Which certificates you need to sell or rent a home, town by town in New Jersey
Certificate of occupancy Passaic NJ: resale and rental rules
Confirm with the City of Passaic offices before you rely on this page. Passaic requires an Occupancy Certificate from the Division of Housing for a one-family sale ($65, applied for at least two weeks before closing, issued five to seven business days after passing, with a $300 surcharge for expedited service in five days or less), which includes the Fire Prevention smoke and carbon-monoxide certification ($45 initial inspection, $25 re-inspection, valid three months). Landlords file a Landlord-Tenant Registration for each tenancy ($25) and pre-1978 rentals need a lead inspection ($150 per unit plus a $25 city fee and the $20 state fee). The forms are undated; the fire form still checks for a fire extinguisher near the kitchen. Sources on the town's own site: Occupancy Certificate Application - One Family (undated); Division of Housing: Applying for Occupancy Certificates (undated); Application for Certification of Smoke Detector & Carbon Monoxide Alar (undated). 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: Occupancy Certificate / Continued Occupancy Certificate (Division of Housing), which includes the Fire Prevention smoke/CO certification | THIS CERTIFICATION IS PART OF THE OCCUPANCY CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SALE/PURCHASE OF A |
| Municipal certificate needed before a new tenant | Yes: Landlord-Tenant Registration per tenancy (Chapter 185-3) with Occupancy Certificate on file; per-tenant re-inspection not stated | OWNERS: There must be a copy of your Occupancy Certificate included with this submission. |
| Smoke and CO alarm certificate (state rule N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.3) | City of Passaic Fire Prevention (330 Passaic St, 973-365-5687), fee $45.00 initial inspection | CITY OF PASSAIC – FIRE PREVENTION INITIAL INSPECTION FEE: $45.00 |
| Fee: Occupancy Certificate, one family | $65.00 | CITY OF PASSAIC | INSPECTIONS & CODE CERTIFICATE FEE: $65.00 |
| Fee: Expedited Continued OC or TCO (five days or less) | $300.00 added | This service fee is $300.00 and completed within five (5) days or less. |
| Fee: Fire Prevention smoke/CO certification, initial inspection | $45.00 | CITY OF PASSAIC – FIRE PREVENTION INITIAL INSPECTION FEE: $45.00 |
| Fee: Landlord-Tenant Registration processing | $25.00 | APPLICATION PROCESSING FEE $25.00 |
| Fee: Tenant registration filed more than 30 days after OC issuance | $25.00 per dwelling unit | registration fee of $25.00 per dwelling unit will be applied. |
| Reinspection fee | $25.00 (fire); housing: missed/short appointment re-inspection fee $50 or $20 per unit, whichever is less | OFFICE: 973-365-5687 RE-INSPECTION FEE: $25.00 |
| How long the certificate stays valid | Fire certification 3 months; Temporary OC 30 days; OC application void if open more than 60 days after compliance date | NOTE: CERTIFICATION IS VALID FOR THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER APPROVAL DATE AND ONLY APPROVED FOR USE |
| How early to apply | At least two weeks before closing; certificate issued 5-7 business days after passing | Occupancy Certificate (OC): Recommended to apply at least two (2) weeks prior to closing date. |
| Who applies | Owner or duly authorized agent; certificate issued under buyer's name | APPLICANT OF FULL AGE, BEING DULY SWORN ON HIS OATH SAYS THAT HE/SHE IS THE OWNER (OR DULY |
| Lead-safe inspection for pre-1978 rentals | $150 per unit visual inspection + $25 per unit city admin fee (1-2 family; $10 other) + $20 DCA fee; dust wipe $600 optional | Visual assessment inspection fee of $150 per unit. |
| Last rule change on record | Current form shows $65.00 OC fee; a first-reading Ordinance 2515-26 raising the fee from $50 to $65 was indexed by search but the PDF now returns 404 | CITY OF PASSAIC | INSPECTIONS & CODE CERTIFICATE FEE: $65.00 |