A-701.1 General: A certificate of occupancy, indicating compliance with permits and construction documents, shall be obtained prior to occupancy of a building in the following cases:

1. Erection of a new building,

2. Erection of an addition to a building,

3. Change from one Use Group to another.

Exception: A certificate of occupancy for change in non-residential Use Group shall not be required under the following conditions:

1. The gross building floor area does not exceed 2,000 square feet (186 m2) per floor; and

2. The part of the building changed requires no substantial increase in live loads; and

3. The part of the building changed requires no increase in occupancy load, or the occupant load for the new use does not exceed 100 persons.

A-701.2 Review and approval: In each case where a Certificate of Occupancy is required by Section A-701.1, construction documents shall be submitted as prescribed in Section A-301.6 for review by the department for conformance to the Building Code in effect at the time of application. Upon approval, the code official shall prepare the certificate in accordance with this section and procedures of the department. A maximum of one building as defined by the Building Code shall be included on any one certificate.

A-701.3 Issuance: Upon completion of the final inspection in accordance with Section A-402.4, the certificate of occupancy shall be issued by the code official. The certificate shall be available for inspection by the code official at any reasonable time.

A-701.4 Contents of certificate: The certificate of occupancy shall bear the signature of the code official and specify the following:

1. The address of the building and census tract.

2. The location within the building if for part of a building.

3. The edition of the code under which the certificate is issued.

4. The occupancy(ies) and Use Group(s) in accordance with the building code.

5. The type of construction as defined by the Building Code.

6. If and where an automatic sprinkler system is provided and whether it is required.

7. If a standpipe system is provided and whether it is required.

8. Any variances or special conditions.

9. The application, permit and plan numbers.

A-701.5 Partial or temporary occupancy: Upon request of the applicant, a temporary or partial certificate of occupancy shall be issued to occupy the premises or a portion of the premises before completion of the entire work or operation covered by the permit provided that such portion or portions will be occupied safely prior to full completion of the structure or installation of equipment and systems without endangering life or public welfare. Such issuance shall be in accordance with departmental procedures and the code official shall notify the applicant of any limitations or restrictions imposed by the partial or temporary occupancy.

A-701.6 Posting: Either the original or a true copy of the Certificate of Occupancy shall be posted in each building, available to inspection.

Exceptions:

1. Buildings of Use Group R-3;

2. Buildings of Use Group R-2 which have no management office on premises.