(A) Written application shall be made for a zoning certificate for the construction of a new building or the alteration of an existing building. A zoning certificate shall be issued within ten days after written request for the same has been made to the responsible authority or his or her agent, provided such construction or alteration is in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
(B) Written application for a zoning certificate for the use of vacant land, or for a change in the use of land or of a building, or for a change in a nonconforming use, as herein provided, shall be made to the responsible authority. If the proposed use is in conformity with the provisions of this chapter, the certificate therefore shall be issued within 16 days after the application for same has been made.
(C) Every application for a zoning certificate shall be accompanied by the permit fee hereafter provided for, a plot plan in duplicate, and such other plans as may be necessary to show the location and type of buildings to be erected or alterations to be made. Where construction or physical improvement of the land is involved, the lot and location of the buildings to be erected thereon shall be staked out on the ground before construction is started, and all dimensions shown on filed plans shall be based on an actual survey.
(1) Each plan shall show:
(a) The street providing access to the lot and the exact location of the lot in relation to the nearest cross street;
(b) The name of the concerned lot plan, if any, and the lot numbers of the concerned and abutting properties;
(c) The actual dimensions of the lot, the yard, and other open space dimensions thereof, and the location, size, and use of any existing structure thereon;
(d) The location, size, and use of the proposed structure and/or the proposed enlargement of the existing structure;
(e) Plans of the new construction showing material to be used; and
(f) Any other information which in the judgment of the responsible authority may be necessary to provide for the enforcement of this chapter.
(2) Each plan shall bear statements declaring:
(a) No part of the land involved in the application has been previously used to provide required yard space or lot area for another structure; and
(b) Which abutting land was formerly that of the owner of the land involved in the application, and, if any, the approximate date of title transfer.
(3) Where complete and accurate information is not readily available from existing records, the responsible authority may require the applicant to furnish a survey of the lot by a registered engineer or surveyor.
(4) Each property owner or authorized agent shall be required to attest to the correctness of the statements and data furnished with the application.
(5) A file of such applications and plans shall be kept in the office of the responsible authority.
(6) The responsible authority shall issue or reject the application according to this chapter and shall inform the applicant.
(7) Where construction or physical improvement of the land is involved, work must begin within one year of the date of the issuance of the zoning certificate and be completed within three years of the issuance of the zoning certificate.
(D) The responsible authority shall not issue a zoning certificate for any application requiring site plan review by the Planning Commission until the Commission approves the site plan.
(Ord. 1141, passed 9-1-1998)