This chapter shall be enforced by the Code Enforcement Officer. No building permit shall be issued or reissued except where all the provisions of this chapter have been complied with. The Code Enforcement Officer shall keep the Planning and Zoning Commission advised of all matters pertaining to the enforcement of this chapter other than routine duties and shall submit a monthly report to the Mayor and Council enumerating the applications received, inspections made, permits issued or refused, and other actions taken.

Where sufficient cause exists to believe that the terms of this chapter have been violated and where corrective action has not been taken nor an appropriate variance application to the Board of Adjustment filed, within 14 days of the issuance of a written notice of violation mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the record owner of the property where the violation occurs, the Code Enforcement Officer is authorized to issue an appearance ticket, either in person or by certified mail, directing the alleged violator to appear in a designated local criminal court at a designated future time in connection with the alleged and designated offense.

No building or structure shall be erected, added to, or structurally altered until a permit therefor as specified herein has been issued by the Code Enforcement Officer. No building permit shall be issued for any building under the Building Code adopted by Sussex County and the Town of Milton where said construction, addition, or alteration or use thereof would be in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter.

For zoning purposes, there shall be submitted with all applications for building permits two copies of a layout or plot plan drawn to scale showing the actual dimensions of the lot to be built upon, the exact size and location on the lot of the building and accessory buildings to be erected, and such other information as may be necessary to determine and provide for the enforcement of this chapter.

One copy of such layout or plot plan shall be returned when approved by the Code Enforcement Officer, together with such permit to the applicant, upon payment of the applicable fee as established in the currently effective Town of Milton Fee Schedule.

No building permit will be issued for a parcel until all fees due to the Town of Milton have been paid in full. Fees include but are not limited to property taxes, water bill, sewer bill, trash bill, professional fees, etc.

No land shall be occupied or used and no building or other structure erected, altered, extended, enlarged or, if a nonconforming use, restored, occupied, used, or changed in use until a certificate of occupancy has been issued by the Code Enforcement Officer stating that the building, other structure or proposed use thereof complies with the provisions of this chapter. Vacated existing commercial properties may not be used or occupied until a certificate has been issued to ensure that the new use or occupancy is permitted.

All certificates of occupancy for new or structurally altered buildings or structures shall be applied for coincident with the application for a building permit therefor. Such certificate of occupancy shall be issued within 30 days after the erection or alteration has been approved as complying with the provisions of this chapter.

The Code Enforcement Officer is hereby empowered to cause any building, other structure or tract of land to be inspected and examined and to order, in writing, the remedying of any condition found to exist therein or thereat in violation of any provision of this chapter. After any such order has been served, no work shall proceed on any building, other structure or tract of land covered by such order, except to comply with such order. No new structure on a parcel that has had a site plan approval may be occupied before a certificate of occupancy has been issued.