A. 
In general. Any work or other activity for which a zoning approval is required by this section may not be commenced or continued until:
(1) 
Proper zoning approval has been issued, showing that application has been made and that the building or part thereof and the proposed use thereof conform with the provisions of this Chapter 18:1;
(2) 
If a building permit is required, the location has been staked and inspected, as required by this article; and
(3) 
A building permit is required to locate, erect, or begin the construction, reconstruction, extension, conversion, or alteration of any structure.
B. 
Final certificates. A final certificate is required to:
(1) 
Use or allow the use of any land in any manner in which it was not used on the effective date of this Chapter 18:1;
(2) 
Use or allow the use of any structure or part of a structure that is created, erected, constructed, reconstructed, extended, converted, or structurally altered, in whole or in part, after the effective date of this Chapter 18:1;
(3) 
Change the use or allow the change of use of any land or structure after the effective date of this Chapter 18:1; or
(4) 
Use or occupy a structure or part of a structure for which a building permit is required.
A. 
Lot requirements. A zoning approval may not be issued until the Planning Director determines that the land to which the approval will be applicable:
(1) 
Was a lot of record on the effective date of this Chapter 18:1; or
(2) 
Is part of a subdivision that has been approved in accordance with Chapter 18:1, Part 7, Article XXVI.
B. 
Site plan requirements. A zoning approval may not be issued until any final site plan approval required under Chapter 18:1, Part 7, Article XXV, has been obtained.
C. 
Other requirements. The requirements of this article are in addition to any other requirements or approvals established by the Building Code and any other law, ordinance, rule, or regulation which now or hereafter establishes conditions requisite to any activity for which a zoning approval is required.
An applicant for a zoning approval has the burden of furnishing all information required by this article and establishing any fact necessary for the issuance of the zoning approval.
A. 
Filing. Application for a zoning approval shall be filed with the Planning Director by the owner of the lot to be affected or by the owner's attorney or agent.
B. 
Contents. The form of the application shall:
(1) 
Be prescribed by the Planning Director;
(2) 
Contain such information with regard to the lot and its neighboring lots, buildings, and uses as the Planning Director may deem necessary to determine and provide for the administration and enforcement of this Chapter 18:1; and
(3) 
Include at a minimum a drawing, approximately to scale, that shows:
(a) 
The size and location on the lot of every existing building and structure;
(b) 
The location, outlines, and dimensions of any proposed building or structure and its driveways; and
(c) 
The existing and intended use of the premises and of each building and other part thereof.
C. 
Fee. A filing fee, in an amount established by the County Commissioners, shall be paid at the time when the application is submitted.
A. 
Requirements. The Planning Director may not issue a building permit until the Planning Director determines that:
(1) 
The lot and the location of the proposed structures or other improvements on the lot have been staked out on the ground by the owner or the owner's agent and the locations staked have been inspected and approved by an authorized employee of the Department;
(2) 
The proposed building, structure, premises, and uses conform with all requirements of this Chapter 18:1;
(3) 
All necessary approvals have been issued by other County, state, or federal agencies whose approval is required in connection with any activity authorized under the building permit, such approvals including those required by the Building Code, the County Health Officer, the County Roads Ordinance, the Sediment Control Ordinance, and the Stormwater Management Ordinance;[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 23, Roads; Ch. 14:2, Erosion and Sediment Control; and Ch. 14:4, Stormwater Management.
(4) 
If the permit involves any construction that is subject to the Building Code, the requirements of the Building Code with respect to issuance of a building permit have been fulfilled; and
(5) 
If the permit involves any development that is subject to the provisions of Article XXV or XXVI of this Part 7, the necessary site plans and subdivision plans have been finally approved.
B. 
Scope. A building permit does not authorize the occupation or use of any land, building, structure, or sign until such time as a final certificate of occupancy has been issued.
A. 
In general. A building permit shall expire and be void for all purposes at the earlier of:
(1) 
The time when a final certificate is issued;
(2) 
Six months after the date the building permit is issued, if the construction for which it was issued has not been started; or
(3) 
If construction started within that time, six months after construction (other than incidental work or work involving no substantial progress toward completion) is terminated.
B. 
Effect of termination.
(1) 
If a building permit expires for any reason other than the issuance of a final certificate, all buildings or other improvements erected or made on the site since the issuance of the permit (including buildings or improvements, if any, not made in accordance with the permit) shall be removed and the site returned as nearly as possible to its condition prior to the time when the permit was issued.
(2) 
All removal and restoration required by this subsection shall be made at the sole expense of the owner of the site.
C. 
Extension.
(1) 
Upon written application by the owner, the Planning Director may, in writing, extend a building permit for a specified period, upon payment of such additional fee as may be prescribed by the County Commissioners.
(2) 
The cumulative length of all extensions under this subsection may not be more than nine months unless the Planning Director finds that:
(a) 
The building, structure, or other improvements have not been completed for reasons beyond the control of the owner and the owner's contractors and agents;
(b) 
All requirements of this Chapter 18:1 then in effect will be satisfied; and
(c) 
An original application would be approved for all work covered by the permit, if an original application were filed at that time.
A. 
In general.
(1) 
A final certificate shall be issued under this section after the Planning Director determines that all buildings, structures, signs, and proposed uses on the lot conform with the requirements of this Chapter 18:1.
(2) 
Compliance relating to approved site plans is determined through the submittal of an as-built by a registered civil engineer or professional land surveyor prior to issuance of a final certificate.
B. 
Occupancy certificates.
(1) 
If a building permit was issued and was subject to the Building Code, an occupancy certificate shall be issued in accordance with the requirements of the Building Code.
(2) 
Compliance relating to approved site plans is determined through the submittal of an as-built by a registered civil engineer or professional land surveyor prior to issuance of an occupancy certificate.
C. 
Zoning certificates. The Planning Director shall issue a zoning certificate if:
(1) 
In circumstances where no building permit is required under the provisions of this article, such as where the purpose for which a certificate is sought involves only the use of land, buildings, or structures, the Planning Director determines after investigating the land, buildings, or structures that a zoning certificate is authorized by Subsection A of this section; or
(2) 
In circumstances where a building permit was required but the work or activity involved was not subject to the Building Code, the Planning Director inspects the lot, buildings or other improvements, and thereafter determines that:
(a) 
All work has been completed as authorized; and
(b) 
That a zoning certificate is authorized by Subsection A of this section.
D. 
Notification by owner. It is the responsibility of the owner to notify the Planning Director of the owner's desire for any inspection necessary for a final approval.
E. 
Refusal to issue. The Planning Director shall promptly notify the owner of any reasons for refusal to issue a zoning certificate and specify a time within which the matters referred to in the notice are to be completed.