Chapter 7 — Permits, Certificates, Fees and Finances, Article 7 — - ZONING COMPLIANCE
Intent.
The determination whether a proposed use is proper in a given zoning district shall be made by the Director of the Department of Planning and Community Development. Interpretations concerning the meaning of this Code may be important in a particular case. Persons should not expend money on project development until the director has determined in writing that the proposed use is proper, as evidenced by a certificate of zoning compliance.
Certificate of Zoning Compliance.
A certificate of zoning compliance shall be issued in a form to be determined by the department as evidence that a proposed use complies with this Code. A certificate of zoning compliance may be issued upon written request by the owner of the property in question or his/her authorized agent, even though such request is outside the process of applying for a building permit or certificate of occupancy; provided, however, that such requests for certificate of zoning compliance shall be produced by the Department of Planning and Community Development only upon the payment of a certificate fee, if required, and according to a schedule implemented by the director.
Reliance.
Until a certificate of zoning compliance is obtained with regard to a particular project, a person expending money in any way on project planning or development does so at his own risk. No person shall be deemed to have expended funds in reliance on zoning provisions unless and until a certificate of zoning compliance is obtained.