Certificate of Occupancy (CO)

A Certificate of Occupancy, or CO, is a document from the local building department confirming that a structure meets code and is legally safe to occupy. It is most often required for new construction, a major renovation, or a change in use, such as converting a two-family into condos. The CO is issued after final inspections of the building, electrical, plumbing, and fire systems pass. For an ordinary resale of an existing single-family home in Rhode Island or Massachusetts, a new CO usually is not required, though some cities demand a certificate of compliance or a smoke and carbon monoxide detector inspection before transfer. Do not confuse the CO with a private home inspection: the CO is the municipality signing off on code, while a home inspection is your own independent look at the property's condition.