How to Look Up a Certificate of Occupancy

After a building is finished in most communities, the local building department sends out an inspector to ensure that the structure complies with the applicable building code. If everything checks out, a certificate of occupancy gets issued. While the certificate of occupancy is typically needed to close on a newly constructed property, you also may need it for other purposes. The process of looking up a certificate of occupancy varies, but going through the local building or building inspection department and paying a fee is a common requirement.


Determine whether the property you're asking about is one that would require a certificate of occupancy in the first place. Bear in mind that some city building departments, such as those in Sacramento or Chicago, don't issue them for single-family residences.


Gather the necessary paperwork you'll need to make your request. This varies based on your location. In San Francisco, for example, you would download the "Records Request Form" from the website of the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection.


Complete the form by including the address of the building of interest, your contact information and checking the boxes corresponding to the documents that you want. Don't forget to sign the application and include a phone number where you can be reached when the department finds the building's certificate.


Mail the form to the address or fax it to the fax number and wait to be contacted. Save a copy of the completed form, as well, since you may need it again.


  • The procedure here is specific to the City and County of San Francisco, but is roughly similar to what other cities use. In New York City, for example, you'll have to bring the original Certificate of Occupancy number, available online, to the corresponding borough's Departmet of Building.

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