Which certificates you need to sell or rent a home, town by town in New Jersey
Certificate of occupancy Howell NJ: resale and rental rules
Confirm with the Howell Township offices before you rely on this page. Howell has no municipal residential resale certificate; a sale needs the Fire Bureau's certificate of smoke alarm, carbon-monoxide alarm and secondary power source compliance: $85 when the complete application arrives more than ten business days before the change (first re-inspection included), $125 at four to ten days, $210 at fewer than four; $35 if a third inspection is needed, $50 for a missed appointment; valid six months; inspections Tuesday to Thursday mornings; a fine of up to $500 for selling without it. Landlords file the combined Landlord Registration and Rental Certificate ($250 for a single rental unit, annually or at a change of tenant) and need a lead-safe certificate for pre-1978 units ($125 stand-alone, $75 with the rental inspection). The housing forms are marked revised 1 January 2026. Sources on the town's own site: Certificate of Smoke Alarm, Carbon Monoxide Alarm, and Secondary Power (undated); Howell Township Combined Rental Application (Revised 01-01-2026); Landlord Registration Application (Revised 01-01-2026). State rule for every sale or lease of a one- or two-family home: N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.3 (text). Last checked 24 October 2026.
| Question | Answer | The town's own words |
|---|---|---|
| Municipal certificate needed before a sale | Yes: Certificate of Smoke Alarm, Carbon Monoxide Alarm, and Secondary Power Source Compliance (Fire Bureau; application lists 'Residential Re-Sale' as a reason). No municipal residential resale CO/CCO found - the forms page lists only a Commercial CCO Application | Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.3 -Before any one-and two family or attached single family dwelling is sold, leased, or otherwise made subject to a change of occupancy for residential purposes the owner shall obtain a certificate of Smoke Alarm, Carbon Monoxide Alarm & Secondary Power Source Compliance |
| Municipal certificate needed before a new tenant | Yes: Combined Landlord Registration & Rental Certificate (Department of Community Development & Land Use, Housing) plus the Fire Bureau smoke/CO certificate | This application is a combined Landlord Registration and Rental Registration which shall be due yearly on the |
| Smoke and CO alarm certificate (state rule N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.3) | Howell Township Fire Bureau (Bureau of Fire Prevention), 4567 Route 9 North 2nd floor, 732-938-4500 x2900, fee $85.00 (more than 10 business days before change, includes first re-inspection) / $125.00 (4-10 business days) / $210.00 (fewer than 4 business days) | $85.00. Between Four (4) to Ten (10) business days $125.00. Fewer than Four (4) business days |
| Fee: smoke certificate: complete application more than 10 business days before change of ownership/occupancy (includes first re-inspection) | $85.00 | business days prior to change of Ownership/ Occupancy the application and First Re-inspection Fee is |
| Fee: smoke certificate: 4 to 10 business days before | $125.00 | $85.00. Between Four (4) to Ten (10) business days $125.00. Fewer than Four (4) business days |
| Fee: smoke certificate: fewer than 4 business days before | $210.00 | $210.00. A Re-Inspection fee, if a third inspection is required for compliance with the Certificate of |
| Fee: Combined Landlord Registration & Rental Certificate, single rental unit (annual or at change of tenancy/ownership) | $250.00 | • Combined Landlord Registration & Rental Certificates for property containing single rental unit $250.00 |
| Fee: Residential Rental Certificate per unit on multi-unit property (including smoke/fire/CO) | $150.00 | • Residential Rental Certificate (Including smoke/fire/carbon monoxide) $150.00 |
| Fee: Landlord Registration for property with multiple rental units (annual) | $100.00 | • Landlord Registration for property containing multiple rental units $100.00 |
| Reinspection fee | smoke certificate: $35.00 if a third inspection is needed (first re-inspection included); $50.00 missed-appointment fee. Rental: $100.00 for 3rd and subsequent inspections | • Rental Re-inspection Fee (3rd and subsequent inspections each) $100.00 |
| How long the certificate stays valid | smoke certificate valid six months from issuance (remains valid if the purchaser changes within that period); rental certificate annual on anniversary date or at change of tenancy | Power Source Compliance is valid for six months from the date issued. In the event of a change in |
| How early to apply | more than 10 business days before the change for the $85 fee; inspections Tue-Thu 9am-1pm; certificate issued within 5 business days after a passed inspection | THERE IS A 5 BUSINESS DAY WINDOW FROM THE PASSED INSPECTION TO THE ISSUANCE OF THE CERTIFIATE |
| Who applies | owner of record or an agent authorized by the owner (documentation may be requested) | I hereby certify that I am the owner of record or agent authorized by the owner of record to make this application for a |
| Lead-safe inspection for pre-1978 rentals | stand-alone Lead Safe Certificate $125.00; $75.00 when done with the rental certificate; $25.00 processing fee for third-party certificates; pre-1978 units, every three years or at turnover | Stand-alone Lead Safe Certificate (At three year interval or certificate expiration) $125.00 |
| Last rule change on record | housing forms 'Revised 01-01-2026'; smoke certificate now also covers Secondary Power Source labels (Howell Ordinance 150 Article III) | Revised 01-01-2026 |
| Online application | Yes: https://www.sdlportal.com |