Final answer:
A certificate of occupancy is a document that certifies a building complies with building codes, regulations, and zoning laws for safe use and occupancy.
Step-by-step explanation:
A certificate of occupancy is an important document issued by a local government agency, such as a building department, to certify that a building or structure complies with the relevant building codes, regulations, and zoning laws and is safe for occupancy or use. In the context of public land use control in North Carolina, building codes help ensure that structures are constructed and maintained in a safe and suitable manner. When a construction project is completed, the certificate of occupancy is typically required before the building can be used or occupied.