Stafford Township

Ocean County

Text Client checklist

Certificate of Occupancy

Required

Certificate

Continuing Certificate of Occupancy (Resale C.O. for an existing structure)

Issued by

Building Department (Office of Inspection); housing inspection by the housing official

Requirements

Notarized Heat Certification from the seller or agent that the heating system, water heater and any fireplace or wood/solid-fuel stove were inspected by a professional
Stafford Municipal Utility Authority letter confirming water and sewer service (if on S.M.U.A.); private wells tested by a licensed well driller or tester and approved by the Ocean County Health Department
Lot and exterior in good condition (roofing, siding, no chipped or badly weathered paint)
House numbers on the structure, 3 inches for residential
Chimney caps on all fireplace chimneys
Electrical: no exposed connections or missing plates, secure fixtures with globes on exterior and closet lights, no open spaces in the panel, no extension cords as permanent wiring, ceiling fans permanently wired, service equipment properly supported
Plumbing and heating: proper venting of heating equipment; water heater and boiler relief valves piped down to within 6 inches of the floor; cold on the right and hot on the left; no leaks; metal dryer vents
Smoke detectors within 10 feet of any sleeping area and at least one on each level including the basement; 10-year sealed battery alarms where battery alarms are used; hardwired alarms may not be replaced with battery alarms
CO detectors within 10 feet of sleeping areas in homes with fuel-burning appliances or an attached garage
Bathroom exhaust fans working if installed
Porches, decks and stairs secure; handrails on stairs with more than 3 risers; guardrails on open sides 30 inches or more above grade
Interior in satisfactory condition with holes repaired and painted

Fees

Resale C.O. (existing structure)

$40.00

Phone

609-597-1000 ext 8563

Application Official page

Smoke and CO alarm certificate

Required

Requirements

Smoke alarms on every living level including the basement; on bedroom levels within 10 feet of the bedroom door
Ceiling mounting preferred; wall alarms 4 to 12 inches below the ceiling, 4 inches from corners and at least 3 feet from air registers
All smoke alarms, including hardwired ones, under 10 years old
By year built: before 1978 at least one 10-year sealed battery alarm per level; 1978 to 1983 hardwired alarms on each level; 1984 to 1990 interconnected hardwired alarms with battery backup on each level; 1991 to present interconnected hardwired alarms with battery backup in bedrooms and on each level
Hardwired detectors cannot be replaced with battery detectors
CO alarms in the immediate vicinity of sleeping areas in homes with a fuel-burning device or attached garage; battery-only and plug-in CO alarms under 5 years old; combination smoke/CO alarms under 10 years old
Homes with a generator, solar panels, battery storage or other secondary power source need a printed ANSI Z535.4 label (wording like 'CAUTION: MULTIPLE SOURCES OF POWER') within 18 inches of the main electrical panel and the electric meter
No fire extinguisher item on the current Stafford requirements sheet

Stafford Township Bureau of Fire Prevention (Fire Official)

Fees

10 or more business days notice before closing	$45.00
4 to 10 business days before closing	$90.00
4 business days or less before closing	$161.00
Re-inspection	$25.00

Timing

10 or more business days before closing for the lowest fee; inspections Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 am to 1 pm

Phone

(609) 597-1000 x8577

Application Official page

Last checked September 30, 2026

Sources