Sec. 656.151. - Certificates of Use.

(a) No structure or demised premises, as defined in Section 656.1601 , other than a single family residence or duplex, shall be used or any existing use enlarged, or any new use made of any land or structure, without the owner, or tenant if applicable, first obtaining a certificate of use from the Department. Said certificate of use shall be required for each individual business and each multi-family building located within the City. Notwithstanding any ordinance to the contrary, and notwithstanding any prior legal status of any multi-family residence and business, any new multi-family residence or new business, or any changes in use, expansion of square footage occupied, or the inclusion of additional uses after May 29, 2006, will require a certificate of use. A certificate of use review, pursuant to Section 656.153 below, shall not be required in connection with changes in name or ownership, provided that the use is the same before and after such change in name or ownership. This provision does not apply when the change in name or ownership occurs with alterations or changes to the use of the property. In addition, this provision does not apply to businesses that are regulated by State law and are required to obtain licenses in the name of the license-holder. In the case of a business name change or a change in ownership, the certificate of use shall be filed to reflect the new name of the business or change in ownership. For businesses that require a change in business name or ownership and are currently exempt from the certificate of use requirement, so long as there have been no alterations or changes to the use of the property, the business shall only be required to obtain a certificate of use that will be placed on file, without the necessity for a review pursuant to Section 656.153 below. (b) The issuance of a certificate of use shall not require a structure or demised premises to be retrofitted or brought into compliance with the current building code unless required by State law or Subpart C, Part 12, Chapter 656, Ordinance Code, or there is substantial alteration within the demised premises or substantial alteration, including new construction of the existing structure. The City shall have the right to periodically inspect a structure or demised premises at any reasonable time to ensure the existence of a current and valid certificate of use, and to ensure compliance with applicable zoning regulations, Florida Building Code, Florida Fire Prevention Code, solid waste regulations, and all applicable local and State regulations and other terms under which a certificate of use was issued. (c) A certificate of use shall cover all uses contained within a structure or a demised premises permitted on the land. All uses that are consistent with those permitted in the certificate of use shall not require separate certificates of use. A new certificate of use will be required for all uses inconsistent with the uses permitted under a certificate of use. (d) No certificate of use shall be utilized in a manner contrary to the regulations contained within the Ordinance Code. (e) It shall be the duty of all officers and inspectors of the Building Inspection Division, the Municipal Code Compliance Division, Fire Prevention Division, Planning and Development Department, Solid Waste Division, and law enforcement officers, to report to the Director any apparent violation of this Subpart. (Ord. 2005-1355-E, § 3; Ord. 2014-724-E, § 2; Ord. 2022-766-E , § 1)