1.   Zoning Certificates. Except as hereinafter provided, no permit pertaining to the use of land or buildings will be issued by an officer, department, or employee of the City unless the application for such permit has been examined by the Building and Zoning Enforcement Officer and has affixed to it an acknowledgement, indicating that the proposed building or structure complies with all the provisions of this Code. Any permit or certificate issued in conflict with the provisions of the Code will be null and void.

   A.   Plats. In order to insure that the building or structure conforms with the provisions of this code, the Building and Zoning Enforcement Officer will require the following prior to the issuance of a building permit;

      (1)   A plat (original or reproduction thereof), in duplicate of the piece or parcel of land, lot, lots, block, or blocks drawn to scale showing the actual dimensions, as certified by a registered land surveyor as a true copy of the piece or parcel, lot or lots, block, or blocks, or portions thereof, according to the registered or recorded plat of such land; or,

      (2)   A plat, in duplicate, drawn to a scale in such form as may, from time to time, be prescribed by the Building and Zoning Enforcement Officer showing the ground area, height, and bulk of the building or structure, the building lines in relation to lot lines, the use to be made of the building, structure, or land, and such other information as may be required by the Building and Zoning Enforcement Officer for the proper enforcement of this Code.

2.   Occupancy Permits. No building or addition thereto, constructed after the effective date of this Zoning Code, and no addition to a previously existing building will be occupied, and no land, vacant on the effective date of this Zoning Code, will be used for any purpose until an occupancy permit has been issued. No change in a use, other than that of a permitted use to another similar permitted use, will be made until an occupancy permit has been issued by the Building and Zoning Enforcement Officer. Every occupancy permit will indicate that the use or occupancy complies with the provision of this Code.

   A.   Application for Occupancy Permit. Every application for a building permit will be deemed to be an application for an occupancy permit. Every application for an occupancy permit for a new use of land where no building permit is required will be made directly to the Building and Zoning Enforcement Officer; and,

   B.   Issuance of Occupancy Permit. No occupancy permit for a building or portion thereof, constructed after the effective date of this Zoning Code, will be issued until construction has been completed and the premises inspected and certified by the Building and Zoning Enforcement Officer to be in conformity with the plans and specifications upon which the zoning certificate was based.

      (1)   Pending the issuance of a regular certificate, a temporary certificate may be issued to be valid for a period not to exceed six months from its date during the completion of any addition or during partial occupancy of the premises. Reasons in writing for refusal to issue an occupancy permit must be forwarded to the applicant no later than three days after the request for an occupancy permit.