(a) Generally. There is hereby adopted the requirement for an occupancy permit. No occupancy or change of use shall take place until an occupancy permit has been signed by the Building Inspector and the Zoning Administrator.
(b) When Required. None of the following occupancies or changes of use shall take place until an occupancy permit has been signed by the Building Inspector and Zoning Administrator:
(1) Occupancy of a vacant lot or building hereafter erected or altered, used in whole or in part for any purpose whatsoever, and change of use hereafter made on any land or in any building or part thereof.
(2) Occupancy and use of a building hereafter moved or altered so as to require a building permit.
(3) Change in the use of an existing building other than to a use of the same type.
(4) Occupancy and the use of vacant land.
(5) Change in the use of land except to another use of the same type.
(6) Any change in use of a nonconforming use.
(c) Procedure for Uses When Building Permit is Required. When the building is ready for occupancy, a written request for an occupancy permit may be submitted to the Zoning Administrator on a form provided by the City, after the construction authorized in the building permit has been completed or has progressed to an extent that compliance with the terms of the building permit is ascertainable. If the proposed use is in conformity with the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance and all other applicable laws and ordinances, within one week following the receipt of such a request the Zoning Administrator shall issue such a certificate. If such request is denied, the Zoning Administrator shall issue the applicant a written statement containing the reasons for such denial.
(d) Procedures for Uses Not Involving Building Permit.
(1) Written application for an occupancy permit for the use of vacant land, for a change in the type of use of land, or a building, or for change of use of a non-conforming use as provided herein, shall be made to the Zoning Administrator.
(2) If the proposed use is in conformity with the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance and of all other applicable laws and ordinances, the occupancy permit therefor shall be issued within one week following the receipt of such a request.
(3) If such a request is denied, the Zoning Administrator shall issue the applicant a written statement containing the reasons for such denial.
(4) Fees. Fees for occupancy permits shall be as follows:
$3.00 for vacant land
$2.00 for residence buildings
$20.00 for commercial buildings
(e) Certificate Required for Continued Occupancy. Every occupancy permit shall state that the building or the proposed use of a building or land complies with all provisions of law and of the Zoning Ordinance, and of all other ordinances of the City. An occupancy permit shall be deemed to authorize, and is required for both initial and continued occupancy and use of the building or land to which it applies and shall continue in effect so long as such building and the use thereof, or the use of such land be in full conformity with the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance and any requirements made pursuant thereto.
(f) The application for certificate of occupancy and compliance shall be filed with the Building Inspector and the Zoning Administrator, in writing, and shall be issued or refused in writing, for cause, within seven days following the receipt of such request for certificate of occupancy.
(g) A record of all such certificates shall be kept in the office of the Building Inspector and Zoning Administrator, and copies shall be furnished on request to any person having a proprietary or tenancy interest in the property. Buildings accessory to dwellings, when completed at the same time shall not require a separate certificate of occupancy.
(h) Prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy and compliance, a temporary certificate may be used for a period not exceeding six months, permitting a partial occupancy of a building pending its completion. Such temporary certificates shall be issued only under such restrictions and provisions imposed by the Building Inspector and Zoning Administrator and contained therein as will adequately insure the safety of the occupants. Such temporary certificate shall be revoked by the Building Inspector and Zoning Administrator if prior to its completion, the building fails to conform to the provisions or ordinances of the City.
(i) Violations. On the serving of notice of any violation to any building or the use thereof or of land as provided in this section, the occupancy permit for such use shall thereupon, without further notice, become null and void, and a new occupancy permit shall be required for any further use of such building or land.
(j) Duplicate Copies. Duplicate copies of every occupancy permit shall be kept in the office of the Building Inspector and copies shall be furnished on request and on payment of copying costs, to any person having a proprietary or tenancy interest in the building or land affected.
(Ord. 60-2963. Passed 1-20-60; Ord. 68-5945. Passed 2-7-68.)