§ 23.06.02. Certificates and permits.

(A)

Zoning permit: It shall be unlawful for an owner to use or to permit the use of any structure, building or land, or part thereof, hereafter created, erected, changed, converted or enlarged wholly or partly, until a zoning permit has been issued by the zoning administrator. Such zoning certificate shall show that such building or premises or a part thereof, and the proposed use thereof, are in conformity with the provisions of the zoning code. It shall be the duty of the zoning administrator to issue a zoning permit, provided he is satisfied that the structure, building or premises, and the proposed use thereof, and the proposed methods of water supply and disposal of sanitary wastes conform with all applicable requirements of the zoning code.

(B)

Certificate of health officer: In every case where the lot is not provided and is not proposed to be provided with public water supply and/or the disposal of sanitary wastes by means of public sewers, the application shall be accompanied by a certificate of approval by the health officer of the city of the proposed method of water supply and/or disposal of sanitary wastes.

(C)

Occupancy permits: The purpose of any occupancy permit is to certify that the premises comply with the provisions of this and all other local codes and ordinances and is being used for the purposes set forth in the occupancy permit. Prior to the use or occupancy of any land or building for which a zoning permit is required, or for any change of use of any existing building or for any change of use of land, an occupancy permit shall be secured from the zoning administrator. All applications for occupancy permits shall be in writing on forms to be furnished by the zoning administrator.

(D)

Certificate of nonconforming use: The owner of the premises occupied by a lawful nonconforming use or building shall secure a certificate of nonconforming use from the zoning administrator. Such certificate shall be for the purpose of insuring to the owner the right to continue such nonconforming use.

(E)

Excavating permit: No permit for excavation shall be issued by the zoning administrator unless the plans, specifications and the intended use conform to the provisions of the Athens City Code. A permit shall be established by separate ordinance.

(F)

Filing plans: Every application for a zoning permit shall be accompanied by plans in duplicate, drawn to scale in black line or blue print or in a form acceptable to the zoning administrator, showing the actual shape and dimensions of the lot to be built upon or to be changed in its use, in whole or in part; the exact location, size and height of any building or structures to be erected or altered; in the case of a proposed new building or structure or proposed alteration of an existing building or structure as would substantially alter its appearance, drawings or sketches showing the front, side, and rear elevations of the proposed building or structure, or of the structure as it will appear after the work for which a permit is sought shall have been completed; the existing and intended use of each building or structure or part thereof; the number of families or housekeeping units the building is designed to accommodate; and, when no buildings are involved, the location of the present use and proposed use to be made of the lot; and such other information with regard to the lot and neighboring lots as may be necessary to determine and provide for the enforcement of the zoning code. One copy of such plans shall be returned to the owner when such plans shall have been approved by the zoning administrator, together with such zoning permit as may be granted. All dimensions shown on these plans relating to the location and size of the lot to be built upon shall be based on actual survey. The lot and the location of the building thereon shall be staked out on the ground before construction is started.

(G)

Administration schedule: The zoning administrator shall act upon all such applications on which he is authorized to act by the provisions of the zoning code within 30 days after they are filed in full compliance with all the applicable requirements. He shall either issue a zoning permit within the 30 days or shall notify the applicant in writing of his refusal of such certificate and the reasons therefore.

(H)

Fees: For all other zoning permits (including, but not limited to, remodeling and new construction) there shall be a fee as established by ordinance.

(Ord. No. 0-49-09, § I, 5-4-2009)