Alabama - Obtain a Certificate of Occupancy

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Procedure

Apply In Person

1. To Obtain a Certificate of Occupancy in Alabama, the applicant has to approach the U.S General Services Administration GSA link
2. The applicant has to get the application form from the respective office or use the following link to download the form link
3. Complete the application form with the necessary details.
4. Make sure that you have all the documents that are listed under the “Required Documents” section of this page.
5. Applicant has to attach the photocopies along with the application form.
6. Submit the application form and the necessary documents to the concerned officer.
7. The applicant has to pay the prescribed fee as per the authority request and submit the receipt as a proof of payment.
8. After the payment is done, the officer will process the application for occupancy certificate and which is examined by the several authority officer.
9. Once the application and the required documents verification is done, the ministry will issue the occupancy certificate.
10. The processing time to obtain an occupancy license is takes up to 1 to 2 months.

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Required Documents

• Approved building plans from the Municipality, plus any documentation from Town Planning regarding rezoning, building line relaxation, consent etc., and if necessary, an approved Site Development Plan (SDP).
• Completion Certificate from a registered structural / civil engineer this is for the foundations, concrete slabs, staircases, wooden / suspended floors, steel work, freestanding walls over 2.1m high, swimming pools and all structures built without prior planning permission.
• Certificate (Roof Truss) your truss supplier / installer should provide you with certification, alternatively consult your engineer.
• Glazing Certificate your glazier will supply you with Certification.
• Electrical Certificate of Compliance can only be issued by a registered Electrician.
• Fire Certificate is required for all public buildings and buildings using flammable materials e.g. wood or thatch roofs.

Office Locations & Contacts

U.S General Services Administration
Contact - 1-844-GSA-4111
Contact link
U.S. Department of State
Overseas Buildings Operations, SA-6
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
Contact link

Eligibility

• Any person who construct a building intends to obtain an occupancy certificate are eligible to make this application.

Fees

• The fee for this procedure has to be paid as per the authority request.

Validity

• Certificate of Occupancy is a permanent basis.

Documents to Use

Link

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

• The processing time to obtain an occupancy certificate is takes up to 1 to 2 months.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
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from external websites.
Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
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e.g In the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

Instructions

• Applicant must complete the application form before submitting. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
• Applicant must provide genuine information while applying for this procedure.

Required Information

• Location, address, suite or bay number (if applicable)
• Name of the business
• Corporation name
• Corporate officer, title
• Type of business
• Square footage of space being occupied
• Folio number of property

Need for the Document

• A occupancy certificate is a document issued by a local government agency or building department certifying a building's compliance with applicable building codes and other laws, and indicating it to be in a condition suitable for occupancy.
• The purpose of obtaining an occupancy certificate is to prove that, according to the law, the house or building is in liveable condition. Generally, such a certificate is necessary to be able to occupy the structure for everyday use, as well as to be able to sign a contract to sell the space and close on a mortgage for the space.

Information which might help

• A building is considered unauthorised, if the certificate was not obtained.
• One cannot occupy the building without occupancy certificate.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

Place some external links which might help.

Others

More information which might help people.