Investigative Inspection Permits
All businesses located in Oro Valley are required to have a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) to occupy a commercial property.
A Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) is often obtained through the Tenant Improvement (TI) process. However, a new C of O can be issued without a TI plan for minor changes to businesses such as:
- Moving into a commercial space that was formally occupied by a similar business. For example an accounting firm moves into a former law office space.
- Restaurants making no changes to the cooking line, appliance type or location
- No structural changes to the tenant space.
- Only making cosmetic changes such as new paint and carpet
- Change of ownership.
The Investigative Inspection Permit confirms that construction work is not being performed that requires a Tenant Improvement Plan.
Investigative Inspection Permits cannot be utilized for the following types of commercial projects:
- Moving a business into a space that has never been occupied by any business
- Change of vastly different businesses (occupancy classification and use) such as moving a restaurant into a tenant space formally occupied by an accounting firm.
The business owner or representative must submit the following for an Investigative Inspection Permit:
- A basic dimensional floor plan that identifies:
- Rooms
- Describe the use of each room
- Exits (hallways and doors)
- Total square footage
- An arrow indicating North
Change of Ownership and Change of Business Use Investigative Inspection documents will be reviewed by the Building Safety and Zoning Code staff for compliance.
- A change of ownership and business use permit fees are generally $120.00
Once the permit is issued, the following inspections will be required to be scheduled through the online portal:
- Investigative
- Final Accessibility
- Electrical Reconnect if power has been discontinued
- C of O Fire
- C of O Administrative
- C of O Zoning
- Permit Final
- Business License
The business owner or representative must schedule the inspections. In the search box on this website input "schedule inspections" for instructions.
Ensure a Town of Oro Valley business license is obtained.
When all inspections have been approved, then the applicant may obtain a Certificate of Occupancy for the new location or owner.