(A) It shall be unlawful for an owner, agent, or lessee to use or to permit the use of any structure, building, or land, or part thereof, hereafter created, erected, changed, converted, or enlarged, wholly or partly, until a zoning certificate shall have been issued by the zoning inspector. It shall be the duty of the zoning inspector to issue a certificate, provided they are satisfied that the structure, building, or premises and the proposed use thereof conforms to all the requirements of this chapter. The zoning inspector shall issue no permit for excavation or construction unless the plans, specifications, and the intended use conform to the provisions of this chapter.
(B) Under written request from the owner, tenant, or optionee of the owner, the zoning inspector shall issue a zoning certificate for any building or premises existing at the time of the enactment of this Zoning Code certifying, after inspection, whether such use conforms to the provisions of this chapter. No charge shall be made for issuing a zoning certificate in accordance with this division.
(C) A zoning certificate shall be valid for a period of one year from the date of application. Under reasonable and legitimate conditions, the zoning inspector may extend it for a period of one year. Such extension shall be noted on the original application.
(D) A zoning certificate shall be issued for an expansion of a nonconforming building which conforms to the use regulations for the district in which it was situated provided the expansion of such building conforms to all setback requirements, use regulations, and all other regulations in this Zoning Code.
(E) Any improvements to any public right-of-way, public utility, or other public facility that is required as the result of the use of any structure, building, land or part thereof, hereafter created, changed, converted, or enlarged, wholly or partly, shall be financially guaranteed, by cash or bond, to the city prior to the issuance of a zoning certificate.
(Ord. 9098, passed 6-12-2023)