New Jersey § 52:27d-133

§ 52:27d-133.

No building or structure hereafter constructed shall be used or occupied in whole

or in part until a certificate of occupancy shall have been issued by the enforcing

agency. No building or structure hereafter altered, in whole or in part, shall be used or

occupied until such a certificate has been issued, except that any use or occupancy

in an already existing building or structure that was not discontinued during its

alteration may be continued in the preexisting structure for 30 days after the completion

of the alteration without the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. A certificate of occupancy shall be issued by the enforcing agency when all of the

work covered by a construction permit shall have been completed in accordance with

the permit, the code, and other applicable laws and ordinances. In the case of any new home subject to sales surcharge pursuant to P.L.1991, c. 202 ( C.46:3B-13 et al.) a certificate of occupancy shall not be issued except after presentation

of a receipt, or verified duplicate thereof, from the Department of Community Affairs

evidencing the payment of the surcharge. On request of a holder of a construction permit, the appropriate enforcing agency

may issue a temporary certificate of occupancy for a building or structure, or part

thereof, before the entire work covered by the construction permit has been completed,

if the part or parts of the building or structure to be covered by the certificate

may be occupied prior to completion of all work in accordance with the permit, the

code, and other applicable laws and ordinances, without endangering the health and

safety of the occupants or users. When a building or structure is entitled thereto, the enforcing agency shall issue

a certificate of occupancy within 10 business days after receipt of a written application

therefor in accordance with regulations established by the commissioner on a form

prescribed by the commissioner accompanied by payment of a fee to be established by

the municipal governing body by ordinance in accordance with standards established

by the commissioner. The certificate of occupancy shall certify that the building or structure has been

constructed in accordance with the provisions of the construction permit, the code,

and other applicable laws and ordinances.