Certificate of occupancy
A document from the city or county saying the building is legal to occupy. Required for new construction and often for major renovations. No CO, no move-in.
Every term like this one lights up in the step you're on.
Free to set up. No credit card.Part 1 of 4
Why a seller cares
In some cities a home cannot change hands without a certificate of occupancy, sometimes a fresh one from an inspection before closing. Where that applies, it is the seller's step, and it can take weeks.
Part 2 of 4
A simple example
Your city requires a resale certificate of occupancy. An inspector visits, flags a missing smoke detector and a handrail, and issues the certificate after they are fixed.
| Where you are | What the CO means for the sale |
|---|---|
| A city with resale inspections | A municipal inspection and certificate before closing, arranged by the seller |
| A finished addition with no CO | A permit-closing process, or a disclosure and a nervous buyer |
| Most places | The original CO is in the file and nothing more is asked |
Where a CO is part of a sale, it is a deadline with an inspector attached.
Part 3 of 4
What people get wrong
That a CO is only for new construction. Some towns want a fresh one on every resale, and the seller finds out at contract.
Part 4 of 4 · where to read next
Where it appears in the sale
What a definition is, and what it isn't
Keighbor is a software company, not a law firm, brokerage, or tax adviser. This is general information, not legal, tax, financial, or real estate advice about your sale. Your situation may differ. Before acting on a contract, disclosure, title, tax, or pricing question, ask an appropriately licensed professional in your state.
Written and researched by Keighbor Research · drawn from the reference glossary · how we research and check what we publish
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