A. Scope: No permit pertaining to the use of land or buildings shall be issued by any officer, department, or employee of the city unless the application for such permit has been examined by the zoning administrator and has affixed to it a zoning certificate stating that the proposed building or structure complies with all the provisions of this title, or upon written order from the planning and zoning board deciding an appeal, or from the city council deciding a conditional use, variance, or planned unit development, as provided by this title. Any permit or certificate of occupancy issued in conflict with the provisions of this title shall be void. Zoning certificates also shall be required for the following: (Ord. Z-8-98, 9-21-1998; amd. Ord. Z-29-15, 10-5-2015)
1. Changes of use;
2. Changes of occupancy (except for residential uses);
3. Establishment of a temporary use; subject to the regulations of section 12-8-11, "Temporary Uses", of this title;
4. Establishment of a home occupation, subject to the regulations of section 12-8-8, "Home Occupations", of this title;
5. Erection or alteration of a sign, subject to the regulations of chapter 11, "Signs", of this title;
6. Establishment of a residential care home, subject to the regulations of section 12-8-10, "Residential Care Homes", of this title; and (Ord. Z-8-98, 9-21-1998)
7. Child home care use. (Ord. Z-2-05, 2-7-2005)
B. Application: Applications for zoning certificates shall be filed in accordance with the requirements of section 12-3-1, "Applications And Hearings", of this chapter.
C. Applications For Industrial Uses: An application for a zoning certificate for an industrial use shall have affixed to it the certificate of an architect or structural engineer licensed by the state of Illinois that the building or structure and the proposed use thereof complies with the environmental performance standards of chapter 12, "Environmental Performance Standards", of this title. The zoning administrator shall, upon receipt of such application, and provided all other relevant provisions of this title are met, approve and authorize the issuance of a zoning certificate. The zoning administrator may, however, take fifteen (15) days in which to study the application, during which time he may consult with appropriate technical consultants. If after the fifteen (15) day study period the zoning administrator discovers that the building, structure or use thereof does not in fact comply with chapter 12, "Environmental Performance Standards", of this title, the architect or engineer shall be so notified in writing by the zoning administrator. Failure of the architect or engineer to show compliance within thirty (30) days of such notification shall be cause for revocation of the zoning certificate.
D. Action By The Zoning Administrator: Upon receipt of a properly completed application for a zoning certificate, the zoning administrator shall conduct a site plan review subject to the regulations of section 12-3-2, "Site Plan Review", of this chapter.
E. Failure To Obtain A Zoning Certificate: Failure to obtain a zoning certificate shall be deemed a violation of this title punishable under the provisions of chapter 4, "Enforcement And Penalties", of this title.
F. Limitation On Zoning Certificates: Zoning certificates issued on the basis of plans and applications approved by the zoning administrator authorize only the use or arrangement set forth in such approved plans and applications or amendments thereto, and no other use, arrangements, or construction. Any use, arrangement, or construction contrary to that authorized shall be deemed a violation of this title punishable under the provisions of chapter 4, "Enforcement And Penalties", of this title.
G. Records Of Zoning Certificates: Every zoning certificate issued pursuant to this section shall be kept on file by the zoning administrator and shall be considered a public record. (Ord. Z-8-98, 9-21-1998)