Section 25.10.020 Zoning certificate.

Chapter 25.10 CERTIFICATE OF ZONING COMPLIANCE AND CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY

1. Certificate Required. Unless a certificate of zoning compliance shall first have been obtained from the zoning administrator:

a. No construction, reconstruction or remodeling of any structure shall be commenced which would result in the alteration of any exterior dimension of such structure, any structural alteration of such structure or any alteration in the amount of off-street parking or loading required in conjunction with such structure;

b. No structure shall be moved;

c. The alteration of land preliminary to any use of such land shall not be commenced;

d. Building or other permits pertaining to the construction, reconstruction or remodeling, as aforesaid, or moving of any structure or the use of any land or structure shall not be issued by any official, officer, employee, department or board of Sioux City.

2. Validity - Requirement. Any zoning certificate issued in conflict with the provisions of this title shall be null and void. In any case in which it is not clear whether or not a certificate of zoning compliance is required by this title, the zoning administrator shall, on written request, issue his opinion as to whether or not a certificate is required.

3. Application for Certificate of Zoning Compliance. Any application for a building permit which contains the information required by this section shall be deemed to be an application for a certificate of zoning compliance.

Every application for a certificate of zoning compliance shall contain at least the following information and shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee, established from time to time by the city council to help defray administrative costs, and by at least the following documents, unless any specifically required information or document is waived by the zoning administrator as not relevant or necessary to determine that all provisions of this title have been met in a particular case:

a. The applicant's name and address and his interest in the subject property;

b. The owner's name and address, if different than the applicant;

c. The address or location of the subject property;

d. The present use and zoning classification of the subject property;

e. A brief description of the construction, or alteration of land, requiring the issuance of a certificate of zoning compliance;

f. Where approval is required, pursuant to Subchapter IV of Chapter 25.12, for development in proximity to an interchange, evidence that such approval has been granted shall be submitted;

g. A general plot plan of the property in such form as may, from time to time, be prescribed by the zoning administrator;

h. Such other and further information and documentation as the zoning administrator may deem necessary or appropriate to a full and proper consideration and disposition of the particular application, including but not limited to:

(1) The certificate of a registered architect or structural engineer licensed by the state of Iowa that the proposed construction, reconstruction, remodeling or moving complies with all of the provisions of this title,

(2) A plat, in duplicate, of the piece or parcel of land, lot or lots, block or blocks, or parts or portions thereof, according to the recorded plat of such land,

(3) A detailed plot plan, drawn to scale, including the following information:

(A) The plot plan for any proposed development, including substantial improvements, in the -FW floodway district or -FH flood hazard district shall be accompanied by a completed flood plain development permit application to insure conformity with provisions of chapter 25.86;

(B) Location, size, use and dimensions of buildings, including height and stories and including total square feet of ground area coverage and floor area of all existing and proposed buildings;

(C) Location, dimensions and number of all driveways, entrances, curb cuts, parking stalls, loading spaces and access aisles; and total lot coverage of all parking, loading, driveway and aisle areas;

(4) Minimum yard dimensions and, where relevant, relation of yard dimensions to the height of any building or structure;

(5) Location, designation and total area of all usable open space;

(6) Location and height of fences or screen plantings to be used;

(7) The use of existing and proposed buildings, including the number of dwelling units;

(8) Any information to determine that conditions imposed upon the grant of a conditional use permit have been complied with;

(9) Any other information that may be required by the zoning administrator to determine that the particular application is in compliance with all applicable performance standards, use limitations and other requirements of this title.

4. Issuance of Certificate of Zoning Compliance. A certificate of zoning compliance shall be either issued or refused by the zoning administrator within three working days after the receipt of an application therefor or within such further period as may be agreed to by the applicant. One copy of all plans shall be returned to the applicant by the zoning administrator after he shall have marked such copy either as approved or disapproved and attested to the same by his signature on such copy. The second copy of the plans, similarly marked, shall be retained by the administrator. When the administrator refuses to issue a certificate of zoning compliance, he shall advise the applicant in writing of the reasons for such refusal.

5. Period of Validity. A certificate of zoning compliance shall become null and void nine months after the date on which it was issued unless within such period construction, reconstruction, remodeling, moving or alteration of land is commenced or a use is established. (Ord. S-36969, 1978; S-30424, 1976)