§ 7. Administration and enforcement—Building permits and certificates of zoning compliance.

1.

Administration and enforcement. An administrative official designated by the (city council or city manager) shall administer and enforce this ordinance. He may be provided with the assistance of such other persons as the (city council or city manager) may direct.

If the administrative official shall find that any of the provisions of this ordinance are being violated, he shall notify in writing the person responsible for such violations, indicating the nature of the violation and ordering the action necessary to correct it. He shall order discontinuance of illegal use of land, buildings, or structures; removal of illegal buildings or structures or of illegal additions, alterations, or structural changes, discontinuance of any illegal work being done; or shall take any other action authorized by this ordinance to ensure compliance with or to prevent violation of its provisions.

2.

Building permits required. No building or other structure shall be erected, moved, added to, or structurally altered without a permit therefor, issued by the administrative official except in conformity with the provisions of this ordinance, unless he receives a written order from the City Council in the form of an administrative review, special exception, or variance as provided by this ordinance.

3.

Application for building permit. All applications for building permits shall be accompanied by plans in triplicate drawn to scale, showing the actual dimensions and shape of the lot to be built upon; the exact sizes and locations on the lot of buildings already existing, if any; and the location and dimensions of the proposed building or alteration. The application shall include such other information as lawfully may be required by the administrative official, including existing or proposed building or alteration; existing or proposed uses of the building and land; the number of families, housekeeping units, or rental units the building is designed to accommodate, conditions existing on the lot; and such other matters as may be necessary to determine conformance with, and provide for the enforcement of this ordinance.

One (1) copy of the plans shall be returned to the applicant by the administrative official, after he shall have marked such copy either as approved or disapproved and attested to same by his signature on such copy. The original and one (1) copy of the plans, similarly marked, shall be retained by the administrative official.

4.

Certificates of zoning compliance for new, altered, or non-conforming uses. It shall be unlawful to 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 shall have been issued therefor by the administrative official stating that the proposed use of the building or land conforms to the requirements of this ordinance.

No non-conforming structure or use shall be maintained, renewed, changed, or extended until a Certificate of Zoning Compliance shall have been issued by the administrative official. The Certificate of Zoning Compliance shall state specifically wherein the non-conforming use differs from the provisions of this ordinance, provided that upon enactment or amendment of this ordinance, owners or occupants of non-conforming uses or structures shall have three (3) months to apply for Certificates of Zoning Compliance. Failure to make such application within three (3) months shall be a violation of this ordinance and shall be punishable under section 13 of this 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 ordinance upon completion of the work.

A Temporary Certificate of Zoning Compliance may be issued by the administrative official for a period not exceeding six (6) months during alterations or partial occupancy of a building pending its completion, provided that such Temporary Certificate may include such conditions and safeguards as will protect the safety of the occupants and the public.

The administrative official shall maintain a record of all Certificates of Zoning Compliance, and a copy shall be furnished upon request to any person.

Failure to obtain a Certificate of Zoning Compliance shall be a violation of this ordinance and punishable under section 13 of this ordinance.

5.

Expiration of building permit. If the work described in any building permit has not begun within ninety (90) days from the date of issuance thereof, said permit shall expire; it shall be cancelled by the administrative official; and written notice thereof shall be given to the persons affected.

If the work described in any building permit has not been substantially completed within two (2) years of the date of issuance thereof, said permit shall expire and be cancelled by the administrative official, and written notice thereof shall be given to the persons affected, together with notice that further work as described in the cancelled permit shall not proceed unless and until a new building permit has been obtained.

6.

Construction and use to be as provided in application, plans, permits, and certificates of zoning compliance. Building permits or certificates of zoning compliance issued on the basis of plans and applications approved by the administrative official authorize only the use, arrangement, and construction set forth in such approved plans and applications, and no other use, arrangement, or construction. Use, arrangement, or construction at variance with that authorized shall be deemed violation of this ordinance, and punishable as provided by section 13 hereof.