(a) CERTIFICATE OF ZONING COMPLIANCE. No person shall use or occupy or permit the use or occupancy of any building or premises, or both, or part thereof, hereafter created, erected, changed, converted, or wholly or partly altered or enlarged in its use or structure until a certificate of zoning compliance has been issued therefore by the zoning office, stating that the proposed use of the building or land conforms to the requirements of this Zoning Ordinance. No nonconforming structure or use shall be renewed, changed or extended until a certificate of zoning compliance has been issued by the zoning office. The certificate of zoning compliance shall state specifically wherein the nonconforming use differs from the provisions of this Zoning Ordinance. No permit for erection, alteration, moving or repair of any building shall be issued until an application has been made for a certificate of zoning compliance, and the certificate shall be issued in conformity with the provisions of this Zoning Ordinance upon completion of the work. A temporary certificate of zoning compliance may be issued by the zoning office for a period not exceeding six months during alterations or partial occupancy of a building pending its completion, provided that such temporary certificate may require such conditions and safeguards as will protect the safety of the occupants and the public. The zoning office shall maintain a record of all certificates of zoning compliance, and copies shall be furnished at cost upon request. Failure to obtain a certificate of zoning compliance shall be a violation of this Zoning Ordinance and punishable under the provisions of this Zoning Ordinance.
(b) ZONING OFFICE. The Economic and Community Development Department shall function as the city’s zoning office. The zoning office shall administer and enforce this Zoning Ordinance. If the zoning office staff finds that any of the provisions of this Zoning Ordinance are being violated, the zoning office shall notify in writing the person responsible for each violation, indicating the nature of the violation and ordering the action necessary to correct it. The zoning office staff shall order discontinuance of illegal use of land, buildings or structures; removal of illegal buildings or structures or additions, alterations or structural changes thereto; discontinuance of any illegal work being done; or shall take any other action authorized by this Zoning Ordinance to insure compliance with or to prevent violation of its provisions. No building permit shall be issued except in conformity with the provisions of this Zoning Ordinance.
(c) CONFORMITY OF STRUCTURE TO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND ORDINANCE. After a comprehensive plan and an ordinance containing provisions for subdivision control and the approval of plats and replats have been adopted and a certified copy of the ordinance has been filed with the court clerk, within the City’s corporate limits, a structure shall not be located and a zoning compliance certificate for a structure on platted or unplatted lands shall not be issued unless the structure and its location conform to the City’s comprehensive plan and ordinance. A structure shall not be located and a zoning compliance certificate shall not be issued for a structure on unincorporated lands within the jurisdiction of the City Planning Commission unless the structure and its location conform to the City’s comprehensive plan and ordinance.
(d) AUTHORITY TO ISSUE AND CONTROL. The ordinance may designate a City official or employee who shall have authority to issue and control zoning compliance certificates within the jurisdiction of the commission and in conformity with the comprehensive plan and ordinance.