Opinion ID: 2344037
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Certificate of Occupancy

Text: The Peases do not challenge the trial court's finding that no certificate of occupancy had ever been issued for the mobile home constructed on Lot 90 or that the Town's zoning ordinance required that a certificate of occupancy be obtained before the use of a new building. Rather, they first contend that because in its citation and complaint the Town did not allege the violation, the court erred in addressing that claim. Further, they contend that because it was the responsibility of Ruben Albert, the present occupant of the mobile home, to obtain a certificate of occupancy, the trial court erred in ordering them to apply for the certificate from the Town. We disagree. Although in its citation and complaint the Town did not specifically charge the Peases with violating Article V, section 4, of the zoning ordinance by failing to secure a certificate of occupancy of the mobile home, at the trial of this matter the Town, without objection by the Peases, introduced evidence of that requirement and that there had been no application for or issuance of such a certificate. Accordingly, that issue was properly tried by consent. See M.R.Civ.P. 15(b) (When issues not raised by the pleadings are tried by express or implied consent of the parties, they shall be treated in all respects as if they had been raised in the pleadings.) The trial court properly required the Peases, as the title owners of the property, to file for a certificate of occupancy.