Certificate of Occupancy

The information included is general in nature and should not be substituted for the specific requirements as established in the Estacada Development and Building Codes governing occupancy of new buildings.

What is a Certificate of Occupancy?
A Certificate of Occupancy, or C of O, is a document issued to the owner of a building once all building and development conditions administered by the City are met. A C of O is required for all commercial, industrial, multi-family and residential buildings.

Can a building be used or occupied without a C of O?
No, buildings cannot be used or occupied until the City has issued a C of O. The City must approve all requested changes to the use or occupancy classification of all buildings. See exceptions in EMC 15.16.050.

How long does a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy last?
Issuance of a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) may be allowed at the discretion of the Building Official, and is only valid for a limited time. Any request for more than 30 days will be approved only if the Building Inspector decides it’s appropriate. If the inspector determines that the unfinished parts of the building don’t create a significant safety risk, a TCO may be issued even before the entire building is complete. Issuance of a temporary certificate of occupancy may be allowed at the discretion of the Building Official.

Can a C of O be revoked?
Yes, the Building Inspector may suspend or revoke a C of O if it was issued in error, based on wrong information, or if the building is later found to violate any part of EMC 15.16.050.

How do I obtain a C of O?
Obtaining a C of O for a commercial or industrial structure or single or multi-family residential unit is the final step in completing the project. Applicants should ensure all building inspections have been completed and all fees (plan review, inspections, SDCs) are paid. These separate inspections include building, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical inspections which need to be called for as those specific stages of the construction project proceed. Once the structure is complete, the Building, Planning, Engineering, and Public Works divisions will inspect for final building permit requirements.

Applicants for a TCO or C of O must submit their application at least two weeks prior to the desired occupancy date.

• This is an important step so we can alert all staff who are required to review portions of yourproject and sign off on compliance: Building, Planning, Engineering, and Public Works. The sooner we know the intended completion date, the sooner we are able to notify you of anyunmet conditions, required security, and provide you with a final inspection and checklist.

The Permit Technician will update the status of your TCO application in Accela. You are responsible for following up on the required sign-offs. The Permit Technician will not send you updates on your TCO as sign-offs occur.

How long does it take to issue a C of O?
When the last division or agency signs off on the TCO, the Building Official will sign the TCO certificate within 5 business days and you will be contacted to let you know the TCO has been approved and issued.

How do I obtain a TCO?
The process for a C of O is the same as for a TCO. The same agencies that signed off on the TCO must sign off on the C of O once they are satisfied that all required corrections and/or improvements have been completed.

What is a Change of Occupancy or Change of Use?
A change of occupancy happens when a building’s use shifts to a different type of activity that falls under a different occupancy group (for example, turning an office into a daycare, or converting a gift shop into a nail salon). Every building has an assigned occupancy classification based on how it’s used, and each classification has its own safety and building code requirements.

A change of use is required when the general occupancy category stays the same but something about the use increases risk, such as allowing more people in the space at once or changing how the space is used.

City staff can help determine whether you need a change of occupancy or change of use.

What should I check before changing the use or occupancy of a building for my business?
Before changing a building’s use or occupancy, contact the Community Development Department and the Fire Marshal. They can help you determine:

• Whether your proposed use will require any building or fire code changes.
• Whether the City’s zoning code allows the new use or occupancy at that location.
• Whether additional building or zoning requirements could cause delays.

Checking these early helps ensure your business can operate safely and legally in the new space.

Does a Change of Occupancy/Use require a permit?
Yes, a permit is required in order to document the change of use or occupancy classification of a building even when no alterations are planned or required by the code.