Totowa Borough
Certificate of Occupancy
Required- Certificate
- Certificate of Sale (Certificate of Re-sale)
- Issued by
- Borough of Totowa, Office of the Construction Official (Building Department), under Borough Code Chapter 153-14
- Requirements
- Address clearly marked on the house and mailbox
- Smoke alarm on every level and within 10 feet of sleeping areas; carbon monoxide alarm within 10 feet of sleeping areas (Fire Bureau certificate)
- Copy of a property survey, if available
- Private well: a clean well test (or a letter from both attorneys noting the well's condition)
- Check for open permits, illegal construction and illegal 2-family or multi-family use
- Gas appliance vents installed properly; water heater, furnace, boiler or stove chimney connection sealed and secure
- All meters installed (gas, electric, water); water meter with an external reading device
- Water heater pressure relief pipe extends to within 6 inches of the floor
- Grip-size handrails on steps with 4 or more risers; guardrails on porches, steps and walkways more than 30 inches above grade
- No loose or unprotected wires or open electric boxes; hardwired ground fault receptacle for pools and spas
- All required fire separations installed and maintained
- Buyers bring photo ID for all adults who will live in the home and birth certificates for minor children
- The 2024 packet also lists a portable fire extinguisher (2.5 to 10 lb ABC within 10 feet of the kitchen); the Fire Bureau's current sheet says it is no longer required
- Fees
Certificate of Re-sale, single family (one of two $100.00 checks: 1 for resale, 1 for the fire certificate) $100.00 Certificate of Re-sale, two family (one of two $200.00 checks: 1 for resale, 1 for the fire certificate) $200.00 Certificate of Sale application fee, single family / two family (application page) $100.00 / $200.00 Fire Bureau smoke detector and carbon monoxide certificate, single family home $100.00 Fire Bureau smoke detector and carbon monoxide certificate, two family home $200.00 - Timing
- Not stated for the certificate; the Water Department's meter compliance application in the same packet must be filed at least 2 weeks before closing
- Phone
- (973) 956-1000 ext. 1016
Smoke and CO alarm certificate
Required- Requirements
- One smoke alarm in the basement and on each floor (unfinished attics excluded), and within 10 feet of the outside of bedroom doors
- Battery-only smoke alarms must have a 10-year sealed lithium battery (since 1/1/19); all smoke alarms less than 10 years old and UL listed
- Existing hardwired smoke or smoke/CO alarms must stay hardwired and cannot be replaced with battery alarms
- Carbon monoxide alarm within 10 feet of bedrooms (outside the bedroom), less than 10 years old; CO alarms on all floors recommended
- Monitored alarm systems must be tested or serviced first, with a report from the alarm company (detectors under 10 years old) available to the inspector
- Fire extinguisher no longer required (per the Fire Bureau sheet); the 2024 Certificate of Sale packet still lists one
Last checked October 2, 2026