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WatchdogResale CO checklist

Vernon Township

Sussex County, New Jersey · Checked October 4, 2026

Certificate of Occupancy Required

Residential Dwelling Re-occupancy Inspection / Re-occupancy Certificate · Vernon Township Department of Fire Prevention (Fire Prevention Bureau)

  • Re-occupancy inspection before a 1 or 2 family dwelling is sold, leased or changes occupancy (Code Section 250-21)
  • Working smoke detectors on each level and outside each separate sleeping area; battery units must be 10-year sealed; hardwired units must be replaced with hardwired
  • Carbon monoxide alarms within 10 feet of a bedroom on each level
  • At least one portable fire extinguisher, no more than 10 lbs, labeled 2A10BC, within 10 feet of the kitchen (Township page still lists it)
  • Property maintenance and compliance with Township ordinances
  • Structure must match Tax Assessor and Building Department records; open permits must be inspected and closed
  • Construction Records Clearance Application filed with the Building Department
  • Vacant and Abandoned Residential Properties Approval Sheet signed by the Zoning Officer or the Clerk's office, for every re-occupancy request
Re-occupancy and smoke detector certificate, request received more than 10 business days before the change of occupancy$100.00
Request received 5 to 10 business days before the change of occupancy$150.00
Request received 4 business days or less before the change of occupancy$200.00
Re-occupancy checklist review and inspection (Code fee quoted on the Township page)$25
Construction Records Clearance, request more than 10 calendar days before closing$40.00
Construction Records Clearance, request within 10 calendar days of closing$75.00
Construction Records Clearance, request within 4 calendar days of closing$125.00
  • Phone: 973-764-4055 ext. 2272
  • Timing: Fee tiers count business days between the Fire Prevention Bureau's receipt of the application and the closing; more than 10 business days for the lowest fee. Mailed applications count from the day the Bureau receives them. The inspection is scheduled once the completed application and fee are received.
  • Application: https://www.vernontwp.com/images/FP_Reoccup_Applic_7312026.pdf

Smoke and CO alarm certificate Required

  • Smoke detectors on each level of the premises and outside each separate sleeping area
  • Battery smoke and CO detectors must be 10-year sealed (tamper resistant); hardwired detectors must be replaced with hardwired
  • Carbon monoxide alarms within 10 feet of a bedroom on each level
  • Smoke and CO detectors in condo lofts
  • At least one portable fire extinguisher, no more than 10 lbs, 2A10BC label, within 10 feet of the kitchen (Township page still lists it)

Vernon Township Department of Fire Prevention (Fire Prevention Bureau)

Re-occupancy and smoke detector certificate, request received more than 10 business days before the change of occupancy$100.00
Request received 5 to 10 business days before the change of occupancy$150.00
Request received 4 business days or less before the change of occupancy$200.00