A document issued by the NYC Department of Buildings certifying a building's legal use and occupancy type.
Last updated: March 2026 · 9.4M+ properties indexed
Every building constructed after 1938 in NYC is required to have a Certificate of Occupancy. The C of O specifies:
A temporary C of O is issued for a limited period, usually during ongoing construction. It must be renewed before expiration — failure to do so can result in a vacate order.
Using a building inconsistently with its C of O is a violation of the NYC Building Code and can result in DOB violations, fines, and enforcement action. This is particularly common with illegal conversions (e.g., converting a cellar to a dwelling unit).
RegWatch shows C of O status for every NYC property, cross-referenced with current zoning and permit data. Search C of O records →
A C of O is a DOB document certifying a building's legal use and occupancy. It specifies what activities are permitted and how many occupants are allowed.
Buildings constructed after 1938 are required to have one. Older buildings may have a Letter of No Objection instead.
Operating without a valid C of O can result in DOB violations, fines, vacate orders, and complications with financing and insurance.
Search any NYC address on RegWatch to see the C of O status, or check DOB's BIS system directly.
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