It shall be unlawful for any owner to use or permit the use of any building or part thereof hereafter erected, altered, converted or enlarged wholly or in part or transferred until a certificate of occupancy shall have been issued by the Construction Official. An application for a certificate of occupancy may be made by an owner, tenant, purchaser under contract or the legal representative of any of said persons. The certificate shall show that the building or part of a building and the proposed use conform to the requirements of this article and other applicable ordinances. It shall be the duty of the Construction Official to issue a certificate of occupancy only when he is satisfied that the building or part of a building and the proposed use thereof so conform. Occupancy permits shall be granted or denied, in writing, within five days from the date that a written request for the same is filed with the Construction Official.

Should the Construction Official decline to issue a certificate of occupancy, his reasons for doing so shall be stated, in writing, on the copy of the written request and the copy shall be returned to the applicant.

Upon written request from an owner, tenant, purchaser under contract or the legal representative of any of said persons, the Construction Official shall issue a certificate of occupancy for any building or use of land existing on October 6, 1970, certifying after inspection the extent and kind of use made of the building and whether the use conforms to the provisions of this article.

Any application for a certificate of occupancy for a building engaging in manufacturing, processing of any form of solid waste, mixing of chemicals or housing of materials that may impact upon the health, safety and welfare of the surrounding community must include the approval of the local health administrator and appropriate fire official.

On the serving of notice of any violation of any of the provisions or requirements with respect to any building or use thereof or of land as provided in this article, the certificate of occupancy for such use shall thereupon, without further action, be null and void and a new certificate of occupancy shall be required for any further use of the building or land.

A monthly report of the certificates of occupancy issued shall be filed with the Tax Assessor, Police Department, Combustible Bureau and Board of Health. A record of all certificates of occupancy shall be kept in the office of the Construction Official, and copies shall be furnished on request to the Planning Board or to any person having a proprietary or tenancy interest in the building or land affected. The charge for each copy shall be $5, except that there shall be no charge to a municipal agency.