Who Qualifies for a Certificate of Occupancy?
The Department of Buildings (DOB) does not issue Certificates of Occupancy (COs) for single-family homes or individual condominium and cooperative units. COs are only issued for multi-unit properties, such as:
- A rowhouse with a basement unit
- A building with two or more units, including owner-occupied units
Before You Apply for a New Certificate of Occupancy…
At RentJiffy, we recommend conducting an archives search to check if your property ever had a CO. Why? Because if a previous CO exists, you may only need a change of ownership, which is significantly cheaper than obtaining a brand-new CO (a new CO can be up to 25 times more expensive than a change of ownership).
While we cannot guarantee results, we have successfully located COs dating back to the 1930s! Click here to order an archives search for a small fee.
Reasons for Obtaining a New Certificate of Occupancy
When is a new Certificate of Occupancy required?
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The property does not have and has never had a CO
- If no CO exists, you must first go through a property conversion before applying for a CO.
- Refer to our guide: How to legally convert a property into multiple units or reduce the number of units.
- If you’ve just completed the conversion process through the building permitting system, continue reading.
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Your existing CO does not match the property’s use (type) or number of units (load)
- Example: If the property has three units, but the CO states two units, then you must apply for a new CO. Keep in mind that you must first complete the required conversion process through the building permitting process.
- Refer to our guide: How to legally convert a property into multiple units or reduce the number of units.
- This often happens due to previous unauthorized construction, requiring the conversion process to bring the property into compliance.
How to Apply for a Certificate of Occupancy
If You Have a Certificate of Occupancy from a Previous Owner
If you need to transfer an existing CO from a previous owner, you can initiate the process when applying for your business license at RentJiffy.com.
You will need the following information:
- Previous Certificate of Occupancy number
- Issuance date of the CO
- Total square footage of the property
- Number of parking spaces (if any, even if not rented)
If You Have Just Completed the Conversion Process
Once your property conversion is complete—meaning final inspections have passed and been approved—we can assist with obtaining your Certificate of Occupancy.
Since our online application does not yet handle this scenario, please schedule a call with us for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
My zoning does not allow for a Certificate of Occupancy. Do I have other options?
If your property is in a Single-R zoning district, you cannot obtain a CO for housing purposes. COs are only issued in RF, RA, or other zoning districts that allow multi-family development. However, Single-R districts do permit Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).
To learn more about ADU regulations, refer to our support article: What Is An Accessory Dwelling Unit?
What if ADUs are too restrictive?
If ADUs do not meet your needs, you may apply for a Zoning Variance or Special Exception through the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA). This process requires:
- Submitting architectural plans
- Filing an application for a variance/special exception
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Attending a BZA hearing, where neighbors may provide input
Important Considerations for a Zoning Variance/Special Exception
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The process is expensive and does not guarantee approval
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You must pay fees to the BZA and submit architectural plans
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It may take 30-60 days for a decision
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You still need to apply for building permits and wait for approval before starting construction
We strongly recommend consulting a zoning attorney to assess whether a variance or special exception is a viable option for your property.
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