§ 151.011 OCCUPANCY PERMITS.
   (A)   The city contracts with the County Building Department (Building Department) for building inspection services and for the issuance of occupancy permits.
   (B)   No lot or parcel in any zoning district established under the provisions of this chapter shall hereafter be occupied or used, and no building or structure hereafter shall be used or occupied until an occupancy permit is issued therefor by the Building Department, except as otherwise exempted from the requirements of this section.
      (1)   Exceptions. The provisions of this section shall not apply to a dwelling where such dwelling is a permitted use in the applicable zoning district and the use of the dwelling is for residential purposes, nor shall the provisions of this section apply to agricultural and resource management activities where the applicable district permits such activities. Uses and activities which lawfully exist at the time this chapter becomes effective shall be exempt from the provisions of this section until such time as a change in use or occupancy occurs as specified in this section.
      (2)   Applications. Application for an occupancy permit for a new use, a change in land use, for a new building or structure or for an existing building or structure shall be made to the Building Department before any such building, structure or land is occupied or used.
      (3)   Issuance. An occupancy permit shall be issued within five working days after:
         (a)   Written notice is received by the Building Department that the premises are ready for use or occupancy; and
         (b)   Inspection by the Building Department indicates that the building or use is in conformity with this chapter and other applicable laws and regulations of the jurisdiction and the state.
      (4)   Records. The Building Department shall maintain a current record of all occupancy permits issued under the provisions of this section.
(Ord. 372, passed 12-8-1997) Penalty, see § 151.999