Certificate of Occupancy
A Certificate of Occupancy (CO) documents the legal use and/or occupancy of a building. If planned construction will create a new building, or will result in a change of use, egress, or occupancy for an existing building, a new or amended Certificate of Occupancy is necessary.
A final Certificate of Occupancy will be issued when the completed work complies with the submitted plans and applicable laws, all paperwork is completed, all necessary approvals have been obtained from other appropriate City agencies, all fees owed to the Department are paid, and all relevant violations are resolved. A new building cannot be legally occupied until either a final or a temporary Certificate of Occupancy has been issued.
M.Arch Architects provides planning, permitting, and expediting. We provide all architectural documents and permitting forms necessary to complete DOB applications for CO. We conduct construction site observations, inspections, and sign offs for Certificates of Occupancy, and Temporary Certificates of Occupancy.
A Temporary Certificate of Occupancy has an expiration date, usually 90 days after its date of issuance. This means that while the Department has determined that the house or apartment building is safe to occupy, the approval is only temporary and is subject to expiration.
Change of use for two retail stores at base of 100 Riverside Blvd.
Harlem Townhouse new Certificate of Occupancy from a 7-family to a 3-family