A. Purpose and applicability. A certificate of occupancy is required prior to the occupancy, use or change of occupancy or change of use of any building or part of a building in order to ensure conformance with all applicable requirements of this chapter. No building hereafter enlarged, extended or altered, or upon which work has been performed which required the issuance of a building permit, shall continue to be occupied or used for more than 30 days after the completion of the alteration or work, unless a certificate of occupancy shall have been issued by the Building Inspector. A certificate of occupancy shall be deemed to authorize, and is required for, both initial and continued occupancy and use of the building or land to which it applies.
B. Procedure.
(1) Step one: Application submittal. Applicable, with the following additions:
(a) The applicant shall submit an application only after the erection of the subject building or part thereof has been completed in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
(b) The applicant shall include a statement that the building or the proposed use of a building or land complies with all applicable provisions of this chapter and, if applicable, all provisions of any variance or requirements for any special permit with every application.
(c) In the case of a new building, the applicant shall include an accurate survey prepared by a licensed surveyor showing the location of all buildings as built.
(2) Step two: Determination of application completeness. Applicable.
(3) Step three: Application referral, review and staff report. Applicable.
(4) Step four: Public notice. Not applicable.
(5) Step five: Public hearing. Not applicable.
(6) Step six: Decision and findings. Applicable. A certificate of occupancy shall be issued within 10 days after receipt of a complete application, subject to the criteria below.
C. Criteria.
(1) When, after final inspection, it is found that the proposed work has been completed in accordance with the applicable building laws, ordinances and regulations; and also in accordance with the application, plans and specifications filed in connection with the issuance of the building permit, the Building Inspector shall issue a certification of occupancy upon the form provided by him. If it is found that the proposed work has not been properly completed, the Building Inspector shall refuse to issue a certificate of occupancy and shall order the work completed in conformity with the building permit and in conformity with the applicable building regulations.
(2) The certificate of occupancy shall certify that the work has been completed, and that the proposed use and occupancy is in conformity with the provisions of the applicable building laws, ordinances and regulations, and shall specify the use or uses and the extent thereof to which the building or structure or its several parts may be put.
(3) No certificate of occupancy shall be issued for any use of a building or of land allowed by special permit unless and until such special permit has been duly issued. Every certificate of occupancy for which a special permit has been issued or in connection with which a variance has been granted shall contain a detailed statement of such special permit or variance and of any conditions to which the same is subject.
(4) Upon request, the Building Inspector may issue a temporary certificate of occupancy for a building or structure, or part thereof, before the entire work covered by the building permit shall have been completed, provided such portion or portions as have been completed may be occupied safely without endangering life or the public welfare.
