Passaic City
Certificate of Occupancy
Required- Certificate
- Occupancy Certificate (Continued Occupancy Certificate)
- Issued by
- City of Passaic Inspections & Code, Division of Housing
- Requirements
- Inspection for compliance with Passaic's property maintenance and zoning laws
- Buyer's full contact information on the application (otherwise it is put on hold); the certificate is issued in the buyer's name
- Companies buying must give the registered agent's name and a copy of the certificate of formation
- Buyer signs a notarized Purchaser's Form agreeing that the cellar is used only for storage (no sleeping, dwelling or rooming use, no partition walls)
- Fire Prevention smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm certification is part of the occupancy certificate requirements
- Vacant properties are inspected even without utilities and must stay vacant until violations are fixed and permits are finalized with the Building Department
- Cancel inspections at least 24 hours ahead; open applications are voided 60 days after the compliance date
- Fees
Occupancy Certificate, one family $65.00 Occupancy Certificate, two family $100.00 Expedited certificate (5 days or less), in addition to the certificate fee $300.00 Re-inspection after a missed appointment or when fewer than 60% of units can be inspected ($50 or $20 per unit, whichever is less) $50 or $20 per unit, whichever is less Smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm certification, initial inspection $45.00 Re-inspection $25.00 - Timing
- Apply at least 2 weeks before closing. If the inspection passes and all final approvals are in, the Continued Occupancy Certificate is issued in 5 to 7 business days; expedited service (5 days or less) costs $300.00 extra.
- Phone
- 973-365-5615
Smoke and CO alarm certificate
Required- Requirements
- Smoke detectors and CO detectors on each level (basement, first and second floors; not crawl spaces or unfinished attics), battery or AC powered
- Smoke and CO detectors outside each sleeping area and within 10 feet of bedrooms
- Basement smoke detector as close to the stairwell as possible, not near the furnace; smoke detector in the stairwell to a finished attic
- Smoke detectors in the common areas of two family homes
- Occupied attics (where permitted): exterior flashing strobe connected to the smoke detectors at the roof peak on the street side (City Ordinance 125-3 L)
- The City's current requirements sheet and form still call for a mounted, charged 2A-10BC fire extinguisher in or within 10 feet of the kitchen
Last checked October 2, 2026
Sources
- https://www.cityofpassaic.com/DocumentCenter/View/10397/Guidelines-to-Apply-for-Occupancy--Temporary-Occupancy-Certificates
- https://www.cityofpassaic.com/DocumentCenter/View/12159/One-Family---OC-Application
- https://www.cityofpassaic.com/DocumentCenter/View/12080/1-Family-Purchaser-Form
- https://www.cityofpassaic.com/248/Housing