Restrictions
Occupancy will not be permitted before a final inspection has been performed and passed, and a Certificate of Occupancy has been issued. Occupancy without a Certificate will result in the issuance of a citation by the Building Inspector and, with a guilty verdict, could result in a fine of up to $500 a day. Each day a building is occupied without a Certificate of Occupancy is considered a separate offense. In addition, a Certificate of Occupancy will not be issued unless all public improvements (sidewalks, water valves, etc.) serving the building lot are undamaged (Chapter 500, Article II, Section 500.040, D).
Temporary Certificates of Occupancy
A Temporary Certificate of Occupancy can only be issued after a final inspection has been completed. The 2012 International Residential Code allows for the issuance of a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy, at the discretion of the Building Inspector, only if all safety considerations have been met to the satisfaction of the building code. Per City Ordinance No. 405.790(d), the BUILDS Department may approve temporary occupancy permits if occupancy is sought at a season of the year, November first to March first, in which it is impractical to plant trees, shrubs or grass or to lay turf.