§ 8-582. Certificate of occupancy.

(a)

A certificate of occupancy shall be issued by the building official prior to any vacant land being occupied or used, except for agricultural purposes, or any building hereafter erected or structurally altered being occupied or used.

(b)

It shall be the responsibility of the building official to inform the applicant for a building permit of the requirement for a certificate of occupancy before occupying the premises. The applicant shall further be informed that it is the applicant's responsibility to make application for such certificate.

(c)

The request shall be made in writing by the applicant after the development project has been completed in conformance with unified government ordinances. Such certificate shall be issued within five days of receipt of such request by the building official, after final inspection by members of the development review committee, who shall certify that, in their opinion, the ordinances and regulations with which they are concerned have been met.

(d)

This requirement for review and certification by members of the development review committee shall not apply to single-family development or physical improvements consisting entirely of interior alteration and not affecting the exterior of a structure, except that the building official may request inspection and certification from members of the development review committee whenever assistance and support is necessary.

(e)

Pending the issuance of a regular certificate, a temporary certificate of occupancy may be issued by the building official for a period not exceeding six months, during the completion of alterations or during partial occupancy of a building pending its completion. Such temporary certificate shall be issued only after participation of the membership of the development review committee as described herein. Such temporary certificate shall not be construed as in any way altering the respective rights, duties or obligations of the owners or of the unified government relating to the use or occupancy of the premises or any other matter covered by this article, and such temporary certificate shall not be issued except under such restrictions and provisions as will adequately ensure the safety of the occupants.

(f)

A certificate of occupancy shall state that the building or proposed use of a building or land complies with the laws and ordinances of the unified government. A record of all certificates shall be kept on file in the office of the building official, and copies shall be furnished on request to any person having a proprietary or tenancy interest in the building affected. No fee shall be charged for a certificate of occupancy.

(Code 1964, § 2-281; Code 1988, § 8-608; Ord. No. 51427, § 1, 12-12-1972)