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Certificate of occupancy

A certificate of occupancy (CO) is the building department’s statement that a building, or a new part of one, complies with the code and may be lived in or used. New homes need one; additions, conversions and changes of use often do; most repairs and remodels do not, and close with a passed final inspection instead.

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On this page
  1. The model code (IRC R110)
  2. Certificates in major cities
  3. Sources

The model code (IRC R110)

The International Residential Code is a model code; it applies only where adopted, often amended. The wording below is from published government copies.

  • …no building or structure erected or altered in any municipality after October 1, 1970, shall be occupied or used, in whole or in part, until a certificate of occupancy has been issued by the building official…1 As published by Connecticut (statewide) (2022 CSBC amendments to the 2021 IRC).
  • (Add) R110.10 Certificate of approval. The building official shall issue a certificate of approval indicating substantial compliance with the requirements of this code for all completed work that requires a building permit but does not require a certificate of occupancy.1 As published by Connecticut (statewide) (2022 CSBC amendments to the 2021 IRC).

Certificates in major cities

CityCertificate issued
New York City, NYCertificate of occupancy required to use or occupy a building2
Los Angeles, CACertificate of Occupancy required before use/occupancy (issued without charge after final approvals)3
Chicago, ILNo CO for single-trade permits, residential buildings with 3 or fewer units, or non-residential work up to 10,000 sq ft4
Phoenix, AZCertificate of Occupancy generated automatically when required inspections pass; green tag where no new CofO is required5
San Antonio, TXCertificate of occupancy6
San Diego, CACertificate of Occupancy (not issued for site-built single-family or duplex structures)7
Jacksonville, FLCertificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Completion8
Charlotte, NCCertificate of Occupancy ($10.00 each)9
Columbus, OHPermit closes automatically after final inspection10
Indianapolis, INNo Certificate of Occupancy; a Certificate of Completion and Compliance is filed by the permit holder11
San Francisco, CACertificate of Final Completion and Occupancy12
Seattle, WAApproval to occupy after final inspection (Certificate of Occupancy may be required for projects other than single-family homes and duplexes)13
Denver, COCertificate of Occupancy for new IRC dwellings / changes of occupancy; otherwise final inspection approval or Certificate of Compliance14
Oklahoma City, OKCertificate of occupancy (fee $25 each); TCOs not issued for residential15
Nashville, TNUse and Occupancy letter16
El Paso, TXCertificate of Occupancy (existing building C of O permit $110)17
Las Vegas, NVCertificate of Occupancy required before use or occupancy18
Boston, MACertificate of Occupancy, required for new construction, major renovations that change a building’s use, occupancy, egress or life safety systems, and change of use or occupancy (or if the property has no CO); issued within 10 days after passed inspections and approved documents19
Detroit, MICertificate of Acceptance (C of A) for approved permitted work20
Louisville, KYCertificate of Occupancy or Letter of Acceptance21
Portland, ORPermit is not complete until an inspector approves the work22
Memphis, TNCertificate of completion may be issued23
Baltimore, MDOccupancy permit (Baltimore's name for a certificate of occupancy)24
Milwaukee, WIApprovals recorded on the permit sticker25
Albuquerque, NMCertificate of Occupancy required before use or occupancy26
Tucson, AZApproved final inspection constitutes the CofO for IRC and Group U structures27
Fresno, CACertificate of Occupancy fee listed for multifamily/commercial only29
Sacramento, CANo certificate of occupancy for residential structures; C of O for commercial work30
Atlanta, GACertificate of Occupancy issued by building inspectors when appropriate31
Mesa, AZCertificate automatically generated when all inspections, conditions and holds are complete32
Kansas City, MOCertificate of occupancy33
Raleigh, NCCertificate of Occupancy (new building, change of use, addition, interior completion) same day after last approved inspection; Certificate of Completion next business day for alterations and repairs34
Colorado Springs, COCertificate of occupancy required before new building is used or occupied (exceptions: Group U occupancies; manufactured buildings per RBC309.15; work exempt under RBC105.2)35
Miami, FLCertificate of Occupancy (new construction/change of use) or Certificate of Completion (remodels, renovations, shell buildings)36
Virginia Beach, VACertificate of occupancy within five working days after final approval37
Oakland, CATemporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) issued only for new (ground-up) projects, new units or a change of occupancy; additions, remodels, alterations and tenant improvements are not issued a TCO38
Minneapolis, MNFinal inspection dated and initialed on permit; property search shows approval39
Tulsa, OKCertificate of Occupancy for new single-family when all inspections pass41
Tampa, FLCertificate of Occupancy for new construction or change of occupancy42
Arlington, TXFinal approval (CO not required for 1- and 2-family structures)43
Aurora, COCertificate of Occupancy (temporary or final) required before occupancy; issued only after all inspection agencies are satisfied44
Philadelphia, PACertificate of Approval45
Austin, TXCertificate of Occupancy upon successful final inspection (new construction or significant renovations)46

Sources

  1. 2022 Connecticut State Building Code (w/ Errata #1)State of Connecticut, Department of Administrative Services, Office of the State Building InspectorEffective October 1, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
  2. 2022 NYC Construction Codes, General Administrative Provisions (Admin. Code Title 28), Chapter 1 AdministrationCity of New York, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
  3. SEC. 91.109. CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY (page also renders SEC. 91.108 INSPECTION)City of Los Angeles (Los Angeles Municipal Code, hosted by American Legal Publishing)Checked November 7, 2026
  4. Permit-Related Building InspectionsCity of Chicago, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
  5. Certificate of OccupancyCity of Phoenix, Planning & Development DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
  6. Chapter 10 Building-Related Codes (2024 International Building-Related Codes), City Code of San AntonioCity of San Antonio, Development Services DepartmentEffective May 1, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  7. Information Bulletin 120: Project InspectionsCity of San Diego, Development Services DepartmentRevised October 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  8. Online/Electronic Permit SubmissionCity of Jacksonville (consolidated City of Jacksonville/Duval County), Public Works Department, Building Inspection DivisionChecked November 7, 2026
  9. Mecklenburg County Government Fee Ordinance, Land Use and Environmental Services (revised July 1, 2026)Mecklenburg County Board of County Commissioners / Land Use and Environmental Services Agency (LUESA)Revised July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  10. BZS Frequently Asked QuestionsCity of Columbus, Department of Building and Zoning ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
  11. Certificate of OccupancyCity of Indianapolis, Department of Business and Neighborhood ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
  12. Information Sheet M-06: Title 24 CEC Certificate of Installation, Verification, and Acceptance Compliance RequirementsCity and County of San Francisco, Department of Building InspectionPublished August 6, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  13. Construction Inspections - Construction and InspectionsCity of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & InspectionsChecked November 7, 2026
  14. 2025 Denver Building Code (2nd Printing, November 2025)City and County of Denver, Community Planning and DevelopmentPublished November 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  15. Certificate of OccupancyCity of Oklahoma City, Development Services Department, Development CenterChecked November 7, 2026
  16. Building Permit ProcessMetropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Department of Codes and Building SafetyLast updated December 10, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
  17. City of El Paso FY2026-2027 Adopted Budget, FY 2027 Schedule C Departmental Fee ListCity of El Paso, Office of Management & BudgetAdopted August 18, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  18. City of Las Vegas Administrative Code, 2019 EditionCity of Las Vegas, Department of Community Development, Building & Safety DivisionPublished 2019Checked November 7, 2026
  19. Certificate of OccupancyCity of Boston, Inspectional Services DepartmentLast updated September 29, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  20. Construction InspectionCity of Detroit, Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED)Checked November 7, 2026
  21. Building Inspections | LouisvilleKY.govLouisville/Jefferson County Metro Government, Department of Codes and Regulations, Office (Division) of Construction ReviewChecked November 7, 2026
  22. Residential Permit InspectionsCity of Portland, Portland Permitting & DevelopmentChecked November 7, 2026
  23. 2021 Memphis and Shelby County Building Code (joint ordinance and local amendments)Memphis and Shelby County Office of Construction Code EnforcementChecked November 8, 2026
  24. Section 111. Occupancy Permit; Certificate of CompletionCity of Baltimore Law Library (Department of Legislative Reference)Checked November 7, 2026
  25. Milwaukee Code of Ordinances ch. 200 subch. 3 EnforcementCity of Milwaukee, Code of Ordinances (City Clerk, Legislative Reference Bureau)Revised February 6, 2024Checked November 8, 2026
  26. 2024 City of Albuquerque Uniform Administrative Code (Exhibit A)City of Albuquerque, Planning Department, Building Safety DivisionChecked November 7, 2026
  27. City of Tucson Amendments to the 2024 International Building CodeCity of Tucson, Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD)Checked November 7, 2026
  28. Occupancy Certificates City of TucsonCity of Tucson, Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD)Checked November 7, 2026
  29. City of Fresno Master Fee Schedule - Planning & Development Fees (effective 07/01/2026)City of Fresno, Planning and Development DepartmentEffective July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  30. Inspections FAQsCity of Sacramento, Community Development Department, Building DivisionChecked November 7, 2026
  31. Office of Buildings: inspections info sheetCity of Atlanta, Department of City Planning, Office of BuildingsChecked November 6, 2026
  32. Residential ConstructionCity of Mesa, Development Services DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
  33. Committee Substitute for Ordinance No. 200418, Compared Version (Chapter 18 Building and Rehabilitation Code)City of Kansas City, Missouri, Office of the City Clerk (Legistar legislative record)Adopted June 2020Checked November 7, 2026
  34. Permit Portal: A Quick Reference GuideCity of Raleigh, Planning and DevelopmentChecked November 7, 2026
  35. 2023 Pikes Peak Regional Building Code, 2nd PrintingPikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD)Published June 30, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  36. Get a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) or Completion (CC)City of Miami, Building DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
  37. 13VAC5-63-160. Section 116 Certificates of occupancyCommonwealth of Virginia, Division of Legislative Automated Systems (Virginia Administrative Code)Effective January 18, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
  38. Building Permits | City of Oakland, CACity of Oakland, Planning & Building DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
  39. On-site InspectionsCity of Minneapolis, Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED), Construction Code Services / Minneapolis Development ReviewLast updated June 9, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  40. Certificate of OccupancyCity of Minneapolis, Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED), Construction Code Services / Minneapolis Development ReviewLast updated June 4, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  41. Residential Building Permit Review Flowchart / Inspection FlowchartCity of Tulsa, Development Services DepartmentPublished 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  42. Construction Services FAQCity of Tampa, Development & Growth Management Department, Construction Services DivisionLast updated September 21, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  43. Technical BulletinsCity of Arlington, Planning & Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
  44. Checklist for CO or TCO (Revised 06/2025, Form #A115)City of Aurora, Development Services Department, Building DivisionRevised June 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  45. Get a Building PermitCity of Philadelphia, Department of Licenses and InspectionsChecked November 7, 2026
  46. Certificate of Occupancy | Austin Development ServicesCity of Austin, Austin Development ServicesChecked November 7, 2026