(a) New Buildings. No building hereafter erected shall be occupied or used, in whole or in part, until a certificate of occupancy has been issued by the Chief Building Inspector certifying that such building conforms to all provisions of law.
(b) Buildings Hereafter Altered. No building hereafter enlarged or extended, or so altered, wholly or in part, as to change its classification, and no building hereafter altered for which a certificate of occupancy has not been heretofore issued, shall be occupied or used, in whole or in part, until a certificate of occupancy has been issued by the Chief Building Inspector certifying that the work for which the permit was issued has been completed in accordance with all provisions of law; provided that if the occupancy or use of such building was not discontinued during the work of alteration, the occupancy or use of the building shall not continue for more than thirty days after completion of the alteration unless such certificate has been issued.
(c) Contents of Certificate. In addition to the certification as to compliance with the provisions of this section, the certificate of occupancy shall state the purposes for which the building may be used in its several parts, the maximum permissible live loads on the several floors, the number of individual persons that may be accommodated in the several stories, in case such number is limited by a provision of law or by the permit, and all special stipulations of the permit, if any.
(d) Temporary Occupancy. Upon request of the permittee, or of the owner, the Chief Building Inspector may issue a temporary certificate of occupancy for part of a building; provided that such temporary occupancy or use would not jeopardize life or property.
(e) Issuance and Filing. A certificate of occupancy shall be issued within five days after written application therefore, if the building at the time of such application shall be entitled thereto. Copies of certificates of occupancy shall be furnished, on request, to persons having a proprietary interest in the building. The certificate shall be withheld until approval of plumbing and electrical inspections has been given.
(f) Existing Buildings. Nothing in this section shall require the removal, alteration, abandonment of, nor prevent the continuance of the use and occupancy of a lawfully existing building, except as may be necessary for the safety of life or property. Upon written request from the owner, the Chief Building Inspector shall issue a certificate of occupancy for an existing building certifying after verification by inspection, the occupancy or use of such building; provided that at the time of issuing such certificate there are no pending violations of law or orders or rules.
(g) Change of Occupancy.
(1) No change of occupancy or use shall be made in a building hereafter erected or altered that is not consistent with the last issued certificate of occupancy for such building, unless a permit is issued. In case of an existing building, no change of occupancy that would bring it under some special provision of this section shall be made, unless the Chief Building Inspector finds, upon inspection, that such building conforms substantially to all provisions of law with respect to the proposed new occupancy and use, and issues a certificate of occupancy therefore.
(2) The use of a building or premises shall not be deemed to have changed because of a temporary vacancy or change of ownership or tenancy. The reestablishment in a building, after a change of occupancy has been made, of a prior use that would not have been permitted in a new building of the same type of construction is prohibited. The change from a specifically prohibited use to another specifically prohibited use shall not be made.
(h) Display of Certificate of Occupancy. Any and all business and/or commercial structures within the City of Lorain shall have a valid Certificate of Occupancy, which shall be posted or displayed conspicuously and within clear view of the public.
(Ord. 149-15. Passed 10-19-15.)