About Certificates of Occupancy
Every new business, tenant, or building is required to have a Certificate of Occupancy (C/O). This certificate indicates that the building or tenant meets the minimum adopted building and fire codes. If a Certificate of Occupancy already exists for the same use, the new tenant may be eligible to use the Information Change Form process. This process does not result in a new C/O in your name, it allows like-for-like businesses to update the Fire Marshal’s Office records and obtain a Fire Inspection.
See the video on New Businesses Moving into an Existing Building:
https://www.cobbcounty.org/fire/fire-marshal/informational-videos
The Certificate of Occupancy process with the Fire Marshal’s Office starts by requesting a Plan Review Appointment and submitting plans through the portal.
Plan Review
Tenant Certificate of Occupancy Process (Existing Building with a New Business)
Certificate of Occupancy Process for the Fire Marshal:
Follow steps outlined in Tenant Space Build-out link below to submit for a Certificate of Occupancy. For plan submittal requirements see checklist provided under Submittal Checklist .
- Tenant Space Build-out/ Remodeled Certificate Occupancy Procedures
- Commercial Permit Application
- Sample Floor Plan
- Sample Scope
- Occupant/Owners Information Certificate
For an in-person review at one of our locations, when requesting a Plan Review Appointment for a new application add text in the job description field; If it is a re-review/revision add text to the NOTES section. You can also request to have a virtual meeting via zoom or teams or a phone call while your plans are reviewed.
Unincorporated Cobb:
1.) Submit to Cobb County Community Development
2.) Schedule a Plan Review Appointment, Submit all Documents (refer to submittal checklist below)
3.) Submit the approved/stamped plans back to Community Development
4.) After the permit is obtained, schedule inspections with our office through the online portal
City Limits of Acworth, Kennesaw, Powder Springs:
1.) Schedule a Plan Review Appointment, Submit all Documents (refer to submittal checklist below)
2.) Submit the approved/stamped plans to the city
3.) After the permit is obtained, schedule inspections with our office through online portal
Information Change / Sublease / Re-Occupancy Application
The Information Change process is only applicable when there is a valid Certificate of Occupancy for the same use. To submit for consideration please submit the Information Change Form and all required documents to the Contractor Permit Portal.
Use our Contractor Permit Portal to submit an Information Change Form
Occupant Information Certificate
Creating an Account in Mobile Eyes
Submitting a Permit Application
To determine if a Certificate of Occupancy is already on file for your space, please use link provided below:
New Building and Building Addition Plan Submittal Process
Certificate of Occupancy Process for the Fire Marshal:
Use the steps outlined below to submit your plans for review. Site plans are required to be approved before the building plans will be approved. For plan submittal requirements see checklist provided under Submittal Checklist .
- Commercial Permit Application
- Sample Scope
- Occupant/Owners Information Certificate
- Emergency Responder Radio Coverage system Acknowledgement
For an in-person review at one of our locations, when requesting a Plan Review Appointment for a new application add text in the job description field; If it is a re-review/revision add text to the NOTES section. You can also request to have a virtual meeting via zoom or teams or a phone call while your plans are reviewed.
Unincorporated Cobb:
1.) Submit to Cobb County Community Development
2.) Schedule a Plan Review Appointment, Submit all Documents (refer to submittal checklist below)
3.) Submit the approved/stamped plans back to Community Development
4.) After the permit is obtained, schedule inspections with our office through the online portal
City Limits of Acworth, Kennesaw, Powder Springs:
1.) Schedule a Plan Review Appointment, Submit all Documents (refer to submittal checklist below)
2.) Submit the approved/stamped plans to the city
3.) After the permit is obtained, schedule inspections with our office through online portal
Care Occupancy Procedures (Daycare, Personal Care Home, Community Living)
To submit for a new Care occupancy follow the Tenant Build-out Procedures above.
Site Plan Review
For a site development in the Cities please reach out to our office via email to fmoinspect@cobbcounty.org with a brief narrative explaining the project to obtain guidance on submittal.
For a new site development in Unincorporated Cobb that requires a Land Disturbance Permit please contact Site Plan Review at Community Development (770-528-2147).
RESUBMITTAL/RE-REVIEW/REVISION
To initiate an initial plan review for City Projects or to submit for re-review of your County project, submit plans through the contractor portal link below:
Submittal Checklist
Trade/Subcontractor Plan Submittal/Tanks
Submit drawings, submittal documents, and applicable checklist to the contractor portal below to initiate a plan review.
Checklist:
- NFPA 13 Fire Sprinkler
- NFPA 13 D Domestic Fire Sprinkler
- Sprinkler Omission Request
- Fire Sprinkler Limited Work Permit
- NFPA 14 Standpipes
- NFPA 17A Kitchen Suppression Limited Work Permit
- NFPA 33 Spray Applications
- NFPA 20 Fire Pump
- NFPA 72 Fire Alarm
- Fire Alarm Limited Work Permit
- NFPA 96 Kitchen Hood
- NFPA 2001 Clean Agent
- NFPA 1225 Emergency Responder Radio Coverage
- Electronic Locking Arrangements
- Smoke Control Drawings
- HVAC only work
- Tank Installation Permit Application
- Underground Tank Abandonment
- Generator and Base Tank
- Tank Requirements
Emergency Radio Responder Coverage System (ERRCS) Requirements
The only time a project is REQUIRED by Cobb County to use one of the ERRCS Testing Contractor's from this list is for the final commissioning of a new amplification system and the five-year recertifications. Any qualified / licensed radio contractor can conduct preliminary testing to determine if amplification is needed or install an amplification system (downlink only). The radio contractor who installs an amplification system cannot be the same contractor whom conducts the final commissioning or recertification (uplink and downlink).
FMO Fees
Fees
- FMO Fee Schedule- Master Document
- Site Fee Schedule
- Fire Suppression System- CPA Fee Schedule
- Fire Alarm- IFC 510 Fee Schedule
- Misc. Other Fees
- Building Construction- Tenant Move in Fee
Accepted Forms of Payment:
Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club, Discover, Apple Pay, Cash/Check, and American Express.