A zoning certificate shall be issued before a building or structure is erected, constructed, enlarged, structurally altered, or moved, in whole or in part, or the change of use of land or a building is commenced. A zoning certificate shall be issued when the plans for the proposed use, building or structure comply with the Code, other ordinances and applicable municipal standards and specifications
(a) A zoning certificate shall be required for::
(1) The construction, reconstruction, relocation or alteration of a building, structure or use, including an accessory building or structure and accessory use.
(2) The enlargement or expansion of an existing building or structure which increases the floor area, number of stories or expands the area of land use.
(3) The reconstruction or alteration of the exterior, or exterior finish materials, of a multi-family or nonresidential building.
(4) The occupancy or use of a building, structure or vacant land.
(5) The occupancy or change in occupancy or tenancy of a nonresidential building or land use.
(6) The reconstruction, alteration or expansion of a non-conforming use,
(7) The construction of a major subdivision, Planned Residential Development or condominium.
(8) The division of a parcel or consolidation of parcels.
(b) A zoning certificate shall not be issued unless the plans, specifications, and intended use or occupancy comply with Municipal ordinances, standards and specifications.
(c) No person shall use or permit the use or occupancy of a structure, building or land, or part thereof, hereinafter created, constructed, reconstructed, relocated, erected, altered, changed, converted, or enlarged, wholly or in part, until a zoning certificate has been issued by the Community Development Administrator.
(d) A zoning certificate for which no work or occupancy is commenced shall expire one (1) year after issuance.
(e) Upon written request from the owner or other person with standing, the Community Development Administrator shall issue a zoning certificate for any building or premises existing at the time of initial enactment of the Planning and Zoning Code certifying, after inspection, the extent and classification of the use or occupancy of the building or premises and whether the use or occupancy is permitted by the Code.
(f) The Community Development Administrator may classify as permitted or conditional a proposed use which is not classified as a permitted or conditional use in any zoning district, when the Community Development Administrator finds that the proposed use is a similar use with the equivalent purpose, scope and impact on the neighborhood as a use which is listed in the zoning district as a permitted or conditional use.
(Ord. 2635. Passed 1-13-11; Ord. 3040. Passed 12-13-18.)