Certificate of Occupancy

A Certificate of Occupancy (CO) tells you how you can legally use a building.

New buildings need a CO. Existing buildings need a CO if there is a change in use, exit routes or type of occupancy. You cannot use a building until the Department gives you a CO or a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO).

A CO shows that:

• The work done follows all laws.
• All paperwork is complete.
• All fees are paid.
• All violations are fixed.
• All needed approvals from other City agencies are received.

The Department gives a final CO when the work matches the plans for new buildings or major alterations.

For minor alterations that do not need a new or updated CO, you may get a Letter of Completion.

For buildings built or altered before 1938, if a CO was not needed then, you may get a Letter of No Objection to confirm the legal use of the building.

Visit the Certificate of Occupancy website for more details about the CO process and requirements.

For more information on a specific property, visit the Buildings Information System at www.nyc.gov/bis or the DOB NOW public portal at www.nyc.gov/dobnow.