No building hereafter erected shall be occupied
or used, in whole or in part, for any purpose whatever until a certificate
of occupancy shall have been issued by the Building Inspector, certifying
that such building conforms to the approved plans and specifications
and the requirements of this code applying to buildings of its class
and kind.
No building hereafter altered which was vacant
during the progress of the work of alteration shall be occupied or
used, in whole or in part, for any purpose whatever until a certificate
of occupancy shall have been issued by the Building Inspector, certifying
that the work for which the permit was issued was completed in accordance
with the approved plans and specifications and the provisions of this
code applying to such alteration; and when the occupancy or use of
a building has continued during the work of alteration, the occupancy
or use of the building shall not continue for more than 30 days after
completion of the alteration unless such certificate shall have been
issued.
Nothing in this article shall prevent the continuance
of the present occupancy and use of any existing building, except
as may be otherwise specifically prescribed by this code or as may
be necessary for the safety of life or property. Upon written request
from the owner, the Building Inspector shall issue a certificate of
occupancy for an existing building, certifying, after verification
by inspection, the occupancy or use of such building, provided that
at the time of issuing such certificate there are no notices of violation
or other notices or orders pending in the office of said Building
Inspector.
No change of occupancy or use shall be made
in any building or part thereof hereafter erected or altered that
is not consistent with the last-issued certificate of occupancy for
such building. In case of an existing building, no change of occupancy
that would bring it under some special provision of this code shall
be made unless a certificate is issued by the Building Inspector certifying
that such building conforms to the provisions of this code with respect
to buildings hereafter altered for the proposed new occupancy and
use.
A certificate of compliance with the provisions
of this Building Code shall be a prerequisite to the use or occupancy
of any building hereafter altered and to the use of any garage, swimming
pool or other construction for which a building permit was issued;
provided, however, that this section shall not apply to construction
of new buildings.
Upon request of the owner or his authorized
representative, the Building Inspector shall issue a temporary certificate
of occupancy for part of a building, provided that such temporary
occupancy or use would not in any way jeopardize life or property.
In addition to the certification required by
this code, as to compliance with approved plans and specifications
and provisions of this code, all certificates of occupancy shall state
the purposes for which the building may be used in its several parts,
the maximum permissible live loads on the several floors, the number
of persons that may be accommodated in the several stories in case
such number is limited by any provisions of this chapter or the approved
specifications and all special stipulations of the permit, if any.
Certificates of occupancy shall be issued within
10 days after the written application therefor if said building, at
the date of such application, shall be entitled thereto. A record
of all such certificates shall be kept in the office of the Building
Inspector, and copies shall be furnished on request to any person
having a proprietary interest in the building affected.
[Added 5-12-1980 by L.L. No. 3-1980; amended 1-13-1986 by L.L. No. 2-1986; 1-7-1991 by L.L. No.
1-1991]
The fees for certificates of occupancy shall be as provided in Chapter A350, Fees.
