Elizabeth City

Union County

Text Client checklist

Certificate of Occupancy

Required

Certificate

Certificate of Occupancy for Resale (Resale Certificate)

Issued by

City of Elizabeth Bureau of Zoning (Office of Zoning)

Requirements

Inspection by the Zoning Officer for compliance with the City code (Health and Safety, Buildings and Construction, and Land Development chapters)
Smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from Elizabeth Fire Prevention for 1 and 2 family homes (submit a copy of the original)
All outstanding construction permits and construction violation notices must be closed
Any vacant, abandoned or foreclosing property registration fees must be paid
Lead-free or lead-safe certificate for rental single-family, rental two-family and multiple dwelling units built before 1978
Owner certifies the home and other structures meet zoning and that no rubbish, debris or bulk garbage will be left before the new occupancy
List any garage, deck, fence, shed, pool or finished basement on the application

Fees

Resale certificate, condo or 1 family	$60.00
Resale certificate, 2 family	$80.00
Resale certificate, each additional unit	$20
Certificate of occupancy for resale, residential or commercial use (Code Section 17.52.060)	$60.00
Smoke alarm, carbon monoxide alarm and fire extinguisher certificate, inspection scheduled 11 or more days after the application	$40.00
Inspection scheduled 5 to 10 days after the application	$75.00
Inspection scheduled 1 to 4 days after the application	$130.00

Valid for

A temporary certificate of occupancy for resale, when violations remain, may be issued for up to 90 days

Phone

908-820-4096

Application Official page

Smoke and CO alarm certificate

Required

Requirements

Smoke alarms on each level, including basements and attics with built-up walls or gas or electric utilities, and outside each sleeping area within 10 feet of bedrooms; listed to UL 217
Carbon monoxide alarms (UL 2034) on each level and outside each sleeping area; combination smoke/CO and plug-in units are allowed
Battery smoke alarms must be 10-year sealed units; carbon monoxide alarms may not be more than 10 years old
Hardwired (AC powered) alarms must work on AC power and cannot be replaced with battery-only alarms
Fire extinguisher rated 2A-10B:C, mounted and visible within 10 feet of the stove (still listed on the City page and online form)
No security bars or gates on windows unless they have a quick-release, and only on the first floor
Illegal basement or attic tenancy, or major cooking appliances in basements or attics, will delay the certificate
Only the applicant, the realtor or the realtor's representative may accompany the inspector, not a tenant

Elizabeth Fire Prevention Bureau (Elizabeth Fire Department)

Fees

Smoke alarm, carbon monoxide alarm and fire extinguisher certificate, inspection scheduled 11 or more days after the application	$40.00
Inspection scheduled 5 to 10 days after the application	$75.00
Inspection scheduled 1 to 4 days after the application	$130.00

Timing

Fee depends on business days between the application and the inspection date: 11 or more days for the lowest fee. Applications are taken 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on business days. No inspection after the closing date. The certificate is good for 90 days.

Phone

908-820-4040

Application Official page

Last checked October 2, 2026

Sources

Other towns in Union County

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