Farmington certificate of occupancy to sell a home
Only in some cases. Farmington does not inspect an ordinary owner-occupied resale, but it does require a certificate of compliance in these situations: Rentals (new owner of a sold rental must register within 30 days and obtain a certificate of compliance before occupancy), vacant properties (register within 30 days of vacancy), and foreclosure transfers to a mortgagee or by deed in lieu; not ordinary owner-occupied resales.
Verified against Ordinance C-809-2023, Rental and Vacant Property Inspections (Ch. 19, Art. IX) on October 27, 2026. Fees, forms and timelines are set by the city and change without notice. Confirm with the Department of Planning and Building (Building Safety) before you list, sign or close; this page is general information from a licensed broker, not legal advice, and Match Realty is not responsible for decisions made in reliance on it.
The Farmington rule at a glance
| Required to sell? | Limited cases |
|---|---|
| What the city calls it | Certificate of Compliance |
| When it applies | Rentals (new owner of a sold rental must register within 30 days and obtain a certificate of compliance before occupancy), vacant properties (register within 30 days of vacancy), and foreclosure transfers to a mortgagee or by deed in lieu; not ordinary owner-occupied resales. |
| Fee | Set by City Council resolution (not in ordinance); late-registration and delinquent-inspection penalties apply |
| Lead time | Rental certificate valid up to 3 years; vacant certificate valid up to 360 days; 21-day tenant notice before inspection |
| Who orders it | Seller |
| Department | Department of Planning and Building (Building Safety) |
Farmington requirements (official)
“certificate of compliance must first be obtained prior to occupancy” — Farmington, Ordinance C-809-2023, Rental and Vacant Property Inspections (Ch. 19, Art. IX)
What this means for your closing
For a typical owner-occupied sale nothing is owed to the city. If the home falls into one of the cases above, treat it like a required city: order the inspection the week of listing and ask about temporary certificates and repair escrows.
The tax bill changes hands too: after a sale the taxable value uncaps, so the buyer's bill is not the seller's. See Farmington property taxes for the 2025 millage and the uncapped bill on a $350,000 home. For the state transfer tax owed at closing, use the Michigan transfer tax calculator.
Nearby in Oakland County
- Auburn Hills Not required
- Berkley Limited cases
- Bloomfield Hills Not required
- Bloomfield Township Not required
- Clawson Limited cases
- Commerce Township Not required
- Farmington Hills Limited cases
- Fenton Limited cases
- Ferndale Limited cases
- Hazel Park Limited cases
- Highland Township Not required
- Huntington Woods Limited cases
All Oakland County municipalities are on the C of O hub.
Common questions
Do I need a certificate of occupancy to sell a house in Farmington?
Not for an ordinary owner-occupied resale. Farmington requires a certificate of compliance only when: Rentals (new owner of a sold rental must register within 30 days and obtain a certificate of compliance before occupancy), vacant properties (register within 30 days of vacancy), and foreclosure transfers to a mortgagee or by deed in lieu; not ordinary owner-occupied resales..
What is a point-of-sale (pre-sale) inspection in Farmington?
It is the same thing as the certificate of compliance requirement: a city inspector checks the home against the property-maintenance code before the sale closes or the new owner moves in, and the city issues a certificate (or a temporary one with repairs escrowed) when it passes. Michigan has no statewide rule; each city or township sets its own, which is why Farmington's answer differs from its neighbours'.
Who schedules the Farmington inspection, and how far ahead?
The seller orders it from the Department of Planning and Building (Building Safety); Rental certificate valid up to 3 years; vacant certificate valid up to 360 days; 21-day tenant notice before inspection. Order it the week the listing goes live: a failed inspection with a two-week requeue is what blows a 30-day close.
Is this Farmington information current?
It was read from Farmington's own published requirements on October 27, 2026, and that source page is re-checked automatically every week. Cities change fees and forms without notice, so confirm with the Department of Planning and Building (Building Safety) before you rely on it.
Point-of-sale and certificate-of-occupancy rules are local ordinances. Match Realty LLC compiles them from each municipality's own publications and does not guarantee completeness or accuracy. Always verify with the municipality. This page is general information from a licensed broker, not legal advice.