(A) Permit fees. Any applications for a permit to construct or renovate a dwelling, business, or property that is submitted by any business or owner of any property or resident of a dwelling, or other person in control of any premises shall be accompanied by the required fee, with said fee to be set by resolution of the City Council.
(B) Construction permits required.
(1) A zoning permit is required for any construction that physically changes or adds structures to the property, or for work regulated by Minnesota State Building Code such as:
(a) New building. Examples include but are not limited to: dwellings, garages, detached storage sheds (if over 144 square feet), carports, pole barns, commercial buildings, manufactured housing, or mobile homes.
(b) Additions. Examples include but are not limited to: buildings, swimming pools, decks, retaining walls, and fences.
(2) An improvement permit is required for any construction that is cosmetic alterations and/or repairs to the existing features of the property:
(a) Alterations. Beyond cosmetic, examples include but are not limited to: converting a garage to a family room, re-roofing, dry-walling, insulating, finishing a basement, window replacement, and re-siding.
(b) Repairs. Any repair involving structural members.
(C) Collection of building permit fees.
(1) For the purpose of this section:
(a) The act by the city of granting an application for a zoning and/or an improvement permit, and the subsequent issuance of the permit, are deemed improvements to real estate; and
(b) The act by the owner of real estate of employing or entering into an agreement with a contractor or other person for construction, requiring a building permit, shall be deemed an appointment of such contractor or other person as the agent of such owner for the purpose of applying for such permit and incurring fees therefor, and the owner and the agent shall be jointly and severally liable for payment thereof.
(2) Any business or owner of any property or resident of a dwelling, or other person in control of any premises who begins construction and/or repair that requires either a zoning permit or an improvement permit without first securing said permit shall be in violation of this subchapter.
(3) Notice of violation of this subchapter shall be prepared by the city and mailed to the owner. Any property or resident of a dwelling, or other person in control of any premises who fails to submit an application for the permits required by division (B) of this section prior to beginning construction shall be assessed the permit fee at two times the regular rate.
(4) If such fee remains unpaid for a period of more than 30 days after mailing, the city may collect the same in a civil action or, in the alternative and at the option of the city, as otherwise provided in this section.
(5) Each such account is hereby made a lien upon the premises improved. All such accounts which are more than 45 days past due may, when authorized by resolution of the Commission, be certified by the City Clerk to the County Auditor, and the City Clerk in so certifying shall specify the amount thereof, the description of the premises improved, and the name of the owner thereof. The amount so certified shall be extended by the Auditor on the tax rolls against such premises in the same manner as other taxes, and collected by the County Treasurer, and paid to the city along with other taxes.
(6) Any person who violates, neglects or refuses to comply with, assists, or participates in any way in the violation of any provisions or requirements of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and for each such violation is subject to the maximum penalty prescribed by state law for a misdemeanor. Each day such violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.
(Ord. 77, passed 12-1-2015)