10:1.1. Zoning Administrator. This Ordinance shall be administered and enforced by the Building Inspector of the City of Fountain Inn, with the assistance of such other persons as the City Council may direct.

10:1.2. Duties of the Zoning Administrator. The duties of the Zoning Administrator shall include:

A.

Interpretation of the terms and provisions of this Ordinance, including the determination of the appropriateness and compatibility of uses permitted in certain districts which are not listed outright.

B.

Administration and enforcement of the provisions of this Ordinance relating to Building Permits and Zoning Certificates.

C.

Administration and enforcement of the provisions of this Ordinance relating to applications for uses permitted upon review, variances, appeals from an administrative decision and other actions before the Board of Zoning Appeals.

D.

The receipt of complaints from persons who allege that violations of this Ordinance have occurred, to properly investigate or cause to be investigated such complaints and to initiate or cause to be initiated action to prevent, enjoin, abate, or remove such violations.

E.

The maintenance of the official copy of the Zoning Map and other such records and official materials as may relate to the adoption, amendment, enforcement, or administration of this Ordinance.

F.

Other such duties as may properly relate to the accomplishment of the spirit and intent of this Ordinance.

10:2.1. Zoning Certificate. No land shall be used or occupied and no land shall be graded for construction and no building or other structure shall be erected, structurally altered, added to or moved until a Zoning Certificate shall have been issued in conformity with the provisions of this Ordinance by the Building Inspector.

A record of all Zoning Certificates issued shall be kept on file in the office of the Building Inspector, and copies shall be furnished, on request, to persons having a proprietary or tenancy interest in the building or land involved.

10:2.2. Application Procedure. Application for a Zoning Certificate shall be made prior to construction, alteration, or moving of any structure, or change of land use. Each application for a Zoning Certificate shall be accompanied by two copies of a plan drawn to a scale of not less than 100 feet to one inch. The plan shall show: the shape and dimensions of the lot on which the proposed building or use is to be erected or conducted, the location of the lot with respect to adjacent rights-of-way, the setback lines of buildings on adjoining lots, the shape, dimensions, and location of all buildings, existing and proposed, on the lot, the nature of the proposed use of the building or land, the location and dimensions of off-street parking and the means of egress and ingress to such space, and any other information the Zoning Administrator may deem necessary for consideration in enforcing the provisions of this Ordinance.

If the proposed plan conforms with the provisions of this Ordinance, the Building Inspector shall issue a Zoning Certificate and return one copy of the plan to the applicant. The Zoning Administrator shall mark the plan as approved and attest to the same by his signature. The second copy of the plan, similarly marked, and a copy of the Zoning Certificate shall be retained by the Zoning Administrator.

10:2.3. Expiration of Zoning Certificate. If the work described in any Zoning Certificate has not been substantially completed within one year of the date of issuance, or if a vacant parcel of land for which a Zoning Certificate has been issued is not used for the purpose for which the permit was issued within three months of the date of issuance, the permit shall expire and be canceled by the Zoning Administrator, and written notice shall be given to the persons affected, together with notice that further work as described in the canceled permit shall not proceed unless and until a new Zoning Certificate has been obtained.

10:3.1. Certificate of Occupancy. It shall be unlawful to use or occupy or permit the use or occupancy of any building or premises, or both, or part hereafter crated, erected, changed, converted, or wholly or partly altered or enlarged in its use or structure until a Certificate of Occupancy shall have been issued by the Zoning Enforcement Official stating that the proposed use of the building or land complies with the provisions of this Ordinance.

No nonconforming structure or use shall be maintained, renewed, changed, or extended until a Certificate of Occupancy shall have been issued by the Zoning Administrator. The Certificate shall state specifically how the nonconforming use differs from the provisions of this Ordinance, provided that upon enactment or amendment of this Ordinance, owners or occupants of nonconforming uses or structures shall have six months to apply for certificates. Failure to make such application within six months shall be presumptive evidence that the property was a conforming use at the time of enactment or amendment of this Ordinance.

A record of all Certificates of Occupancy issued shall be kept on file in the office of the Zoning Administrator, and copies shall be furnished, on request, to persons having a proprietary or tenancy interest in the building or land involved.

10:3.2. Application Procedure. Application for a Certificate of Occupancy shall be made coincidentally with the application for a Zoning Certificate. The Certificate of Occupancy shall be issued within five days after the erection, move, or structural alteration of any building or change in the use of any premises shall have been completed in conformity with the provisions of this Ordinance.

10:3.3. Temporary Certificate of Occupancy. A temporary Certificate of Occupancy may be issued by the Zoning Administrator for a period not exceeding six months during alterations or partial occupancy of a building pending the completion, or for bazaars, carnivals, and such; provided that such temporary permit may require such donations and safeguards as will protect the safety of the occupants and the general public.

10:3.4. Failure to Obtain Certificate of Occupancy. Failure to Obtain a Certificate of Occupancy shall be a violation of this Ordinance and punishable under Article 16 of this Ordinance.

Zoning Certificates or Certificates of Occupancy issued on the basis of plans and applications approved by the Zoning Administrator authorize only the use, arrangement, and construction set forth in such approved plans and applications. Use, arrangement, or construction that differs from that authorized shall be deemed a violation of the Ordinance and punishable as provided by Article 16 of this Ordinance.

If the request for a Zoning Certificate is disapproved or if a Certificate of Occupancy is denied, the applicant may appeal the action of the Zoning Administrator to the Board of Zoning Appeals.