A. It shall be unlawful to use or occupy or permit the use or occupancy of any structure, or part thereof created, erected, changed, converted, or wholly or partly altered or enlarged in its use or purpose until a certificate of occupancy shall have been issued therefor by the building official stating that the proposed use of such structure conforms to the requirements of this title.
1. When a permit is issued for building a new structure, altering any portion of an existing structure, or building an addition to an existing structure, a certificate of occupancy must be issued upon completion of the work before use or occupancy of the structure will be permitted. The certificate of occupancy shall be issued only in conformity with the provisions of this title.
2. A temporary certificate of occupancy may be issued by the building official for a period not exceeding 3 months during alterations or partial occupancy of a building pending its completion, provided that said temporary certificate may include such conditions and safeguards as will protect the safety of the occupants and/or the public.
3. The building official shall maintain a public record of certificates of occupancy in compliance with state and local retention requirements.
4. Failure to obtain a certificate of occupancy prior to use or occupancy shall be a violation of this title and punishable under this title.
B. Construction and use to be as provided in applications, plans, permits, and certificates of occupancy. Building permits or certificates of occupancy issued on the basis of plans and applications approved by the building official authorize only the use, arrangement, or construction set forth in such approved plans and applications, and no other use, arrangement, or construction shall be allowed. Use, arrangement, or construction at variance with that authorized shall be deemed a violation of this title and punishable as provided by this title.
C. Certificates of occupancy required for use or change of use.
1. Certificates of occupancy shall be required for the following:
a. Occupancy and use of a structure erected or structurally altered.
b. Change in use of an existing structure to a use of a different classification.
c. Change in the use to a different classification.
d. Change in a nonconforming use if adding square feet to a structure.
2. No such use, or change of use, shall take place until a certificate of occupancy therefor shall have been issued by the building official.
D. Eating/drinking establishments. Where the structure is to be used as an eating or drinking establishment, or for any such purpose as to come within the supervision of the Tulsa County Health Department, the building official shall not issue a certificate of occupancy until prior approval or clearance has been given by the health department.
E. Contents of a certificate of occupancy:
1. The building permit number, if applicable, the address, name and contact information of owner or owner’s representative;
2. A description (floor plan) of the portion of the structure for which the certificate is being issued;
3. The edition of the currently adopted, applicable construction code, as adopted pursuant to chapter 2 of this title, under which the permit was issued;
4. The use and occupancy, in accordance with the provisions of the applicable construction code;
5. Type of construction as defined in currently adopted construction code;
6. The design occupant load;
7. Whether an automatic fire sprinkler system is provided;
8. A statement that the described structure has been inspected for compliance with the requirements of the currently adopted construction code for the structure and type of occupancy and use for which the proposed occupancy is classified;
9. Any special stipulations or conditions of the building permit;
10. Any additional information deemed necessary by the building official to process the certificate of occupancy may be required.
F. Revocation: The building official is authorized to, in writing, suspend or revoke a certificate of occupancy issued under the provisions of this title wherever the certificate has been issued in error, or is based on incorrect information supplied, or where it is determined that the structure or portion thereof is in violation of any ordinance or regulation or any of the provisions of this title. (Ord. 796, 12-13-2021)