(A) Certificate of Occupancy Required. Land shall not be occupied or used and a building which has been erected or altered shall not be occupied or used until a certificate of occupancy had been applied for and issued as follows:
(1) Occupancy of a Building. A zoning certificate of occupancy shall be required in addition to a building certificate of occupancy before a building that has been constructed, or an existing building that has been altered, moved, changed in use, or changed as to off-street parking or loading requirements may be occupied. A certificate of occupancy shall only be issued after the completion of the erection or alteration, or change in use of the building and the building is found, upon inspection, to conform to the provisions of this Zoning Code.
(2) Occupancy of Land. A zoning certificate of occupancy shall be required before occupancy of the land or where use of the land has been changed to a use different from the prior use. A certificate of occupancy shall be issued when it is determined, upon inspection, that the use conforms to the provisions of this Zoning Code.
(3) Change in Use of Nonconforming Building or Use. A certificate of occupancy shall be required whenever a nonconforming use of a building or land is changed, and shall not be issued until the Board of Zoning Appeals has approved the change.
(B) Temporary Certificate of Occupancy. Pending the issuance of a zoning certificate of occupancy, a temporary zoning certificate for all or partial occupancy of a building or land may be issued for a period not exceeding six months when, due to weather conditions, final grading or landscaping can not be completed before the building certificate of occupancy or temporary certificate of occupancy is ready. Such temporary certificate shall not be issued except under such restrictions and provisions as will adequately ensure the safety of the occupants.
(C) Applications. Applications for a certificate of occupancy are available in the office of the Zoning Administrator and shall include accurate information provided by the owner, or authorized representative, regarding the size and location of the lot, dimensions of all yards and open space, the use of land or building operations or processes and other pertinent information as may be requested by the City.
(D) Certification. The certificate of occupancy shall document that the building or proposed use of land or building conforms to the provisions of this Zoning Code.
(Ord. 5-2005, passed 3-23-05)