A certificate of occupancy is a legal document that proves a structure, such as a house or office building, is safe to inhabit. The City's Inspections Department carries out the required reviews and inspections in order for a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) to be issued.

In addition to the property address and owner, a certificate of occupancy will include the following three things:

• Description of specific legal use and type of property: This indicates what the property is classified as from a zoning perspective, such as whether it is zoned for residential, commercial, industrial, retail or mixed-use purposes. It ensures the property is being used as intended.

• Verification that the property is up to code: This serves as proof that the property is in compliance and up to date with housing and building codes.

• Confirmation that the property is suitable to be occupied: This confirms that the property conforms to the codes and standards set by your municipality and the structure is fit for occupancy. Without a CO, the property cannot be legally occupied.

WHEN YOU NEED A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY

In general, minor home renovations will not require a new certificate of occupancy to be issued. However, there are a few home-improvement scenarios when a certificate of occupancy probably will be required, depending on local rules and regulations.

• If you completed a major renovation: When you make significant changes or improvements to a property — for example, fixing up a home that had been condemned, or even completing a family-room addition or adding a new bathroom — you’ll likely need to obtain a certificate of occupancy before you can sell it. That's in addition to needing appropriate building permits upfront.

• If you’ve changed the property type: Every type of residence, such as a condo, multifamily or single-family home, has its own permitting and records that detail the type of property to ensure it is used the way it was intended. (The same goes for commercial properties.) Owners who get a permit to convert their property to a different class will need a certificate of occupancy indicating the change. For example, if you're building a basement apartment that converts a single-family home into a multifamily one, you’ll need to get a certificate after the work is completed to reflect that.

• If it's a newly constructed property: A certificate of occupancy is required as part of the sale of any brand-new home or building. If a property has a new owner or occupant. Trenton requires a new certificate of occupancy each time you sell a property, or when a new tenant moves into a rental property. To ensure you're following regulations, check with your local building or zoning authority.