No person shall construct, erect, alter, convert or use any building or structure, or part thereof, nor change the use of any land, subsequent to the adoption of this chapter, until a building permit and/or certificate of occupancy has been issued by the Code Enforcement Officer. Applications for such permits shall be made to the Code Enforcement Officer prior to any construction activity and/or change in the use of land. The Officer shall review such applications and act upon them according to the requirements of this chapter, taking no action, however, until the Planning Board and/or Zoning Board of Appeals has first taken action, should the approval of either Board be required. A building permit shall authorize the applicant to proceed with construction proposed.

Prior to use of the structure or the change in use of the land, a certificate of occupancy shall be required and shall be issued by the Officer, provided all construction has been in accord with the building permit granted and/or the proposed use is in compliance with this chapter. The Code Enforcement Officer shall be authorized to make such inspections as he deems necessary to ensure that construction does, in fact, comply with this chapter.

The Code Enforcement Officer, with approval of the Town Board, may issue a temporary permit for an otherwise nonconforming structure or use which will promote public health, safety or welfare, provided such permit shall be of limited duration and the use or structure shall be completely removed within 90 days of expiration of the activity for which it was granted. A temporary permit shall not be valid beyond this period or three years from the date of issuance, whichever is shorter.

The Code Enforcement Officer shall ensure that all water supply and sewage disposal facilities proposed in connection with any building permit or certificate of occupancy application shall conform with New York State Department of Health guidelines.

It shall be the duty of the Code Enforcement Officer to issue a building permit, provided that he is satisfied that the structure, building, sign and the proposed use conform with all requirements of this chapter, and that all other reviews and actions, if any, called for in this chapter have been complied with and all necessary approvals secured therefor.

When the Code Enforcement Officer is not satisfied that the applicant's proposed development will meet the requirements of this chapter, he shall refuse to issue a building permit or certificate of occupancy, as the case may be, and the applicant may appeal to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

A building permit or certificate of occupancy may be revoked by the Code Enforcement Officer upon a finding that information provided in the application was inaccurate or invalid or that the construction or use has proceeded in a manner not consistent with the permit(s) granted.

No change of use shall be made in any building, structure or premises now or hereafter erected or altered that is not consistent with the requirements of this chapter. Any person desiring to change the use of his premises shall apply to the Code Enforcement Officer for a certificate of occupancy. No owner, tenant or other person shall use or occupy any building or structure thereafter erected or altered, the use of which shall be changed after the passage of this chapter, without first procuring a certificate of occupancy; provided, however, that a certificate of occupancy, once granted, shall continue in effect so long as there is no change of use, regardless of change in tenants or occupants.

Though compliance with the development and use standards of this chapter will still be required, the following activities shall not demand permits, except as may be required by the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code:

All applications shall be made on forms as shall be developed and periodically updated by the Code Enforcement Officer. Applications shall include plot plans and such other information as is required to determine compliance with the requirements of this chapter.

A zoning permit shall expire after 18 months if the applicant fails to complete the improvements as approved. An extension may be approved by the Code Enforcement Officer for good cause, provided that any extension of more than 12 months or subsequent extension of any length shall require approval of the Town Board.

The Code Enforcement Officer shall possess the right of entry onto private property that is the subject of any application under this chapter for the specific purposes of determining conformance with its requirements and investigating violations, subject to such constitutional protections as may apply. The Town of Cochecton and its Code Enforcement Officer shall also be granted unfettered access to any private community for these purposes as well as rendering emergency services and conducting damage assessments related to disaster relief.

Whenever a violation of this chapter occurs, any person may file a complaint in regard thereto. All complaints must be in writing and shall be filed with the Code Enforcement Officer, who shall properly record such complaint and immediately investigate and report thereon to the Town Board on the merits thereof.

Should any building or structure be erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered, repaired, converted or maintained, or any building, structure or land be used in violation of this chapter, the Town Board or the Code Enforcement Officer, in addition to other remedies, may institute an appropriate action or proceedings to prevent such unlawful erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, conversion, maintenance or use, to restrain, correct or abate such violation, to prevent the occupancy of said building, structure or land or to prevent any illegal act, conduct, business or use in or about such premises.

A violation of this chapter is hereby declared to be an offense punishable by a fine not exceeding $350 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed six months, or both, for conviction of a first offense; for conviction of a second offense, both of which were committed within a period of five years, punishable by a fine of not less than $350 nor more than $700 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed six months, or both; and, upon conviction for a third or subsequent offense, all of which were committed within a period of five years, punishable by a fine not less than $700 nor more than $1,000 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed six months, or both. However, for the purpose of conferring jurisdiction upon courts and judicial officers generally, violations of this chapter shall be deemed misdemeanors, and for such purpose only, all provisions of law relating to misdemeanors shall apply to such violations. Each day's continued violation shall constitute a separate additional violation.