(a) Zoning Certificate.
(1) No land shall be used or occupied and no land shall be excavated or graded and no building or other structure shall be erected, structurally altered, added to or moved until a Zoning Certificate shall have been issued in conformance with the provisions of this ordinance by the Zoning Administrator.
(2) A record of all Zoning Certificates issued shall be kept on file in the office of the Zoning Administrator, and copies shall be furnished, on request, to persons having a proprietary or tenancy interest in the building or land involved.
(b) Application Procedure.
(1) Application for a Zoning Certificate shall be made prior to grading, construction, alteration, moving of any structure, or change of land use.
(2) In addition to any other regulations set forth in the zoning ordinance, an application for a zoning certificate shall be subject to the conditions of the Drainage Ordinance, as well as the Flood Protection Areas Ordinance.
(3) Each application for a Zoning Certificate shall be accompanied by 2 copies of a plan drawn to a scale of not less than 100 feet to 1 inch. The plan shall show: the shape and dimensions of the lot on which the proposed building or use is to be erected or conducted, the location of the lot with respect to adjacent rights-of-way, setback lines of buildings on adjoining lots; the shape, dimensions, and location of all buildings, existing and proposed on the lot; the nature of the proposed use of the building or land; the location and dimensions of off-street parking; the means of ingress an egress to such space; and any other information the Zoning Administrator may deem necessary for consideration in enforcing the provisions of this ordinance.
(c) Issuance of Zoning Certificate. If the proposed plan conforms with the provisions of this ordinance, the Zoning Administrator shall issue a Zoning Certificate and return 1 copy of the plan to the applicant. The Zoning Administrator shall mark the plan as approved and attest to the same by his signature or his designated representative. All new construction or commercial permits will also be signed by the Zoning Inspector. The second copy of the plan, similarly marked, and a copy of the Zoning Certificate shall be retained by the Zoning Administrator.
(d) Expiration of Zoning Certificate. If the work described in any Zoning Certificate has not been substantially completed within six months of the date of issuance or if a vacant parcel of land for which a Zoning Certificate has been issued is not used for the purpose for which the permit was issued within six months of the date of issuance, the permit shall expire and be cancelled by the Zoning Administrator. Written notice shall be given to the persons affected together with notice that further work as described in the cancelled permit shall not proceed unless and until a new Zoning Certificate has been obtained.