(a) In General. A certificate of occupancy shall be applied for by the owner of the property in question or his or her agent and shall be issued by the Building Commissioner as a condition precedent to the occupancy and/or use of a building and land as follows:
(1) Occupancy of a building erected or altered. A certificate of occupancy shall be required before occupancy of a new building, or before occupancy of an existing building which has been altered, moved or changed in use or the off-street parking requirements of which have been increased. Such certificate shall only be issued after the erection or alteration of a building, or a component thereof, or after a required accessory use has been provided and found by inspection to be in conformity with the provisions of this Zoning Code and the Building Code. No occupancy permit shall be issued for any residential or nonresidential structure requiring the issuance of an occupancy permit until a site plan setting forth the final topography of the site has been submitted by the owner or his or her agent and until the City Engineer has certified that the finished grade conforms and complies with the topographical site plans submitted. The Building Commissioner and/or the City Engineer are permitted to issue a temporary conditional occupancy permit when necessary due to weather and/or other extenuating circumstances. In all cases, final grading must be completed by the first day of June following completion of the structure.
(2) Change in use of conforming building or land. A certificate of occupancy shall be required before occupancy of a conforming building or land where the use has been changed, provided the use is different from the prior use, and shall be issued when the use is found, upon inspection, to be in conformity with the provisions of this Zoning Code.
(3) Change in use of nonconforming building or land. A certificate of occupancy shall be required whenever a nonconforming building or land is changed, but shall not be issued until the Planning Commission has approved the change in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 1286.
(b) Record of Existing Building and Land Use. The Building Commissioner may inspect a building or tract of land existing on the effective date of this Zoning Code and may issue a certificate of occupancy therefor, certifying:
(1) The present use of the building or land;
(2) If such use conforms to all of the provisions of this Zoning Code; and
(3) If it is a lawfully existing nonconforming use.
(c) Applications for Certificates.
(1) An application for a certificate of occupancy may be submitted separately or may accompany an application for a building permit. Accurate information shall be furnished by the owner or his or her agent, as to size and location of the lot and the buildings or structures occupying the lot, the dimensions of all yards and open spaces, the use of the land or building, and all such information as may be included on a form to be furnished by the City of North Royalton.
(2) A record of all applications and certificates issued shall be kept on file in the office of the Building Commissioner and copies shall be furnished, upon request, to any person having a proprietary or tenancy interest in the building or land affected.
(Ord. 1970-232. Passed 9-15-71; Ord. 92-233. Passed 11-4-92.)