Certificate of Occupancy
All businesses in the City of Georgetown require a valid Certificate of Occupancy Permit prior to occupying the business space or opening to the general public. This applies to all stand-alone buildings as well as leasable tenant space in multi-tenant buildings. In addition, a Certificate of Occupancy is not transferable. Anytime the business owner, business address or business name changes, a new Certificate of Occupancy is required.
If any construction is planned such as demolishing, adding or moving walls, window or doors a building permit will be required.
If adding or moving and electric, plumbing, or HVAC a building permit will be required.
If a change of use is planned, a building permit will be required. For example, if the previous use of the space was an office and the new use of the space will be for a restaurant then building permits will be required before a certificate of occupancy can be applied for.
Please contact our office for more information regarding building permits by emailing permits@georgetown.org or click here.
Certificate of Occupancy Permit Process for New Tenant or Change of Ownership – No Construction:
Complete the Certificate of Occupancy and submit it online at www.mygovernmentonline.org
Pay permit fees when you receive notification from no-reply@scpdc.org the application has been accepted for review.
Allow up to ten business days for zoning verification review, fire review and building review.
Once Certificate of Occupancy Application is approved, we will send notification via mygovernmentonline.org for the applicant to schedule the two required fire and building inspections*. If you do not receive notification after ten business days, please email us at permits@georgetown.org with project number and address.
*Please be advised that water and electric must be on. If the electric power is not on when the application for the Certificate of Occupancy is accepted/approved, then you will need a thirty (30) temporary power inspection first, and power restored before the two required fire and building inspections can be requested and completed. Temporary power is subject to disconnection if the required fire and building inspections are not completed and passed within thirty days. Temporary Power does not authorize the business to open to the public. Also note, there will be an additional inspection fee for the temporary power inspection.
After the Fire and Building Inspections pass, the Certificate of Occupancy will be uploaded to the project files at www.mygovernmentonline.org and we will email a copy of the Certificate of Occupancy.
If you fail any of the required inspections, the applicant will have ten days to correct items and reschedule the failed inspections. If inspections are not resolved, power and /or water may be disconnected in thirty days.
Once the Certificate of Occupancy is issued, utilities will transfer and business may open to the public.
For New Commercial Construction (Ground Up/ Shell Buildings),Commercial Remodels, or Additions :
New Commercial Construction Ground Up/Shell Buildings: Click Here
Commercial Remodel or a Tenant Finish Out: Click Here
Directions to apply for New Commercial Construction CO/ Remodel CO/ or Tenant Finish Out CO under an existing Permit Number: Click Here
Commercial in the ETJ:
If the business is located in the ETJ and connected to Georgetown Utilities, then you will need a Commercial Service Application. Fire Permits do apply for commercial properties/projects in the ETJ. If the City of Georgetown is the water, wastewater, and/or electric provider within the ETJ, permits may apply as well if any plumbing and/or electric work is being completed.
Please click here for fire permitting information.
If you have questions regarding plumbing/electrical permits in the ETJ, please email permits@georgetown.org with the address and any questions related to commercial projects in the ETJ with plumbing or electric
Stormwater permits may apply for any site construction in the ETJ. Please click here or contact: engineering@georgetown.org
Residential Certificate of Occupancy:
The City of Georgetown does not issue a Certificate of Occupancy. The building final inspection serves as the Certificate of Occupancy. If you are the permit holder, you may print the building final report from your www.mygovernmentonline.org account.
Fire Hydrant Meter Application:
The purpose of a fire hydrant water meter is to provide water temporarily during ongoing construction projects and when tapping water lines into our main line.
To apply for a fire hydrant, click here
Contact Customer Care for any questions regarding a fire hydrant meter at: customercare@georgetown.org.
Form Questions:
If you have any questions regarding Commercial Service Applications, please email customercare@georgetown.org
If you have any questions regarding Certificate of Occupancy Application, please email permits@georgetown.org
Quick Links:
Fire Marshal Office and Fire Permit Requirements for Businesses in ETJ
Directions for www.mygovernmentonline.org
City of Georgetown Interactive Maps
