(A) Building permit required. It shall be unlawful to commence the excavation for or the construction of any building or structure, including accessory buildings, or to commence the moving or alteration of any buildings or structures, including accessory buildings, until the Building Inspector has issued a building permit for the work.
(B) Issuance of building permits.
(1) In applying to the Building Inspector for a building permit, the applicant shall submit a plot or plan, drawn to scale, showing the actual dimensions of the lot to be built upon, the shape, size, height and location of all buildings or structures to be erected, altered or moved and of any buildings or structures already on the lot, the existing and intended use of all buildings and structures, the number of families or dwelling units the building is designed to accommodate, the yard depths and widths on adjoining lots, and other information concerning the lot or adjoining lots as may be essential for determining whether the provisions of this chapter are being complied with.
(2) A record of the applications and plots or plans shall be kept by the Building Inspector. If the proposed excavation or construction as set forth in the application are in conformity with the provisions of this chapter and other ordinances of the city then in force, the Building Inspector shall issue a building permit for the excavation or construction.
(3) If a building permit is refused, the Building Inspector shall state the refusal in writing, with the cause, and shall immediately thereupon mail notice of the refusal to the applicant at the address indicated in the application. The Building Inspector shall grant or deny the permit within two weeks from the date the application is submitted.
(a) The issuance of a building permit shall in no case be construed as waiving any provisions of this chapter.
(b) A building permit shall become void six months from the date of issuance unless substantial progress has been made by that date on the project described therein.
(C) Certificate of occupancy.
(1) A certificate of occupancy issued by the Building Inspector is required in advance of occupancy or use of a building or structure hereafter erected, a building or structure hereafter altered so as to affect the front, side or rear yards thereof, or a change of occupancy or use of any premises.
(2) No land, building, structure or part thereof hereafter erected or altered in its use or structure shall be used until the Building Inspector shall have issued a certificate of occupancy stating that the land, building, structure or part thereof and the proposed use thereof are bound to be in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
(3) A record of all certificates of occupancy issued shall be kept on file in the office of the Building Inspector, and copies shall be furnished on request to any person having a proprietary or tenancy interest in the building, structure or land involved.
(4) Within three days after notification that a building, structure or premises or part thereof is ready for occupancy or use, it shall be the duty of the Building Inspector to make a final inspection thereof and to issue a certificate of occupancy if the land, building, structure or part thereof and the proposed use thereof are found to conform with the provisions of this chapter; or, if the certification is refused, to state refusal in writing, with the cause, and immediately thereupon mail notice of the refusal to the applicant at the address indicated in the application.
(2000 Code, App. B, § 92) Penalty, see § 155.999