Certificate of Occupancy — City of Phoenix
A Phoenix Certificate of Occupancy certifies the finished space complies with building codes and is safe to occupy as a restaurant.
What it is. The Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) certifying that a building complies with applicable building codes and is suitable and safe for occupancy. It is issued after construction is finished and inspections are approved; a change of use (e.g., retail to restaurant) requires a new CofO.
Who issues it. City of Phoenix — Planning and Development Department (PDD) (City layer).
When you need it. Before legally occupying the space for the restaurant use.
How to apply. Complete permitted construction, pass final inspections, and receive the CofO through PDD (SHAPE PHX).
Fees. Per the PDD schedule — see source (⟢ VERIFY).
What SpoonSeal tracks. The document(s) you upload for this requirement, with automatic renewal/expiration tracking (Current, Due Soon, Expired). Where the city publishes health-inspection results (e.g., NYC and Chicago), SpoonSeal syncs them automatically; elsewhere they can be added manually.
References
- Phoenix Zoning Ordinance §509 (Building permits & certificates of occupancy) — https://phoenix.municipal.codes/ZO/509 — Official source last checked: 2026-07-02
Stay ahead of this requirement
SpoonSeal stores your documents, tracks expirations, and reminds you before anything lapses — so you are always inspection-ready.
Get started free →This guide is informational and not legal advice. Always confirm current requirements with the official agency linked above.