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WatchdogResale CO checklist

Clifton City

Passaic County, New Jersey · Checked October 2, 2026

Certificate of Occupancy Required

Dwelling Certificate (Certificate of Inspection for 1 & 2 family dwellings, sale) · Clifton Fire Department, Fire Prevention Bureau, after Building, Tax and Zoning Department sign-off

  • No open permits on the property (Building Department check and stamp on the application)
  • Tax and Zoning Department approval (the Zoning Officer reviews and approves all Dwelling Certificates)
  • Smoke alarms on every level (basement, each floor), excluding crawl spaces and unfinished attics with pull-down stairs
  • Smoke alarm within 10 feet of the bedroom doors on any floor with bedrooms
  • All smoke alarms less than 10 years old; battery-only alarms must be 10-year sealed battery units; existing hardwired systems must be kept
  • Carbon monoxide alarms within 10 feet outside all sleeping areas, with more on each floor that has sleeping areas
  • Central station fire alarm must be tested beforehand by a Division of Fire Safety certified company; bring the test record or the inspection fails
  • Multiple sources of power label within 18 inches of the electrical panel and meter for homes with a generator, solar or battery storage (the Bureau supplies and installs the label at the inspection)
  • An adult over 18 must be present and all areas (unit, basement, attic, common areas) must be accessible
Dwelling certificate, sale, per unit (one certificate covers the town requirement and the smoke and carbon monoxide certificate; paid once)$125.00 per unit
Expedited: certificate available within 4 to 20 days, per unit (paid instead of the standard fee)$200 per unit
Expedited: certificate available within 4 business days, per unit (paid instead of the standard fee)$300 per unit
Dwelling certificate (smoke and carbon monoxide compliance), sale, per unit (same certificate and fee as the town requirement; paid once)$125.00 per unit
Expedited: certificate available within 4 to 20 days, per unit$200 per unit
Expedited: certificate available within 4 business days, per unit$300 per unit

Smoke and CO alarm certificate Required

  • Smoke alarms on every level and within 10 feet of bedroom doors; all under 10 years old
  • Battery-only smoke alarms must be 10-year sealed battery units; existing hardwired systems must be maintained
  • CO alarms (UL 2034) within 10 feet outside all sleeping areas, on each floor with sleeping areas
  • Central station fire alarm test record from a Division of Fire Safety certified company is required at the inspection; inspectors will not test it
  • Multiple sources of power label for homes with a generator, solar or battery storage (supplied and installed by the Bureau at the inspection)
  • The City's Fire Department FAQ still says a dry chemical fire extinguisher, at least 10BC rated and no more than 10 pounds, is needed for the dwelling inspection; the May 2025 packet does not list one

Clifton Fire Department, Fire Prevention Bureau

Dwelling certificate (smoke and carbon monoxide compliance), sale, per unit (same certificate and fee as the town requirement; paid once)$125.00 per unit
Expedited: certificate available within 4 to 20 days, per unit$200 per unit
Expedited: certificate available within 4 business days, per unit$300 per unit