No vacant land shall be occupied or used, and no structure or addition thereto or parking area hereafter constructed, built, moved, remodeled, or reconstructed shall be occupied or used, and no use of any land or structure shall be changed to any other use, until a Zoning Certificate of Compliance or Occupancy has been issued by the Zoning Administrator certifying that the proposed use or occupancy is in conformity with all requirements of this Zoning Code and all fees have been paid in accordance with the schedule of fees established by Council. A Zoning Certificate of Compliance or Occupancy is required for a new or changed use of land or structures where no Zoning Permit is required and must be approved by the Zoning Administrator before any such land or structures shall be occupied or used.
(a) Issuance. No Zoning Certificate of Compliance or Occupancy shall be issued until the premises have been inspected and certified by the Chief Building Official and Zoning Administrator to be in full and complete compliance with all the applicable regulations for the zoning district in which it is located, as well as any plans and specifications upon which a Zoning Permit for the property was issued. However, the Zoning Administrator may issue a Zoning Certificate of Compliance or Occupancy to an applicant who has not, or whose predecessor/s in interest have not obtained a Zoning Certificate of Compliance or Occupancy for a change in use of any land or structure as required by law at the time such change in use occurred, provided the Zoning Administrator determines that such applicant, or his predecessor/ss in interest, then required by law would have been entitled to the issuance of a Certificate of Compliance or Occupancy.
A Zoning Certificate of Compliance or Occupancy shall be issued, or written notice shall be provided to the applicant stating the reasons why a certificate cannot be issued, within a reasonable time frame after the receipt of an application and all required fees therefore, or after the Zoning Administrator is notified in writing that the structures or premises are ready for inspection for a Zoning Certificate of Compliance or Occupancy.
(b) Temporary Certificate of Compliance or Occupancy. Pending the issuance of a Zoning Certificate of Compliance or Occupancy, a temporary Certificate of Compliance or Occupancy may be issued to be valid for a period not to exceed six months from its date pending the completion of any addition or during partial occupancy of the premises. The fees for a Temporary Certificate of Compliance or Occupancy shall be set by Council and be in addition to any fees required for an application for a Zoning Certificate of Compliance or Occupancy.
(c) Contents of Certificate; Records. The Zoning Certificate of Compliance or Occupancy shall state that the structure, or use of a structure or land, complies with the Zoning Code and all other applicable laws and ordinances. If the use is lawfully nonconforming, the certificate shall so state. A record of all certificates shall be kept on file in the office of the Zoning Administrator.
(Ord. 106-2020. Passed 9-21-20.)