Nassau Certificate of Occupancy Selling Checklist for Sellers

Selling in Nassau County soon? One overlooked item can stall a deal: your Certificate of Occupancy. If your permits are not closed or your CO does not match how the home is actually used, lenders and title companies may pause the closing. You want a smooth sale, clear disclosures, and strong buyer confidence. This guide gives you a clear Nassau‑focused CO checklist, where to check, and what to fix before you go live. Let’s dive in.

Certificate of Occupancy basics in Nassau County

What a CO covers

A Certificate of Occupancy confirms the legal use and occupancy of a building or part of a building after permitted work passes final inspections. New York’s Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code sets the baseline rules that local towns and cities enforce. You may also see a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy if a municipality allows occupancy while minor items remain, or a Certificate of Completion or similar document for narrower cases. Learn more about the statewide framework from the New York State Division of Building Standards and Codes and municipal CO processes, including TCOs, on the NYC Buildings overview of obtaining a CO.

Who issues COs locally

In Nassau, the local building department with jurisdiction issues COs. That can be the Town of Hempstead, Town of North Hempstead, Town of Oyster Bay, the City of Long Beach, the City of Glen Cove, or an incorporated village. Start by confirming the correct municipality for your address, then request records from that office.

• Town of Hempstead rules and fees are published in the code, including CO requirements and certified copy fees. Review the town’s code sections on permits and certificates at the Hempstead code portal.
• Town of North Hempstead’s Building Department provides records and online services through its portal. See the North Hempstead Building Department.
• Town of Oyster Bay’s Building Division issues COs and manages permit closeouts. Visit the Oyster Bay Building Division.
• The City of Long Beach issues COs for properties within city limits. Go to the Long Beach Building Department.

Your pre‑listing CO checklist

1. Confirm your CO status

• Pull a certified copy of the current CO or related document and place it in your listing packet. Gaps or inconsistencies can delay underwriting and closing. Town codes detail how to request certified copies and fees, as shown in the Hempstead code.

2. Search for open permits or violations

• Check the municipal portal for open permits, required inspections, or violations. For example, North Hempstead highlights how to access records through its portal at the Building Department site. Open items often block a final CO.

3. Verify permits for past work

• Additions, finished basements, garage conversions, decks, pools, and major electrical, plumbing, or HVAC upgrades usually require permits and final sign‑offs. If work was unpermitted, you may need retroactive permits and inspections before a CO is issued. Town codes, like the Hempstead code, explain these requirements.

4. Check if the home ever needed a CO

• Very old homes may predate modern CO rules. Some towns may issue a certificate recognizing an existing use after inspection. Confirm the policy with your specific town or village before listing.

5. Schedule and pass final inspections

• Typical sign‑offs include building, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC, and in some cases fire suppression or sprinkler systems. New York regulation outlines CO procedures and local enforcement at 19 NYCRR 1202.5.

6. Meet smoke and carbon monoxide requirements

• At closing, sellers of one or two family homes and condo or co‑op units must provide an affidavit that required smoke and, where applicable, carbon monoxide detectors are installed and operable. Review the statutory requirements in New York Executive Law §378 and verify device locations and operation before listing.

7. Understand Temporary COs

• A TCO can allow occupancy while limited items remain, but some lenders and insurers hesitate to accept it. Discuss TCO risks with counsel. See the municipal overview of CO and TCO processes on the NYC Buildings CO page.

8. Address oil tanks, septic, and utilities

• If you have an underground oil tank or a septic system, confirm permit and inspection needs with your town. Keep utility final reads and compliance letters handy. Town code guidance, such as in Hempstead’s code, outlines documentation expectations.

9. Plan for lender and title expectations

• Lenders often require a final CO and closed permits before funding. Title companies rely on municipal records and attorney confirmations. If a CO is not available, you may face escrow holdbacks, TCO conditions, or delays. Review common scenarios in this industry legal guidance on COs and closings.

10. Assemble your documentation

• Create a clean file: certified CO or TCO, full permit history, final inspection reports, contractor certificates, engineer or architect letters, flood certifications if applicable, and any notices on violations. Local codes like Hempstead’s list what municipalities expect.

Fees, timelines, and closing impact

Typical costs

Municipalities charge for applications, inspections, and certified copies. For example, Hempstead’s code lists fees, such as an original CO for a one or two family dwelling and a processing fee for a records search or certified copy. Always confirm the current fee schedule on your town’s site or code, such as the Hempstead code.

How long it can take

Timeline depends on what is open. If you only need a routine final inspection, it can be days. If you need retroactive permits, plan reviews, or corrective work, expect weeks or months. Backlogs and complexity in each town affect timing.

What lenders and title expect

Best case, you deliver a final CO before listing or you negotiate a clear contingency. A common compromise is a TCO or escrow for specific items, but not all lenders or insurers accept that. Worst case, funding is refused and closing is delayed until acceptable CO documentation is in place.

Where to check records in Nassau

• Town of Hempstead: rules, fees, and certificate requirements appear in the Hempstead code.
• Town of North Hempstead: permits, COs, and records via the Building Department.
• Town of Oyster Bay: permits and COs through the Building Division.
• City of Long Beach: COs and permits via the Building Department.
• City of Glen Cove and incorporated villages: contact the specific city or village building department for records and procedures.

Steps to get CO ready fast

1. Confirm the exact jurisdiction for your address and contact that building department.
2. Pull your permit history and request a certified CO copy. Note open permits or violations.
3. If you find open or unpermitted work, consult a licensed contractor and, if needed, an architect or engineer for retroactive plans and inspections.
4. Coordinate early with your listing attorney and anticipate buyer lender and title requirements.
5. Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and prepare the closing affidavit in line with Executive Law §378.
6. Complete final inspections and aim to secure the final CO before you list.

Special note for multi‑family sellers

If you are selling a two to four unit property, make sure the CO matches the legal unit count and use classification. Inspectors will look for proper egress, life safety devices, and any permitted alterations. Delivering a final CO that aligns with the building’s actual use helps avoid lender issues and keeps your timeline on track.

Ready to list with confidence in Nassau County? For a clean launch and fewer surprises, get your CO, permits, and affidavits squared away early. When you want a local, hands‑on strategy to market and close, connect with NMG Properties Inc.

FAQs

Do you need a Certificate of Occupancy to list a home in Nassau?

• You can list without it, but buyers, lenders, and title companies will review municipal records. Pull your CO and permit history early to avoid delays.

How do you get a copy of your CO in Nassau County?

• Request a certified copy from the building department that has jurisdiction over your address. Many towns provide record requests through their websites or portals.

What if older renovations never had permits?

• Municipalities often require legalization through retroactive permits, plans, and inspections before issuing a final CO. Start with the town or village building department to understand next steps.

Will a Temporary CO be enough to close?

• Sometimes, but acceptance varies by lender and insurer. Expect conditions, escrow, or delays if a final CO is not available.

Who pays to close out permits or obtain a CO?

• It is negotiable. Many sellers fix issues before listing, while others structure a price adjustment or escrow. Lenders and title may still require municipal sign‑offs regardless of contract terms.