Certificate of Occupancy

Per City ordinance Sec. 4-10-21

“No land shall hereafter be used unless a Certificate of Occupancy and Compliance shall have been issued by the Building Official of the City, stating that the building or proposed use of land or Building complies with the provisions of this chapter and other Building laws of the City. A Certificate of Occupancy only permit is granted when there is a change of use or no Certificate of Occupancy was ever issued, and no alteration or addition are to be done. If alterations or addition are to be done, you will need to submit for a remodel/repair with a registered contractor.”

A Certificate of Occupancy permit is granted when no alterations or additions are to be made, but one of the following applies.

• No Certificate of Occupancy was ever issued
• There is a change of use

Every new commercial and residential building will automatically have a Certificate of Occupancy issued at the time the permit is completed. If alterations or additions are to be done on an existing commercial building, you will need to submit for a remodel/repair permit with a registered contractor and Certificate of Occupancy will be issued at the time of completion.

For permitting information and instructions, visit: amarillo.gov/building-safety/permitting-software-mgo.
View the short video introduction and then click on the blue →Access MGO Connect← to access the online portal.

Required Drawings

Site Plan Detail Sheet: Include property lines with dimensions, streets, and alleys. Existing building locations and sizes; parking lot location(s) and size, parking stalls and size.

Floor Plan Detail Sheet: Include size/ shape of entire building; layout of rooms to include use; dimensions; size/ location of windows and doors to include door swing. Also note the ceiling, floor, and wall finishing. All emergency lighting and egress plan.

Additional Requirements

Includes any Type of Kitchen or Bar Area

If you are applying for a Certificate of Occupancy and there is any type of kitchen or bar area, you will need to supply the grease trap calculation with engineer stamp. Final inspections from Building Safety and the Fire Marshal’s Office are required, with an additional inspection from Environmental Health if there will be food/drink services or sales. Refer to your permit for which inspection to schedule.

New or Used Auto Sales/Car Lot

If you are applying for a Certificate of Occupancy for a new or used auto sales/car lot, please see the TxDMV Dealership Premises Checklist. If any of the requirements on that checklist require construction, then you will need to have a general contractor apply for a repair/remodel. Your Certificate of Occupancy will be issued at the completion of the remodel. If you will be sharing an existing space, you will have to apply for an address change to include suite numbers for the offices. (Visit amarillo.gov/building-safety and see the “How do I apply for an address?” FAQ for instructions.

For additional details regarding a Commercial Certificate of Occupancy Application, please visit MGO Connect.