A-701.1 General: 183 A certificate of occupancy, indicating compliance with permits and construction documents, shall be obtained prior to occupancy of a building or portion thereof in the following cases:
1. Erection of a new building,
2. Erection of an addition to a building,
3. Change from one Occupancy Classification to another,
4. Relocation of a building,
5. Interior alteration of an existing building or space,
6. A change of occupancy as defined in A-106.1.
Exceptions: A certificate of occupancy shall not be required under the following conditions:
1. The work is limited to additions or alterations to existing one- or two-family occupancies.
2. The work is limited to minor alterations of any existing occupancy that do not impact the egress or fire protection of the building or space.
3. Where a Family Child Day Care facility is operated in a one- or two-family dwelling, provided it is licensed pursuant to the Fire Code.
A-701.2 Review and approval: 184 In each case where a Certificate of Occupancy is required by Section A-701.1, construction documents shall be submitted as prescribed in Section A-301.6 for review by the department for conformance to the Building Code in effect at the time of application. Upon approval, the code official shall prepare the certificate in accordance with this Section and procedures of the department. A maximum of one building as defined by the Building Code shall be included on any one certificate.
A-701.2.2 Certificates of Occupancy for uncertified buildings. Pursuant to the UCC, the Department shall issue a Certificate of Occupancy to an existing building that was not previously issued a Certificate of Occupancy if the building meets the requirements of the Existing Building Code. The code official may deny the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy if the official deems that a building is unsafe because of inadequate means of egress, inadequate lighting and ventilation, fire hazards or other dangers to human life or to public welfare.
A-701.3 Issuance: 185 Upon successful completion of the final inspection in accordance with Section A-402.5 and within five business days thereafter, the certificate of occupancy shall be issued by the code official. Issuance of a certificate of occupancy shall not be construed as an approval of a violation of the provisions of the technical codes or other provisions of The Philadelphia Code. The certificate shall be available for inspection by the code official at any reasonable time.
A-701.3.2 Conditions related to prerequisite approvals. Where the issuance of the building permit includes a prerequisite approval as listed in Section A-305.2.1.6, and such approval was granted with conditions, the Department is authorized to withhold the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy until such conditions of approval have been satisfied. The department issuing the conditional approval must notify the Department and the permit holder prior to the final inspection of the permit where conditions of approval have not been satisfied.
A-701.3.3 Flood protection confirmation. Prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, the permit holder shall submit a Flood Elevation Certificate (or Floodproofing Certificate if a non-residential structure) as published by FEMA. The Certificate shall be completed by a registered design professional.
A-701.4 Contents of certificate: 186 The certificate of occupancy shall include a statement that the described portion of the structure has been inspected for compliance with the applicable code requirements for the occupancy and division of occupancy and the use for which the proposed occupancy is classified and shall specify the following:
1. The address of the building.
2. The location within the building if for part of a building.
3. The edition of the code under which the permit was issued.
4. The Occupancy Classification Group(s) in accordance with the Building Code.
5. The type of construction as defined by the Building Code.
6. If and where an automatic sprinkler system is provided and whether it is required.
7. Any variances or special conditions.
8. The permit number.
9. The date of the final inspection.
10. The name and address of the permit holder.
11. The printed name of the building code official.
A-701.5 Partial or temporary occupancy: 187 Upon request of the applicant, a temporary or partial certificate of occupancy may be issued to occupy the premises or a portion of the premises before completion of the entire work or operation covered by the permit provided that such portion or portions will be occupied safely prior to full completion of the structure or installation of equipment and systems without endangering life or public welfare. Such issuance shall be in accordance with departmental procedures and the code official shall notify the applicant of any limitations or restrictions imposed by the partial or temporary occupancy.
A-701.6 Posting: 188 Either the original or a true copy of the Certificate of Occupancy shall be posted in each building, available to inspection.
Exceptions:
1. Residential buildings and buildings of Group R-3 occupancy;
2. Buildings of Group R-2 occupancy which have no management office on premises.
Notes
| 182 | Amended, Bill No. 030780 (approved December 31, 2003). |
| 183 | Amended, Bill No. 180175 (approved June 6, 2018). |
| 184 | Amended, Bill No. 180175 (approved June 6, 2018). |
| 185 | Amended, Bill No. 180175 (approved June 6, 2018). |
| 186 | Amended, Bill No. 180175 (approved June 6, 2018). |
| 187 | Amended, Bill No. 180175 (approved June 6, 2018). |
| 188 | Amended, Bill No. 180175 (approved June 6, 2018). |