Certificate of Occupancy/Completion Requirements

FINAL CERTIFICATE:

The issuance of a Certificate completes the Building Code Administration (BCA) process. The permit holder must request a Certificate of Occupancy after completion of a new building, building addition, or a renovation if an occupancy change occurred. The permit holder should request a Certificate of Completion if occupancy was not an issue. The permit holder must request the certificate in writing from the University Building Code Enforcement Program. Before a certificate can be issued, the following items must be submitted in writing, as applicable: 

1. Request: Letter from the qualifying agent of the permit holder requesting a Certificate of Occupancy or a Certificate of Completion, certifying that construction was completed in accordance with the approved plans and specifications, and all code deficiencies and or violations have been corrected.
2. Final Reports: Verification that all final inspections have been completed and comments addressed.
3. State Fire Marshal Approval: Copy of the inspection approval letter from the State Fire Marshal.
4. Elevator Approval: Copy of the elevator inspection approval reports from the Department of Business & Professional Regulation.
5. Special Inspector: Letter signed and sealed by the special inspector certifying the threshold building complies with the permitted documents and the shoring and reshoring complies with shoring and reshoring plans submitted.
6. Flood Plain Certification: Letter signed and sealed by the engineer of record that the structure, as constructed, meets or exceeds the flood plain criteria defined in the FEMA document 44CFR-Part 60.
7. Other Certifications: Copy of any other certifications by the architect, engineer, and/or contractors required by other jurisdictions such as the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, county health unit, etc.
8. Florida Accessibility Code: When necessary, written response from the UNF ADA Compliance Officer that the structure or renovation, as constructed, meets or exceeds the requirements of the Florida Building Code, Chapter 11 and any other UNF accessibility requirements.
9. Termite Protection: If not previously submitted, a copy of the Certificate of Compliance from the pest control company.
10. Communications: When appropriate, a copy of completed final inspection report from State Technology Office (See Jim Edwards, UNF ITS, for copy). 
11. Smoke/Fire Dampers: If not previously submitted, a copy of the damper operational test certification.
12. LPI Master Label: If not previously submitted, a copy of the Master Label certification and test results.
13. Ground Resistance Test: If not previously submitted, a copy of the ground resistance test results. 

Notice: In addition to the requirements of this permit, there may be additional restrictions applicable to this property that may be found in the public records of this county.

TEMPORARY USE:

Prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, the General Contractor may obtain temporary use of designated areas of a project for the training of personnel and the installation of owner equipment and furnishings. This use is allowed for owner personnel employed for the express purpose of assisting with move-in and startup operations. The general public or tenants will not be permitted to occupy the building until a Certificate of Occupancy is issued.

The Contractor shall submit letters to the Building Code Administration (BCA) and State Fire Marshal requesting a Temporary Use Authorization of designated areas of the project. The letters shall be on company letterhead and include the project name and number, the permit number, a description and floor plan depicting the areas for temporary use, reason for the request (i.e. install owner equipment or fixtures, employee training, etc.) and a date when the areas will be ready for inspection.

Upon request from the Contractor, the BCA, or representative, will inspect the designated areas of the building to determine if they are safe to occupy under the temporary use authorization. The General Contractor must also obtain approval from the State Fire Marshal.

Upon inspection approvals, the BCA will authorize the use of the designated areas, pending any special requirements issued by UNF EH&S and/or the State Fire Marshal.

Note: The BCA can order vacation of unauthorized areas and electrical power may be disconnected.

FINAL INSPECTIONS:

Final inspections must be completed and all code deficiencies and or violations corrected prior to request for a final certificate.

Scheduling Final Inspection to be made: 

1. Building: After the building is complete and ready for occupancy. 
2. Electrical: After the building is complete, all required electrical fixtures are in place and properly connected or protected, and the structure is ready for occupancy. 
3. Plumbing: After the building is complete, all plumbing fixtures are in place and properly connected, and the structure is ready for occupancy.
4. Mechanical: After the building is complete, the mechanical system is in place and properly connected, and the structure is ready for occupancy. 
5. Fuel Gas: On all new gas work authorized by the permit and such portions of existing systems as may be affected by new work or any changes, to insure compliance with all the requirements of this code and to assure that the installation and construction of the gas system is in accordance with reviewed plans. 
6. Life Safety: On all new work authorized by the permit and such portions of existing systems as may be affected by new work or any changes, to insure compliance with all the requirements of the codes and to assure that the installation and construction of the means of egress, fire alarm/notification and sprinkler system are in accordance with the approved permit documents.