Contact Info

Jersey City – Change of Use (COU) & Continued Certificate of Occupancy (CCO) Guide

Create an account using an active email:
JCNJ.ORG/PERMITPORTAL
_______________________________________

Understanding the Difference:

Change of Use (COU):

A Change of Use permit is required when the type of business or building use changes. Example:
Office → Restaurant,
Barber Shop → Grocery Store This process requires zoning review and construction approvals before a new Certificate of Occupancy is issued.

Continued Certificate of Occupancy (CCO):

A CCO is required when the property use stays the same, but no Certificate of Occupancy is on record.A CCO is typically required before selling or leasing a property. It verifies that the building complies with:
  • Building codes
  • Fire safety regulations
  • Zoning requirements
  • Smoke & carbon monoxide detector requirements

________________________________________

PROCESS 1:
Change of Use (COU)

Step 1: Zoning Office

1. Verify Zoning

Check the Zoning Map to confirm the property allows the intended use. If unsure, request a Zoning Determination Letter through the permit portal.

Requirements:

  1. Letter of Intent
  2. Photo of the front of the property

2. Apply for Zoning Review

If zoning appears compliant, submit a Zoning Review Application.

Requirements for Zoning Review Application:

  1. Architectural plans prepared by a licensed Architect or Engineer
  2. F100 Application
  3. F110 Application
  4. NJDCA Form signed and sealed by the Architect or Engineer
  5. Photo of the front and back of the property

Once approved:

Zoning will upload approved plans with an approval stamp to the portal. Print one copy of the approved plans, signed and sealed by the architect/engineer. These will be required when you physically submit forms to the Construction Office.

Step 2: Construction Office

Apply for a Change of Use (COU) in the permit portal. Note, the work description on all technical forms must state the Change of Use. Example:
“Change of Use from Barber Shop to Grocery Store.”  

Required Forms for COU Applications:

  1. Contacts of contractors (Electrical, Fire, Plumber, Principal) + Responsible Person in Charge).
  2. Applicable Applications:
  • Responsible Person in Charge
  • F100 – Construction Jacket
  • F110 – Building Technical Section
  • F120 – Electrical Technical Section
  • F130 – Plumbing Technical Section
  • F140 – Fire Technical Section
Once submitted in the Tyler System, bring one set of all physical application forms of zoning-approved plans to the Construction Code Office at
1 Jackson Square, Jersey City NJ, 07305  


Step 3: Approvals

  • The division has 20 business days to review applications and issue permits.
  • After permits are issued, you must schedule inspections through the portal to confirm no unauthorized work has been done.

________________________________________

PROCESS 2:
Certificate of Occupancy (CO) and Continued Certificate of Occupancy (CCO)

Determine which application is needed. A CCO is only required if the use is the same but there is no CO on file. 

Step 1: OPRA Request

Submit an Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request to determine whether a Certificate of Occupancy already exists.

If a CO Exists:

  • Email the Request of a Non-CO Letter to update the business name to the Construction Code Office at [email protected].
  • Submit Fee: $50

If a CO does NOT Exist:

Proceed with a CCO Application in the permit portal.

Step 2: Submit CCO Application at Construction Office:

Requirements

  • Applicant contact information
  • UCC-270 Form

Step 3: Application Review

The Construction Office will determine whether a CCO is sufficient or if a new Certificate of Occupancy (CO) is required. If a CO is required, the application will be reassigned to Zoning for review.

If the review determines that the business requires a Change of Use, the Change of Use (COU) process must be completed instead.

Step 4: CCO Inspections

If a new CO is NOT required, the office will schedule inspections, including:
  • Building
  • Electrical
  • Plumbing
  • Fire
If inspections pass:
  • Sub-code officials sign approvals
  • The construction official signs the certificate

Once approved:

  1. All Sub-Code Officials sign off

  2. Construction Official signs off

  3. Final $100 invoice is paid

The Certificate of Occupancy is emailed upon receipt of payment. You must pick up your hard copy of the certificate and occupancy placard from the Construction Code Office at 1 Jackson Square.

The placard must be posted inside the business where employees and customers can see it.

Step 5: CCO Issuance

Final steps:

  1. Pay the $200 fee

  2. CCO is released after payment

  3. For businesses, a signed and sealed letter from an Architect or Engineer stating the use group and occupancy load is required

Certificate Pickup

Pick up the hard copy of the CCO and occupancy placard at 1 Jackson Square, Jersey City NJ, 07305

The placard must be posted inside the business where it is visible to employees and customers.

OUR NEW ONLINE PERMITTING AND LICENSING SYSTEM LAUNCHED IN JUNE 2023!

 

To set up an account, please visit: 

jcnj.org/permitportal

Additional instructions on how to create an account can be found below under Frequently Asked Questions.

The Department of Housing, Economic Development and Commerce has made an exciting change that affects how you apply for permits, upload or see documents and make payments – whether you are renovating your home, building a high rise, registering your rental property or applying for a cannabis license. As a homeowner, contractor, developer, taxi driver – anyone who needs a permit or license to do your work through HEDC, your experience is now simpler, with your application and all support materials – even making payments – in one place.


If you have an existing application that needs to be linked to your new customer portal account, please email [email protected] for assistance.

WHAT THE SOFTWARE WILL ACCEPT AND PROCESS

  • Zoning Determination Letters and plan review applications- including 3rd Unit conversions and signage
  • City Planning Board applications
  • Historic Preservation applications
  • Construction Code applications and inspection requests
  • Housing Preservation registrations, applications and licenses- including lead paint, landlord registrations, tenant petitions and short-term rentals
  • Commerce business license applications
  • JCMUA permit applications
  • Zoning, Construction Code, and Quality of Life violations

All the applications above, which you would formerly find in different locations, are now housed in one place.


CREATING AN ACCOUNT

  • Create an account on the customer portal to submit, pay and track your application. Instructions on how to create an account are below.
  • Existing applications have been migrated to the new system- you will need to create a new account to access them. Once you have done this, please contact [email protected] or our individual offices to link your existing application to your account.

SUPPORT


Staff is available to assist you. Email [email protected] or contact any of our Divisions.


We hope you are excited as we are about this huge step towards modernizing our services. We strive to be New Jersey’s leader in delivering the best possible service to the public.  If you have any questions or concerns about the new software, feel free to reach out to us. And if you like it, we’d love to hear from you too!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

 

HOW DO I CREATE A CUSTOMER PORTAL ACCOUNT?
To set up an online CSS account, please visit jcnj.org/permitportal

Go to the top right and click "Login or Register"


Note: You will not be able to use the same email address for multiple accounts. Each email is account specific.

You will then receive a confirmation email at the address you provided that will direct you back to the setup screen to continue the process.



Next you will have to decide on a username and password. The username can be your email address.



Next you will enter your contact information. Notice that you cannot change the email address. Remember if you are creating a Company Account, enter the name of the Company in the First Name, Last Name, and Company fields. If you are creating a Name account, you do not need to enter a company. When you have completed all the required fields, click Next.



Next you will enter your Contact Address. This may be different than the address of your project. 



Lastly you will need to sign and hit submit.

HOW DO I SUBMIT A CONSTRUCTION PERMIT APPLICATION?
We recommend you use a computer to submit a construction permit application rather than a handheld device.

Once you are registered and logged into your account, click on the following:

Apply --> search box --> type "construction" --> enter --> choose the correct application

portal FAQ 2

Go through the application process, answering all the required questions. Then click "submit".
*YOU ARE NOT DONE YET, BUT ALMOST THERE!*
Go back to your application --> "sub-records" tab --> apply for the appropriate tech card such as - building, plumbing, electrical, fire or elevator.

portal FAQ 3

Please note: all PLANS, Plumbing and Electrical technical forms (tech cards) must be submitted IN PERSON to the Division of the Construction Code Official's Office at One Jackson Square, in additional to submitting them on the portal.
HOW DO I SUBMIT A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY APPLICATION?
Once you are logged into your account, click the following:

Apply --> search for "certificate" --> Apply

portal FAQ 4
HOW DO I REQUEST INSPECTIONS FOR BUILDING PERMITS?
Once you are logged into your account, click the following:

Dashboard --> View My Permits

portal FAQ 5

Locate the permit associated with the inspection type. For example, if you are requesting a footing inspection, it would fall under Building tech card which might look like "BLD123456" or "B-24-1234"

portal FAQ 6

Make sure your permit status is "Issued" --> Click on that permit and the permit page will open. From the permit page --> click "Inspections" --> select your inspection category --> select your desired date

portal FAQ 7

HOW DO I LINK TECHNICAL FORMS TO A SUBMITTED CONSTRUCTION PERMIT APPLICATION?
Once you are logged into your account, click the following:

Go to your main permit application. It usually has a number like "CNST-24-1234". Click on the number to open the permit page.

portal FAQ 9



From the permit page click the following:
"Sub-records" --> "Apply" for the appropriate technical forms (tech cards). 

portal FAQ 10
I'M A LANDLORD. HOW DO I REGISTER MY PROPERTY WITH THE DIVISION OF HOUSING PRESERVATION?
Once you are logged into your account, click the following:

Apply --> Search "1 to 4 Unit" or "5 plus unit" depending on your building --> Apply

portal FAQ 11

I AM AN OWNER AND HAVE ENGAGED A PERMIT PROCESSOR, CONTRACTOR, ARCHITECT AND/OR ENGINEER. DO I NEED A PORTAL ACCOUNT?
If you are an Owner you do not *need* a portal account however we encourage you to register for one and ask your hired professional(s), as the applicant(s), to add you as a contact to every application. This allows you have full visibility into the status of every submission.