No land, building or part thereof, shall hereafter be occupied by or for any use, unless and until a certificate of occupancy shall have been issued for such use. The following shall apply in the issuance of any certificates.
(A) Certificate for new use of land. No land heretofore vacant shall hereafter be used or an existing use of land be hereafter changed to a use of a different class or type unless a certificate of occupancy is first obtained for the new or different use.
(B) Certificate for new use of buildings. No building or structure, or part thereof, shall be changed to or occupied by a use of a different class or type unless a certificate of occupancy is first obtained for the new or different use.
(C) Certificate not to be issued. No certificate of occupancy shall be issued for any buildings, structure or part thereof, or for the use of any land which is not in accordance with all the provisions of this chapter.
(D) Certificates required. No building or structure, or parts thereof, which is hereafter erected or altered, shall be occupied or used or the same caused to be done, unless and until a certificate of occupancy shall have been issued for such building or structure.
(E) Certificates including zoning. Certificates of occupancy as required by the township building code for new buildings or structures, or parts thereof, or for alterations to or changes of use of existing buildings or structures, shall also constitute certificates of occupancy as required by this chapter.
(F) Certificates for existing buildings. Certificates of occupancy shall be issued for existing buildings, structures or parts thereof, or existing uses of land if, after inspection, it is found that such buildings, structures or parts thereof, or such use of land, are in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
(G) Records of certificates. A record of all certificates issued shall be kept on file in the office of the Building Inspector, and copies shall be furnished upon request to any person having a proprietary or tenancy interest in the property involved.
(H) Certificates of dwelling accessory buildings. Buildings or structures accessory to dwellings shall not require separate certificates of occupancy but may be included in the certificate of occupancy for the dwelling which shown on the plot plan and when completed at the same time as such dwelling.
(I) Application for certificates.
(1) Application for certificates of occupancy shall be made in writing to the Building Inspector on forms furnished by him or her, and such certificates shall be issued within five days after receipt of such application if it is found that the building or structures or part thereof, or the use of land is in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(2) If such certificate is refused for cause, the applicant therefor shall be notified of such refusal and cause thereof, within the aforesaid five-day period.
(J) Permits for temporary placement of a travel trailer as a residence or as a contractor’s on-site construction office.
(1) The Building Inspector may issue a permit for the temporary placement of a travel trailer for use as temporary living quarters during the actual construction of a single-family dwelling or as a contractor’s on-site construction office, subject to the following.
(a) The initial permit period shall not exceed 12 months. One extension not to exceed 12 months may be granted provided a valid building permit has been obtained and significant progress is being made toward completion of the permanent building, as determined by the Building Inspector.
(b) The travel trailer shall be properly connected to an approved septic tank/tile field disposal system and an adequate water supply well prior to occupancy.
(c) A cash performance guarantee shall be deposited, in an amount established by resolution of the Township Board, to ensure removal of the travel trailer unit upon expiration of the temporary permit.
(2) In the event of total loss of a dwelling or its being rendered uninhabitable due to fire, tornado, flood or similar natural disaster, the Building Inspector may approve the temporary placement of a travel trailer on the owner’s property for use as a residence while the dwelling is being rebuilt or replaced, subject to the following.
(a) A building permit for repair or replacement of the permanent residence must be obtained prior to placement of the temporary unit.
(b) The initial permit period for the temporary residence shall not exceed six months and not more than two extensions of three months each may be granted by the Building Inspector.
(c) A cash performance guarantee shall be deposited, in an amount established by resolution of the Township Board, to ensure removal of the temporary dwelling unit upon expiration of the temporary permit.
(Ord. passed 10-11-2000)