Occupancy Process

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Certificate of Occupancy & Final Routing Process

The Occupancy Request Form initiates the process to obtain occupancy for new commercial buildings reviewed under the IBC, and residential buildings with 3+ stories, or 5+ dwelling units.

This form is also used to initiate final routing to occupy sites that required previous Planning approval (i.e. Site Plan, Subdivision, PDZ, etc.)

Helpful Tips:

The request for Final Routing/Occupancy should be submitted approximately 4 weeks before intended occupancy.
Final Routing for the site must be requested and approved before occupancy can be provided for any buildings within the newly developed site.
The Infrastructure Close Out process must be completed as part of the Final Routing process and prior to Building Occupancy. Please review the Engineering Infrastructure and Permits webpage for more information.
Checklist items required to be completed for your final inspection can be found on the Final Routing and Occupancy Guide.
For Residential Single Family Homes, Townhomes or Duplexes, 3 stories or less, the Occupancy process is not required. Instead, you will continue to request final inspection by submitting the Inspection Request Form.

Step 1: Schedule Final Building and Fire Inspections

Step 2: Submit Final Routing / Occupancy Request Form

Certificate of Occupancy

A Certificate of Occupancy (CO) is needed for New Commercial Construction, Change In Use, buildings with 5 or more units and buildings that are 3 or more stories.

Occupancy can be requested a minimum of 4 weeks in advance, using the form below. The request is then routed to applicable departments, depending on the building type and scope of work. Each department will conduct onsite reviews and either approve the work or provide a list(s) of items needing corrections.

Final Routing

Final Routing must be requested for building permits that don't require a Certificate of Occupancy, but have previously gone through a Planning/Zoning Review such as a site plan, COA or PDZ.

Certification Letters

Certification letters are required from each project’s architect, civil engineer, and landscape architect or design professional. The certifications are required to confirm that all work has been inspected and completed to the approved plans and specifications. The certifications must be submitted to Community Development prior to the city’s site inspections. Please email letters (referencing planning project number) to planningtech@bozeman.net.

Water Back Flow Test

Projects requiring a Certificate of Occupancy also require a Water Backflow and Sprinkler Backflow test. For a list of certified testers, forms, and checklists, please visit Bozeman Backflow.

Step 3: Improvement Agreements for incomplete or modified plans

Improvement Agreements:

If some minor site improvements such as landscaping and hardscape items are not complete at the time of your request for Occupancy of Final routing, an Improvement Agreement (IA) can be used to financially guarantee the completion of the required improvements. IA approval takes an average of two weeks to process from the time all the required documents are submitted.

IA's are site specific and administered by the Bozeman Planning Division.
The IA application must include an itemized cost estimate of all required improvements being guaranteed.
Upon approval, IA's must be recorded with the County Clerk and Recorders Office and a copy of the recording must be submitted to the Planning Division.
The Planning Division cannot sign off on occupancy if the project is not complete, or an IA has not been issued.

Modifications to Approved Plans:

Any changes from the approved plan will require a Modification Application. Please visit the Development Center for access to forms and information. The Planning Division must approve any Modifications to the approved plan prior to sign-off.

Step 4: Sign Off & Approval

When all applicable departments have approved and signed off, occupancy can be granted from the Building Division, providing all inspections, improvements agreements, and/or modifications have been completed, and no further action is required.

Each department will sign off on the final inspection and a Certificate of Occupancy will be granted. Please allow the Building Department 5 business days to issue your Certificate of Occupancy.