Stafford Township

Certificate of Occupancy Required

Continuing Certificate of Occupancy (Resale C.O. for an existing structure) · Building Department (Office of Inspection); housing inspection by the housing official

• 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

• Phone: 609-597-1000 ext 8563
• Application: https://www.staffordnj.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5917/2023-Updated---Existing-Structures-CO-Application

Smoke and CO alarm certificate Required

• 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