(A) General requirement.
(1) It shall be unlawful to use or occupy or permit the use or occupancy of any building or premises, or both, or part thereof hereafter created, erected, changed, converted, or wholly or partly altered or enlarged in its use or structure until a certificate of occupancy shall have been issued therefor by the inspecting officer stating that the proposed use of the building or land conforms to the requirements of this appendix, except as provided in subsection (A)(2) below.
(2) No certificate of occupancy shall be required for:
(a) The continuation, unchanged, of an existing use, except as provided for nonconforming uses in subsection (B) below; and/or
(b) The planting or harvesting of crops or gardens or the grazing of cattle or horses, where permitted by the district regulations.
(70.20.10)
(B) Nonconforming structures and uses. No nonconforming structure or use shall be maintained, renewed, changed, or extended until a certificate of occupancy shall have been issued by the inspecting officer. The certificate of occupancy shall state specifically wherein the nonconforming use differs from the provisions of this appendix; provided, that upon enactment or amendment of this appendix, owners or occupants of nonconforming uses or structures shall have three months from the effective date of such enactment or amendment to apply for certificates of occupancy. Failure to make such application within three months shall be presumptive evidence that the property was in conforming use at the time of enactment or amendment of this appendix.
(70.20.20)
(C) Application for and issuance of certificate of occupancy.
(1) Application. Each application for a certificate of occupancy shall be on a form supplied by the inspecting officer, which form may be combined with the application for a building permit and shall include such information as may be required by the inspecting officer for determining compliance of the proposed use with this appendix.
(2) Issuance. No certificate of occupancy shall be issued by the inspecting officer, except in conformity with this appendix. Where an application for a certificate of occupancy accompanies an application for a building permit, the certificate of occupancy shall not be issued until the building described in the building permit has been completed in conformity with this appendix.
(70.20.30)
(D) Temporary certificate of occupancy. A temporary certificate of occupancy may be issued by the inspecting officer for a period not exceeding six months during alterations or partial occupancy of a building pending its completion, provided that such temporary certificate may include such conditions and safeguards as will protect the safety of the occupants and the public.
(70.20.40)
(E) Records and copies. The inspecting officer shall maintain a record of all certificates of occupancy, and a copy shall be furnished upon request to any person.
(70.20.50)
(F) Failure to obtain certificate of occupancy. Failure to apply for a certificate of occupancy, where required by this section, shall be a violation of this appendix and punishable under § 70.90.
(70.20.60)
(Prior Code, Appendix B, § 70.20) (Ord. 702, passed 3-15-1971)