Council Passes Occupancy Permit Ordinance

With a unanimous vote on June 18, the Bourbon City Council approved an ordinance that establishes policies, procedures and requirements for occupancy in the city limits.

The ordinance lays out the process of applying for an occupancy permit and the authority of the building inspector.

No fees will be charged for the inspections.

No building or structure shall be used and no occupancy can change until the city building inspector or personnel so designated has issued a certificate. 

Changes in the character or use of an existing structure cannot be made unless it is in compliance with all other zoning and use provisions.

No certificate of occupancy can be issued until the building inspector has completed an inspection and finds no violations.

The building inspector has authorization to suspend or revoke a certificate of occupancy on the basis of incorrect information or where it is determined that the building is in violation of any ordinance. 

Records will be maintained of inspectors and a record of all certificates will be filed with the city clerk. Copies will be furnished upon request to any person having a proprietary of tenancy interest in the building affected.

The inspector may establish other written rules, policies and procedures for use in conducting inspections. 

Owners and landlords must notify the city’s billing clerk of any change in occupancy along with the name, number and address of the new occupants.

Utility services will not be furnished to any building intended for human occupancy unless a certificate has been issued.

The inspector has the authority to authorize immediate disconnection of utility service to the building, structure or system, but must notify the owner and occupant in writing.

Appeals may be made to the city council. An application for appeal must be made in writing within 15 days of the decision being appealed. It must be filed with the city clerk and state the reasons for the appeal.

Any appeal must be based on the claim that the true intent of the code has been incorrectly interpreted, provisions do not apply or that no health or safety violations were present.

The aggrieved party has the right to present evidence and be represented by counsel. 

Any person aggrieved by a decision of the board may, within 30 days, seek an appeal with the Circuit Court of Crawford County.

Persons violating Article V of the city code shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and fined not less than $100 or be imprisoned in jail not less than five days or both. 

The city will have the right to seek injunctive relief to terminate or prevent any violation.