Certificate of Occupancy

PLEASE NOTE: TO IMPROVE THE USER EXPERIENCE, WE ARE TRANSITIONING TO A NEW ONLINE PERMITTING PORTAL.
The permitting portal will be down for existing and active permits beginning on Friday, June 28, reopening on Monday, July 8. All online and in-person permitting transactions, including scheduling of inspections, Certificates of Occupancy or Completion, payments for permitting, and Plan Reviews will be unavailable during this time. The OpenGov portal will be available to accept all new permit types beginning on Wednesday, July 3.

To learn more, register for an upcoming seminar on July 23, 2024 Build Seminar: OpenGov - The New Online Permitting Portal (sandyspringsga.gov) 
Link existing permits: The City has created a simple online form for you to use to request this information located here: http://spr.gs/opengovlinkpermit

Certificate of Occupancy (CO)

A Certificate of Occupancy (CO) is required to legally occupy all residential and commercial buildings.  A new CO is also required when there is a change of occupancy or a change of use from one occupancy type to another occupancy type.  All new tenants are required to obtain a new CO even if there are no changes to the existing tenant space layout you plan to occupy.

Common changes that may require a new CO may include but are not limited to a change in occupied square footage, a change in floor plan, material storage or a full or partial change in business function (i.e.: Residential to Business or Business to Mercantile, etc.).

The following are the minimum requirements for obtaining a CO:

• Building Final Inspection
• Site Final Inspection
• Fire Marshal Final Inspection (Commercial only)
• Planning & Zoning Inspection (if required based on approved zoning provisions)
• As-Built drawing approval (for new construction and building additions)
• Maintenance Agreement approval (only if required)
• Performance and/or Maintenance Bond approval (only if required)

Certificate of Completion (CC)

A Certificate of Completion (CC) is required to occupy all new additions and alterations to existing residences where the residence remained occupied during construction.

The following are the minimum requirements for obtaining a CC:

• Building Final Inspection
• Site Final Inspection
• Fire Marshal Final Inspection (Commercial only)
• Planning & Zoning Inspection (if required based on approved zoning provisions)
• Approved As-Built drawing (for new construction and building additions)
• All maintenance agreements signed and approved (only if required)

Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO)

In limited situations, the building official may issue a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) before the completion of the entire work covered by the permit, provided that such portion or portions shall be occupied safely. The TCO may be issued in 30-day increments. The fee for a TCO is $200 per 30 days.

Failure to obtain a CO prior to moving in will result in a citation to both the contractor and homeowner/tenant, a stop work order, and possible eviction. 

The TCO certifies that at the time of issuance, the permitted construction was inspected for compliance with the various building codes, or their intent, as enforced and adopted by the City at the time the permit was issued. Please reach out to City staff to request a TCO.