Florida Building Code Practice Exam

Which of the following statements is NOT true regarding occupancy certificates?

1. A Certificate of Completion allows the tenant to begin occupying spaces in a shell building

2. A temporary Certificate of Occupancy allows tenants to occupy safe portions of an incomplete building

3. New buildings may not be occupied until the Building Official issues a Certificate of Occupancy

4. A Certificate of Completion allows utilities to be hooked up

The correct answer is: A Certificate of Completion allows the tenant to begin occupying spaces in a shell building

The statement that a Certificate of Completion allows the tenant to begin occupying spaces in a shell building is not true. A Certificate of Completion indicates that the construction is finished, but it does not authorize occupancy. Specifically, for spaces in a shell building, additional work is usually required to make them suitable and safe for occupancy, such as installing necessary utilities, finishes, and even adhering to specific code requirements for the intended use. In contrast, the temporary Certificate of Occupancy permits occupancy of safe portions of an incomplete building, which is essential for situations where leasing or partial occupancy is necessary before the entire project is finished. Furthermore, a Certificate of Occupancy confirms that a new building meets all applicable codes and can be occupied safely, while a Certificate of Completion may also allow specific projects to proceed to the next phase, such as utilities being connected. Understanding these nuances highlights the specific roles these certificates play in building occupancy processes.