Which condition must be satisfied before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued?

• A. All required inspections are complete and permits closed.
• B. The building passes a random energy audit.
• C. The owner elects to proceed without permits.
• D. The project budget is under initial estimate.

Answer: (A)

A Certificate of Occupancy is issued only after the building has cleared the required inspections and all permits are closed. This ensures the work has been reviewed for code compliance, safety systems are in place, and any outstanding items have been resolved before people can legally occupy the space. Without completing inspections and closing permits, occupancy could pose safety risks and would not be permitted by code.

The other options aren’t gating factors for occupancy. An energy audit isn’t a universal prerequisite for CO, a project cannot proceed without permits, and the initial budget status has no bearing on whether occupancy is allowed.