Before final payment is made, which certificate is required to indicate occupancy status?

Before final payment is made, which certificate is required to indicate occupancy status?

• A. Certificate of final building occupancy
• B. Certificate of final inspection of utilities
• C. Original and 3 sets of prints of as-built drawings
• D. Guaranty certificate

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that occupancy status is officially granted by a certificate of occupancy. This certificate, issued by the local building department after all required inspections and code checks are satisfied, confirms that the building is safe to occupy and complies with applicable codes and zoning. Because final payment is typically contingent on this occupancy approval, the certificate of final building occupancy directly serves as the document that indicates it’s appropriate to occupy the space and release funds. The other documents listed serve different purposes: final utility inspections verify services, as-built drawings are for records, and a guaranty certificate covers warranties or guarantees, not occupancy status.

The key idea is that occupancy status is officially granted by a certificate of occupancy. This certificate, issued by the local building department after all required inspections and code checks are satisfied, confirms that the building is safe to occupy and complies with applicable codes and zoning. Because final payment is typically contingent on this occupancy approval, the certificate of final building occupancy directly serves as the document that indicates it’s appropriate to occupy the space and release funds. The other documents listed serve different purposes: final utility inspections verify services, as-built drawings are for records, and a guaranty certificate covers warranties or guarantees, not occupancy status.