Section 6-7 Certificate of Occupancy

§ 6-7.1 Use and Occupancy.

No building or structure shall be used or occupied, and no change in the existing occupancy classification of a building or structure or portion thereof shall be made until the code official has issued a certificate of occupancy. Prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, the Building Inspection Division shall have received all required approval from the following office: Planning and Zoning, Engineering, Easton Utilities, State Fire Marshals Office, Environmental Health, Soil Conservation Services, Maryland Department of the Environment, State Highway Administration and Middle Department Inspection Agency.

All required inspections for building, grading, demolition, swimming pools, signage, fuel gas, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permits associated with the building structure or portion thereof shall have been approved. (Ordinance 562 effective November 8th 2009)

§ 6-7.2 Validity of Certificate of Occupancy.

The issuance of a certificate of occupancy shall not be construed to be a certificate for, or an approval of, any violation of any of the provisions of these codes or of any other ordinance of the Town. Certificates presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of these codes or other ordinances of the Town shall not be valid. (Ordinance 562 effective November 8th 2009)

§ 6-7.3 Temporary Occupancy.

The code official is authorized to issue a temporary certificate of occupancy before the completion of the entire work covered by the permit, provided that such portions shall be occupied safely, and both the State Fire Marshall and Environmental Health have agreed to the issuance of the temporary occupancy. The code official shall set a time period during which the temporary certificate of occupancy is valid. All temporary occupancy requests shall be in writing, notarized, and be accompanied by a statement reciting the remaining work to be done, a schedule for the completion of such work and an authorization for the right of entry for the code official prior to the end of the time period for the temporary certificate of occupancy. (Ordinance 562 effective November 8th 2009)

§ 6-7.4 Change in Use.

It shall be unlawful to make any change in the use or occupancy of any structure or portion thereof which would subject it to any special provisions of these codes without approval of the code official, and the code official’s certification that such structure meets the intent of the provisions of law governing building construction for the proposed new use and occupancy, and that such change of use does not result in any greater hazard to the public safety or welfare. Additionally, a change in use shall be submitted to the Town of Easton Planning and Zoning department for approval of the compliance with zoning regulations. (Ordinance 562 effective November 8th 2009)

§ 6-7.5 Certificate Issued.

After the code official inspects the building or structure and finds no violations of the provisions of these codes or other laws that are enforced by the department of building safety, the code official shall issue a certificate of occupancy that shall contain the following: (Ordinance 562 effective November 8th 2009)

  1. The building permit number.
  2. The address of the structure.
  3. The name and address of the owner.
  4. A description of that portion of the structure for which the certificate is issued.
  5. A statement that the described portion of the structure has been inspected for compliance with the requirements of these codes for the occupancy and division of occupancy and the use for which the
  6. proposed occupancy is classified.
  7. The name of the code official.
  8. The edition of the code under which the permit was issued.
  9. The use and occupancy.
  10. The type of construction.
  11. The design occupant load.
  12. If an automatic sprinkler system is provided, whether the system is required.
  13. Any special stipulations and conditions of the building permit.

§ 6-7.6 Revocation.

The code official is authorized to, in writing, suspend or revoke a certificate of occupancy or completion issued under the provisions of these codes wherever the certificate is issued in error, or on the basis of incorrect information supplied, or where it is determined that the building or structure or portion thereof is in violation of any ordinance or regulation or any of the provisions of these codes. The code official is authorized to prevent occupancy or use of a structure which are in violation of these codes or of any other ordinances of the Town. (Ordinance 562 effective November 8th 2009)