(a)   This Zoning Ordinance shall be administered and enforced by the Zoning Inspector. The Zoning Inspector or any authorized assistant thereof, upon proper identification, shall have the right to enter upon any land or into any building for the purpose of making an inspection or acquiring information to determine whether or not the property and the use thereof conform to the requirements of this Zoning Ordinance. It is the intention of this Ordinance that all questions arising in connection with enforcement and interpretation shall be presented first to the Zoning Inspector. Appeal from his decision may be made to the Planning Commission. The Zoning Inspector shall be appointed by the Village Administrator.

   (b)   If the Zoning Inspector shall find that any of the provisions of this Zoning Ordinance are being violated, he shall notify the owner or his or her agent in writing of the violation and order the action necessary to correct it. He shall order the discontinuance of illegal use of land, buildings, or structures; removal of illegal buildings or structures or of illegal additions or alterations or structural changes; discontinuance of any illegal work being done; or shall take any other action authorized by this Ordinance to insure compliance with or prevent violations of its provisions.

   (c)   The Zoning Inspector's duties also include:

      (1)   Making and maintaining records of all applications for permits and requests listed herein;

      (2)   Recording all permits issued or denied, with notations of all special conditions or modifications involved;

      (3)   Filing and safely keeping copies of all plans submitted, which shall form a part of the records of his office and shall be available for inspection at reasonable times by any interested person;

      (4)   Transmitting to the appropriate board or commission and to the Village Council all applications and plans for which their review and approval is required; and

      (5)   Issuing citations to the Mayor's court for violations of the Ordinance.

(Ord. 98-12. Passed 4-7-98; Ord. 2023-20. Passed 6-14-23.)

   (a)   No building or structure shall be built, altered, or repaired, no excavation made, no use established, no change of use of a building or land permitted, except pursuant to the issuance of a Zoning Permit. No Zoning Permit shall be issued by the Zoning Inspector except in conformity with the provisions of this Zoning Ordinance.

   (b)   Applications for Zoning Permits shall be made to the Zoning Inspector on forms provided. Each application shall be accompanied by a plot plan drawn to scale showing the location, size and shape of the parcel of land, the location and uses of structures with respect to the property lines and to the right-of-way, the intended use, height and dimensions of proposed structures, driveways and access, off-street parking provisions, and any other information the Zoning Inspector deems necessary for consideration of the application, and a fee as established by Village Council.

   (c)   If an application does not require Site Plan Review by the Planning Commission, the Zoning Inspector shall act upon said application within thirty (30) days after receipt of all required information. If the application complies with all applicable provisions of this Zoning Ordinance, the Zoning Inspector shall issue a Zoning permit. Otherwise, he shall give written notice of denial stating the reason therefor.

   (d)   If the applicable district regulations require a Site Plan Review by the Planning Commission, the Zoning Inspector shall, within thirty (30) days after receipt of a complete application, transmit the application for the Zoning Permit to the Commission, who shall cause the application to be placed on the agenda of the next regular Commission meeting. See Chapter 1153 for Site Plan Review.

   (e)   A Zoning Permit shall become void at the expiration of one (1) year after the date of issuance, unless construction has started or the use for which it was issued has commenced. If construction has not started or the use has not commenced operation within one (1) year of the date of the permit, a new permit is required and a reapplication, therefore, shall be made.

   (f)   Any person, firm, or corporation who has been refused a Zoning Permit by the Zoning Inspector may appeal such decision to the Planning Commission within thirty (30) days after the date of written refusal by filing with the Planning Commission, a written notice of such appeal following the procedures for such appeals as set forth in Section 1151.03.

(Ord. 98-12. Passed 4-7-98; Ord. 2008-27. Passed 12-30-08; Ord. 2023-20. Passed 6-14- 23.)

   (a)   No new building or part thereof shall be occupied, and no addition or enlargement of any existing building shall be occupied, and no existing building after being altered or moved shall be occupied, until the Zoning Inspector has issued a Certificate of Occupancy therefor. The change of occupancy provisions shall not apply to rooms intended for transient rental. Such certificate shall state that the building and proposed use comply with the provisions of this Zoning Ordinance and any other applicable regulations of the Village.

   (b)   Application for a Certificate of Occupancy shall be made to the Zoning Inspector by the owner or his agent at the same time as submitting an application for a Building Permit, if needed, or for a Zoning Permit. The Certificate of Occupancy shall be issued automatically by the Zoning Inspector after all final inspections have been made. Upon determination that all provisions of this Ordinance and any other applicable regulations have been complied with, a Certificate of Occupancy shall be issued by the Zoning Inspector. Where circumstances warrant, a temporary Certificate of Occupancy may be authorized by the Zoning Inspector for a specified period not to exceed six (6) months, during which period any remaining work shall be completed.

   (c)   Any person, firm, or corporation who occupies or uses any land, building, structure, or portion thereof for which a Certificate of Occupancy has not been issued shall be guilty of violating this Zoning Ordinance and shall be subject to the penalties set forth herein. In addition, any person, firm, or corporation who permits the occupancy or use of any building, structure, or portion thereof for which a Certificate of Occupancy has not been issued shall also be guilty of violating this Ordinance and shall be subject to such penalties.

(Ord. 98-12. Passed 4-7-98.)

   Wherever in this Zoning Ordinance a permit is required to be issued by the Village prior to any work or activity commencing or use being established, and where such work or activity is started or use established prior to obtaining such permit, the fee required for the issuance of such permit shall be doubled. The payment of such double fee shall not relieve any person from fully complying with the requirements of applicable ordinances of the Village, regulations of Wayne County or laws of the State of Ohio, and either the Village, County or the State of Ohio may otherwise enforce any violation of law.

(Ord. 2002-34A. Passed 11-19-02.)