Upon a change of a commercial or business property's use, occupancy, or ownership, the Township's Building Official, Fire Inspector, and Code Enforcement Officer are authorized and directed to make inspections to determine whether the commercial or business property conforms to the requirements of this chapter and applicable Codes.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Board of the Charter Township of Huron 5-14-2025 by Ord. No. 25-06. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A.
New Buildings - No building erected, or property used hereafter shall be used or occupied in whole or in part prior to the Certificate of Occupancy being issued by the Community Development Department.
B.
Existing Buildings - No commercial building or property which has changed its use, occupancy, or ownership may be occupied or used without first securing a Certificate of Occupancy from the Community Development Department.
C.
Buildings Altered - No building or property shall be enlarged, extended or altered which results in a change of its use group under the Township Zoning Ordinance without first obtaining all necessary inspections and Township approvals including, but not limited to, a building permit and Certificate of Occupancy. Further, no establishment of prior use or occupancy shall be allowed until all inspections have been completed and a new Certificate of Occupancy has been issued by the Community Development Department certifying that the work has been completed in accordance with the Township's Ordinances and the provisions of the approved permit.
D.
Temporary Occupancy - Upon the request of a holder of a building permit, the Building Official may issue a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy for a building, structure, or any part thereof prior to the work covered by the permit being completed, provided that the portion or portions approved by the Building Official for temporary use or occupancy have been determined to be safe and able to be occupied prior to full completion of the building and do not otherwise endanger life or the public welfare.
E.
It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly make any false statement in an application for an occupancy permit.
A.
The Community Development Department shall issue a Certificate of Occupancy only after the commercial or business property has been inspected and found to comply with all applicable Codes and Ordinances of the Township.
(1)
An inspection report shall be completed by all necessary departments. The report shall note all violations found at the commercial property.
(2)
If a property is inspected because of an expected transfer and the transfer does not occur, the inspection report is valid for a six-month period.
(3)
Before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued, all violations must be corrected and approved. A Temporary Certificate of Occupancy may be issued provided no imminent danger is present to the inhabitants. All violations and/or repairs shall be corrected and reinspected within 30 days of the issuance of the Temporary Certificate of Occupancy. If this condition is not satisfied, the Certificate may be revoked.
(4)
The Building Official may revoke a Certificate of Occupancy for a violation of any Code, Ordinance, or Regulation of the Township
A.
A Certificate of Occupancy is not a warranty or guarantee that there are no defects in the commercial property, and the Township shall not be held responsible for defects or violations not noted in the inspection report.
B.
The inspection of the land use, exterior posture, and interior accessories of the structure is limited to visual inspection only. The Township does not guarantee or approve by inference any latent structural or mechanical defects thereto.
C.
Further, potential health impacts from asbestos, carbon dioxide, lead, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide, radon, particulates, water vapor, or other chemicals, vapors, fumes, or insects are not part of the Township's inspection.
D.
The Township shall not assume any liability to any person by reason of the inspection required by this chapter or the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.
A.
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this article, shall, upon admission or finding of responsibility for a municipal civil infraction thereof by any court of competent jurisdiction, be punished by a civil fine not to exceed $500. Any actions by the property owner to bring the property into compliance after the issuance of a citation shall not constitute a defense to a prosecution for violation of this article.
B.
The imposition of a penalty shall not preclude the initiation of appropriate legal action to restrain, correct or abate a violation, to prevent illegal occupancy of a use or unit or to stop an illegal act, conduct of a business, or use of a structure.
All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are repealed only to the extent necessary to give this chapter full force and effect.
If any article, section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this chapter is held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate distinct, and independent provision and such holding shall not affect the validity of remaining portions of the chapter, it being the intent of the Township that this chapter shall be fully severable.
This chapter was approved and adopted by the Township Board of Huron Charter Township, Wayne County, Michigan, on May 28, 2025, after introduction and a first reading on May 14, 2025, and publication after first reading as required by Act 359 of the Michigan Public Acts of 1947, as amended. This chapter shall be effective immediately upon publication, in The News Herald, a newspaper having general circulation in the Township.