Residential Building Inspector B1General Administration, Legal, and EnforcementMedium
A builder has completed a major renovation project on a residential property, including structural alterations and new plumbing/electrical systems. The building official has conducted all required inspections, and all deficiencies have been corrected and approved. What is the final administrative step required before the building can be legally occupied?
- AThe local tax assessor must update the property's assessed value.
- BThe owner must schedule a separate fire department inspection.
- CThe building official must issue a Certificate of Occupancy.
- DThe builder must submit a warranty deed for the property to the building department.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. The building official must issue a Certificate of Occupancy.
A Certificate of Occupancy (CO) is the official document issued by the building official that certifies a building or portion thereof complies with the requirements of the building code and may be legally occupied.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Property tax assessment is a separate governmental function, not a prerequisite for occupancy.
- B. While the fire department may conduct inspections, the CO is the final building code requirement for occupancy.
- D. A warranty deed is a legal document for property transfer, unrelated to code compliance for occupancy.
Certificate of Occupancy (CO)
An official document issued by the building official authorizing occupancy of a building or structure which has been constructed or altered in compliance with the building codes.
- Required for legal occupancy.
- Issued after all final inspections are passed.
- May be temporary or permanent.
Memory trick: After all the work is done, the CO is the key to finally move in.