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Committee advances draft 'certificate of continued occupancy' for commercial tenants to council
Summary
Committee reviewed a separate draft ordinance creating a certificate of continued occupancy for certain commercial tenant changes (when building permits are not required) to confirm life-safety compliance; staff said temporary certificates could be issued while minor violations are fixed and that the requirement would be integrated with existing zoning permits.
The committee reviewed a draft ordinance establishing a "certificate of continued occupancy" to require inspections for some commercial tenant changes when building permits are not required and agreed to forward edited language to council after reviewing the redline.
Staff member introduced the measure as a supplement to existing zoning and building processes, not a replacement. "It doesn't replace them," the Staff member said, describing three triggers: (a) a new commercial tenant where building permits are not required; (b) a change in owner/operator of an ongoing business; and (c) a change in use of a building. The Staff member said the application would be integrated with the usual zoning permit so applicants would not face separate paperwork.
The focus of inspections would be life-safety items — smoke detectors, egress and other systems necessary to protect the public — and staff said those inspections will often be conducted in conjunction with already-required loading or site inspections. "So that's what they're really looking for... smoke detectors are in order and operational," the Staff member said. Staff also described a temporary certificate option when a business is "almost" compliant so openings are not delayed by minor fixes.
Committee members asked whether the commercial fee structure should align with residential fees and discussed cross-references to the zoning-fee schedule (section 1.48.06). Staff said they would coordinate with counsel and address whether changes to planning-and-zoning fee language require separate referral or can be bundled with this ordinance.
Next steps: Staff will add a purpose statement clarifying the requirement and circulate the redline; the committee expects to send the draft to council for consideration after that review.
