LandCode
GainesvilleUnified Land Development Code

Article 16 — Building and Property Maintenance Regulations, Chapter 16-11 — CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY

current as of 2025-12-16verified current · checked 2026-08-24Officialofficial source7 sections · full chapter
§ 16-11-1

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 building official has issued a certificate of occupancy. Issuance of a certificate of occupancy shall not be construed as an approval of a violation of the provisions of this Code or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction.

§ 16-11-2

Change in Use

Changes in the character or use of an existing structure shall not be made except as specified in Chapter 34 of the International Building Code, as amended.

§ 16-11-3

Submittals Required for Certificate

Upon completion of the final inspection, the owner or authorized agent shall submit the following required documents to the building official:

(a)Stormwater Inspection and Maintenance Agreement, signed.
(b)Maintenance bond.
(c)As-built drawings certified by professional engineer.
(d)Drainage easement shown on final as-built and plat.
(e)Certification of stormwater management system installation and final landscaping establishment.

The building official is not authorized to issue a certificate of occupancy unless these documents have been submitted and completed to the city’s satisfaction.

§ 16-11-4

Certificate Issued

After the building official inspects the building or structure and finds no violations of the provisions of this Code or other laws that are enforced by the department of building safety;

and upon receipt of the required documents set forth in Section 16-11-3, the building official shall issue a certificate of occupancy that shall contain the following:

(a)The building permit number.
(b)The address of the structure.
(c)The name and address of the owner.
(d)A description of that portion of the structure for which the certificate is issued.
(e)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.
(f)The name of the building official.
(g)The edition of the code under which the permit was issued.
(h)The use and occupancy, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 3 of the International Building Code, as amended.
(i)The type of construction as defined in Chapter 6 of the International Building Code, as amended.
(j)The design occupant load.
(k)If an automatic sprinkler system is provided, whether the sprinkler system is required.
(l)Any special stipulations and conditions of the building permit.
§ 16-11-5

Temporary Occupancy

The building official is authorized to issue a temporary certificate of occupancy before the completion of the entire work covered by the permit, provided that such portion or portions can be occupied safely. The building official must set a time period during which the temporary certificate of occupancy is valid.

§ 16-11-6

Revocation

The building official is authorized to, in writing, suspend or revoke a certificate of occupancy or completion issued under the provisions of this Code 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 this Code.

§ 16-11-7

Service Utilities

(a)Connection of service utilities. No person shall make connections from a utility, source of energy, fuel or power to any building or system that is regulated by this Code for which a permit is required, until released by the building official.
(b)Temporary connection. The building official shall have the authority to authorize the temporary connection of the building or system to the utility source of energy, fuel or power.
(c)Authority to disconnect service utilities. The building official shall have the authority to authorize disconnection of utility service to the building, structure or system regulated by this Code and the codes referenced in case of emergency where necessary to eliminate an immediate hazard to life or property. The building official shall notify the serving utility, and wherever possible the owner and occupant of the building, structure or service system of the decision to disconnect prior to taking such action. If not notified prior to disconnecting, the owner or occupant of the building, structure or service system shall be notified in writing, as soon as practical.