1.   No building or construction may be undertaken in the City until a building permit has been issued by the Building Official for any building, construction, erection, reconstruction, conversion, alteration, enlargement, extension, raising or moving of any building or structures or any portion thereof.  The construction or erection of items such as streets and roadways, public parks, sidewalks, driveways, fences and ornamental yard features and one accessory building (maximum 10 feet by 12 feet) shall be exempt from the permit requirements of this section, but shall comply with any applicable regulations found elsewhere in this Code.

2.   No change in the use or occupancy of land, nor any change of use or occupancy in an existing building, other than for single-family dwelling purposes, shall be made, nor shall any new building be occupied until a certificate of occupancy and the proper permits have been issued by the Building Official.  If a building permit has not been issued prior to the adoption of this chapter, every certificate of occupancy shall state that the new occupancy complies with all provisions of this chapter.  No permit for excavation for, or the erection or alteration of, any building shall be issued before the application has been made for a certificate of occupancy and compliance, and no building or premises shall be occupied until such certificate and permit is issued.  A careful record of all certificates, plans and permits shall be kept on file in the office of the Building Official.

3.   Every application for a zoning permit shall be in writing and delivered to the Building Official and shall be accompanied by a detailed set of plans, in duplicate, showing the size of the proposed building or structure, its location on the lot, the materials of which it is to be constructed and the details and type of construction to be used.  On the issuance of a permit, one set of the plans shall be retained by the Building Official as a permanent record and one set shall be returned to the applicant.  The Building Official may, at his/her own discretion, permit the substitution of a written statement covering the essential information required in place of the plans.

4.   Application Forms.  Blank forms shall be provided by the Building Official for the use of those applying for permits as provided for in this chapter.  Any permits issued by the Building Official shall be on standard forms for such purpose and furnished by the City.

5.   The fees to be charged for permits and certificates are available from the Building Official.

6.   A certificate of occupancy may be obtained for nonconforming uses.  Application for certificate of occupancy for nonconforming uses shall be accompanied by affidavits of proof that such nonconforming use was not established in violation of the zoning ordinance before the adoption of this chapter.

7.   The Building Official may issue a temporary Certificate of Occupancy when a delay in the planting of trees is warranted, as provided in Section 165.41(3) or a delay in paving of parking and stacking spaces, drives or aisles is warranted, as provided in Section 165.33(2)(G).