(a) Written application shall be made for a zoning certificate for the construction of a new building or the alteration of an existing building. Such certificate shall be issued within ten days after a written request for the same has been made to the Zoning Inspector or his or her agent, provided that such construction or alteration is in conformity with the provisions of this Zoning Code.
(b) Written application for a zoning certificate for the use of vacant land, for a change in the use of land or of a building, or for a change in a nonconforming use, as provided in this Zoning Code, shall be made to the Zoning Inspector. If the proposed use is in conformity with the provisions of this Zoning Code, the certificate therefore shall be issued within fifteen days after the application for the same has been made.
(c) Every application for a zoning certificate shall be accompanied by one plot plan, and such other plans as shall be necessary to show the location and type of buildings to be erected or alterations to be made. Where construction or physical improvement of the land is involved, the lot and location of the buildings to be erected thereon shall be staked out on the ground before construction is started, and all dimensions shown on filed plans shall be based on an actual survey.
(1) Each plan shall show the following:
A. The street providing access to the lot and the exact location of the lot in relation to the nearest cross street;
B. The name of the concerned lot plan, if any, and the lot numbers of the concerned and abutting properties;
C. The actual dimensions of the lot, the yard and other open space dimensions thereof, and the location and size of any existing structure thereon;
D. The location and size of the proposed structure and/or the proposed enlargement of the existing structure; and
E. Any other information which, in the judgment of the Zoning Inspector, may be necessary to provide for the enforcement of this Zoning Code.
(2) Each plan shall bear statements declaring:
A. That no part of the land involved in the application has been previously used to provide required yard space or lot area for another structure; and
B. Which abutting land was formerly that of the owner of the land involved in the application and, if any, the approximate date of the title transfer.
Where complete and accurate information is not readily available from existing records, the Zoning Inspector may require the applicant to furnish a survey of the lot by a registered engineer or surveyor.
Each property owner or authorized agent shall be required to attest to the correctness of the statements and data furnished with the application.
A file of such applications and plans shall be kept in the office of the Zoning Inspector.
(d) The Zoning Inspector shall not issue a zoning certificate for any application requiring site plan review by the Planning Commission, namely, planned unit development projects (Chapter 1180), mobile home parks (Section 1172.01), and commercial and industrial development projects (Section 1174.08), unless the proposed site plan has been approved by the Commission and any necessary zone changes are adopted by the Council.
(e) After construction or structural alteration for which a certificate/permit has been completed, the applicant of such certificate/permit shall notify the Zoning Inspector in writing within seven days from completion of the project. The Zoning Officer shall, within seven days of notification, inspect the construction or structural alteration and issue a certificate of completion if project is in conformity with the plan and zoning ordinance.
(Ord. 1466. Passed 4-11-94; Am. Ord. 1905. Passed 12-13-11.)