Certificate of Occupancy (CO)

At the conclusion of all completed work done under a permit, including all applicable Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing or Fire Code regulations, the Code Enforcement Official will final that particular permit (B,E,M,P). When all permits related to a project have been finaled AND all Fire Codes, State and local laws, local ordinances and regulations have been satisfied (and the agency responsible for enforcing the local ordinance or regulations has released its holds on the project), Code Enforcement will issue a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) per NCGS 160D-403(g).

No building, structure, or use of land that is subject to a building permit required by Article 11 of Chapter 160D shall be occupied or used until Code Enforcement has issued a Certificate of Occupancy. Violation of this section constitutes a misdemeanor under NCGS 160D-1116.

On projects that are "non-CO'able", meaning they do not receive a CO, the contractor of record will be assessed defect charges based on the same criteria as a project that would receive a CO.

HOW TO PRINT A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY

As soon as a CO is issued, a copy may be printed from the Internet Permit and Inspection System.  At the system's main page, View the Permit by Address or Permit Number.  A link to the document will be visible on the right side of the page. 

For further information about Certificates of Occupancy, please contact Documents and Inspections at 980-314-CODE(2633)​.