The following shall relate to Zoning Certificates:
(a) It shall be unlawful for an owner to use or to initiate construction or 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 has been issued by the Zoning Inspector. It shall be the duty of the Zoning Inspector to issue a certificate, provided he is satisfied that the structure, building or premises and the proposed use thereof conform to all the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance. No permit for excavation, construction or reconstruction shall be issued by the Zoning Inspector unless the plans, specifications and the intended use conform to the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance. All Zoning Certificates shall expire one year after their issuance unless construction has reached fifty percent (50%) of completion.
(b) Upon written request from the owner, or tenant, the Zoning Inspector shall issue a Zoning Certificate for any building or premises existing at the time of enactment of the Zoning Ordinance certifying, after inspection, the extent and kind of use made of the building or premises and whether such use conforms to the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance. No charge shall be made for issuing a Zoning Certificate in accordance with this subsection.
(c) The Zoning Inspector must refer to the requirements of O.R.C. Section 5511.01 before any zoning action is approved near a proposed new state highway or a state highway for which changes are proposed. Any land within 300 feet of such highway, or within 500 feet of any proposed state highway intersection work, is affected. Notice is to be sent to the Director of the Ohio Department of Transportation.
(Ord. 26-99-0. Passed 8-23-99.)