Totowa Borough

Certificate of Occupancy Required

Certificate of Sale (Certificate of Re-sale) · Borough of Totowa, Office of the Construction Official (Building Department), under Borough Code Chapter 153-14

• 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

• Phone: (973) 956-1000 ext. 1016
• 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
• Application: https://www.totowanj.org/_files/ugd/3cc0e2_33396db322df4c78b6f0ac77b6b35be5.pdf

Smoke and CO alarm certificate Required

• 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