Phillipsburg Town

Warren County

Certificate of Occupancy

Required

Certificate

Certificate of Habitability (CH)

Issued by

Town of Phillipsburg Office of Inspections (Inspections / Building Dept)

Requirements

Smoke alarms: at least one working alarm on each level and within 10 feet of each sleeping area; battery alarms must be listed 10-year sealed type; wired alarms may not be replaced with battery alarms
CO alarms within 10 feet of each sleeping area (hardwired, plug-in or battery)
Fire extinguisher: 2A:10-B:C minimum, 10 pounds maximum, mounted within 10 feet of the kitchen (not near the stove), no higher than 5 feet, new or tagged
House numbers at least 4 inches, visible from all facing streets and alleys
Yard, fences, sheds, sidewalks and curbs kept free of weeds, debris and trip hazards
Exterior in good repair: no rotten wood or peeling paint, roof, siding, gutters, downspouts, chimney and foundation in good condition
Handrails on stairs with more than four risers; guardrails on porches and decks 30 inches or taller
Interior clean, walls, ceilings and floors free of breaks or flaking paint; old unused appliances, water heaters, boilers and oil tanks removed
Electrical: at least two receptacles per room, GFCI in bathrooms, kitchen counters and outside, grounded or GFCI three-prong outlets, covered boxes, no visible knob-and-tube wiring or fuse panels
Proof of professional heating system service; no plumbing leaks; approved fittings; property connected to town sewer
Other violations under the 2000 International Property Maintenance Code and town code may be cited

Fees

Certificate for sale or transfer, per unit (1 to 19 units per lot)	$100
Conditional certificate (buyer affidavit), plus $50 per covered unit beyond 5	$100
Conditional certificate affidavit, buyer who did not pay for the CH inspection	$100

Timing

A minimum of 2 weeks is usually required

Phone

908-454-5500 ext 346

Required

Requirements

The town's Certificate of Habitability inspection checks smoke alarms, CO alarms and a fire extinguisher (see resale certificate requirements); the town's 2022 guide still lists a fire extinguisher (2A:10-B:C, max 10 pounds, within 10 feet of the kitchen, no higher than 5 feet)

Fees

Request received more than 10 business days before change of occupancy	$45.00
Request received 4 to 10 business days before change of occupancy	$90.00
Request received fewer than 4 business days before change of occupancy	$161.00

Timing

More than 10 business days before the change of occupancy for the lowest fee

Last checked September 30, 2026

Sources