17.08.150 Certificate of occupancy.
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A. Use and occupancy. No building or structure or portion thereof shall be used or occupied and no change in the existing occupancy classification of a building or structure or portion thereof as specified in VMC Titles 16 and 17 or as permitted in VMC Title 20, shall be made until the building official has issued a certificate of occupancy or temporary certificate of occupancy.
B. Issuance of a certificate of occupancy shall not be construed as an approval of a violation of the provisions of the building and construction codes of the City of Vancouver, including but not limited to, VMC Titles 16, 17, and 20 or any regulation adopted under them or of any other applicable building or construction law of the State of Washington.
C. Certificate of Occupancy. After the building official inspects the building or structure and determines that the work performed is in reasonable compliance with VMC Titles 16, 17, and 20 or any regulation adopted under them or of any other applicable building or construction law of the State of Washington and the terms and conditions of the permit, the building official shall issue a certificate of occupancy. The certificate of occupancy shall contain:
1. The building permit number;
2. The address of the structure;
3. The name and address of the owner, permit applicant and permit holder as noted on the building permit(s);
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 this code for the occupancy and division of occupancy and the use for which the proposed occupancy is classified;
6. The name of the building official;
7. The edition of the code under which the permit was issued;
8. The use described and occupancy classification;
9. The type of construction;
10. The design occupant load;
11. If an automatic fire sprinkler system or fire alarm system is provided and whether such system is a code required system; and,
12. Conditions of the building permit or land use approval.
D. Temporary certificate of occupancy. The building official is authorized to issue a temporary certificate of occupancy where the building official finds that a substantial hazard or violation of any law, ordinance or special conditions of the permit approval will not result from occupancy of a building or portion thereof before the same is completed. The building official shall set a time period, not to exceed thirty (30) days, for which the temporary certificate of occupancy is valid.
1. Terms and conditions. The building official is authorized to impose terms and conditions on the temporary certificate of occupancy.
2. Term. The temporary certificate of occupancy is valid for up to thirty (30) days from the date of issuance.
3. Extension. Upon application by the certificate holder or if remaining construction has not been completed and the conditions of inspection not met, the building official is authorized to extend a temporary certificate up to thirty (30) days.
4. Revocation. The building official may revoke a temporary certificate of occupancy for any one or more of the following:
a. Non-payment for fees;
b. When a certificate is issued in error;
c. When the applicant provides incorrect information;
d. When the building official determines that the building is in violation of any applicable code or regulation; or
e. Where the building official determines that a term or condition of the temporary certificate of occupancy has been violated.
E. Posting. The certificate of occupancy or temporary certificate of occupancy shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises. This requirement shall not apply to one – and two-family dwellings and town houses constructed under the IRC. (Ord. M-4079 §13, 2014; Ord. M-4052 §9, 2013; Ord. M-4013 §2, 2012; Ord. M-3958 §16, 2010; Ord. M-3660 §4, 2004)