No person, firm, or corporation shall commence, cause to be done, or perform any other work associated with the erection, enlargement, alteration, improvement, conversation, or change in the nature of the use or occupancy of any building, structure, or lot without first obtaining a building permit and certificate of occupancy where required by this chapter and all other applicable local, state, and federal rules, laws, and regulations.
A. 
Applications.
(1) 
For principal permitted uses. All such applications shall be accompanied by plans, in duplicate, drawn to scale, showing the actual shape and dimensions of the lot to be built upon, the exact size and location of any building, structure, sign, parking or loading area or other physical feature existing or proposed on the lot, the existing and intended use of each building or part of a building, the number of families, housing units, employees, offices or other appropriate units of occupancy which the building is designed to accommodate, and such other information as may be necessary to determine compliance with this chapter. One copy of such plans shall be returned to the owner when such plans shall have been approved by the CEO; and one copy each of all applications with accompanying plans and documents shall become a part of the public record after a permit has been issued or denied.
(2) 
All such applications shall be accompanied by plans as required in Subsection B(1) above and other information as may be required by the Planning Board, except that for planned unit development groups, the following shall also be furnished: A general site plan showing the use or uses, dimensions and locations of proposed structures and of areas to be reserved for vehicular and pedestrian circulation, parking, public uses such as schools and playgrounds, landscaping and other open spaces, and architectural drawings and sketches demonstrating the design and character of the proposed uses and the physical relationship of the uses, and such other pertinent information as may be required to determine that the proposed arrangements and/or uses make it desirable to apply regulations and requirements differing from those ordinarily applicable under this chapter.
B. 
Issuance of permits.
(1) 
It shall be the duty of the CEO, or his duly authorized assistant, to issue a building permit, provided that compliance with all requirements of this chapter are met, and that review and action by any other board or agency, if any, as called for in this chapter have been complied with and all necessary approvals secured thereof.
(2) 
All building permits shall be issued in duplicate, and one copy shall be kept conspicuously on the affected premises whenever construction work is being performed thereon. No owner, contractor, workman or other person shall perform any building operation of any kind unless a building permit covering such operation has been previously issued and is being displayed as required by this chapter, nor shall they perform building operations of any kind after notification of the revocation of said building permit.
C. 
Denial of permits. When an application for a proposed development does not meet the requirements of this chapter the CEO or his duly authorized assistant shall refuse to issue a building permit stating the reasons for said denial which shall be a part of the public record. The applicant may appeal to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a reversal of such decision.
D. 
Revocation of permits. If it shall appear at any time that the application or accompanying plot is in any material respect false or misleading, or that work is being done upon the premises differing materially from that called for in the application filed with the CEO under existing laws or ordinances, the CEO may forthwith revoke the building permit, whereupon it shall be the duty of the person holding the permit to surrender same and all copies thereof to the CEO.
A. 
For new uses.
(1) 
It shall be unlawful to use or permit the use of any building or premises or part thereof, hereafter created, erected, changed, converted, or enlarged, wholly or partly in its use or structure, unless a certificate of occupancy shall have been issued by the CEO.
(2) 
Said permit shall be issued in duplicate within 10 days after notification by the owner or duly authorized agent that all requirements have been met and upon sworn application by the owner or duly authorized agent of same and after actual inspection of the premises by the CEO or the duly authorized assistant and upon finding that the facts are as represented.
(3) 
The occupancy permit will certify that the premises comply with the provisions of this chapter and with the provisions of the Building Code and may be used for the purposes set forth in the permit. No change of use shall be made in any building, structure or premises now or hereafter erected or altered that is not consistent with the requirements of this chapter.
(4) 
Any person desiring to change the use of said premises shall apply to the CEO for an occupancy permit setting forth under oath such facts as the CEO may require.
(5) 
A copy of the occupancy permit shall be kept at all times upon the premises affected and shall be displayed upon request by any building inspector, City fireman, or police officer.
(6) 
A record shall be kept of all occupancy permits issued, and original applications shall be kept on file in the same manner as prescribed for building permits.
(7) 
No owner, tenant or other person shall occupy or use any building or structure thereafter erected or altered the use of which shall be changed after the passage of this chapter, without first procuring an occupancy permit, provided that an occupancy permit, once granted, shall continue in effect so long as there is no change of use, regardless of change in the personnel of tenants or occupants.
(8) 
Under such rules and regulations as may be established by the CEO, a temporary certificate of occupancy may be issued for a part of the building.
B. 
For existing and nonconforming uses.
(1) 
Upon written request from the owner, the CEO shall issue a certificate of occupancy for any existing use legally existing at the time of the effective date of this chapter and a certificate of nonconformance for any uses not legally existing at the time of the effective date of this chapter.
(2) 
The CEO shall certify, after inspection, the extent and kind of use made of the building or premises at the time of inspection and shall charge a fee in accordance with the City of Lockport Fee Schedule.