Certificates for occupancy and compliance shall be applied for coincidentally with the application for a building permit for the construction, expansion, or renovation of any structure and shall be issued within 10 days after the lawful erection or alteration of the building is completed. 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 permit for excavation for, or the erection or alteration of, any building shall be issued before the application has been made for certificate of occupancy and compliance; and no building or premises shall be occupied until that certificate and permit are issued. A certificate of occupancy shall be maintained by the Building Official for all nonconforming uses and shall verify that such nonconforming use was not established in violation of Section 170.10 or amendments thereto. Nothing in this section shall prevent the continuance of a nonconforming use as hereinbefore authorized, unless a discontinuance is necessary for the safety of life or property. This section shall not be construed to allow the occupancy or use of land or structures in a manner which does not comply with the terms of the Zoning Ordinance. In the event that an illegal use is established under circumstances not requiring a building permit, the Building Official is empowered to take action as provided in Section 170.30.