(A) Withhold issuance of permits.
(1) The Executive Director may withhold the issuance of requested building permits until such time that any applicable debt is satisfied relating to (a) fees or fines owed to the town, including checks returned for insufficient funds; (b) permit fees owed pursuant to this subchapter; (c) nuisance violations or penalties outstanding pursuant to Chapter 94; or (d) inspection fees owed pursuant to this subchapter.
(2) Whenever a person applies for a building permit for a structure that is not being used or constructed in conformance with applicable provisions of an applicable zoning ordinance or other ordinance relating to land use, the Executive Director is authorized to withhold, the issuance of requested permit(s) until such time that the property is brought into conformance with applicable ordinances.
(B) Permit revocation. The Executive Director may revoke a building permit when any of the following are applicable:
(1) The application, plans or supporting documents contain a false statement or misrepresentation as to a material fact.
(2) The application, plans or supporting documents reflect a lack of compliance with building standards and procedures.
(3) There is failure to comply with this subchapter.
(4) The structure for which the building permit has been issued is not being used or constructed in conformance with an applicable zoning ordinance or other ordinance relating to land use.
(C) Stop work order.
(1) The Executive Director may issue an order requiring suspension of the pertinent construction (stop work order) in accordance with this section.
(2) The stop work order shall:
(a) Be in writing.
(b) State with specificity the construction to which it is applicable and the reason for its issuance.
(c) Be posted on the property in a conspicuous place.
(d) If practicable, be given to:
1. The person doing the construction; and
2. To the owner of the property or the owner's agent.
(e) The stop work order shall state the conditions under which construction may be resumed.
(3) The Executive Director may issue a stop work order if:
(a) Construction is proceeding in an unsafe manner, including, but not limited to, in violation of any standard set forth in this subchapter or any state law pertaining to safety during construction.
(b) Construction is occurring in violation of this subchapter or in such a manner that if construction is allowed to proceed, there is a reasonable probability that it will substantially difficult to correct the violation.
(c) Construction for which a building permit is required, is proceeding without a building permit being in force.
(4) The issuance of a stop work order shall in no way limit the operation of penalties provided elsewhere in this subchapter.
(D) Civil action. Pursuant to I.C. 36-1-6-4, the town may initiate a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction to restrain any person from violating a provision of this subchapter.
(E) Monetary penalty. Any person violating any provision of this subchapter may be subject to a fine in any sum not exceeding $2,500. The assessment of a monetary penalty shall in no way limit the operation of the penalties provided elsewhere in this subchapter.
(F) Right of appeal. Any person aggrieved by an order issued under this subchapter shall have the right to petition for review of any order of the Executive Director. Such a person may file a petition using either, or both, of the following procedures:
(1) Appeal to the Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission.
(a) A person aggrieved by an order issued under this subchapter may appeal to the Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission, in accordance with I.C. 22-13-2-7.
(b) The Commission may modify or reverse any order issued by the municipality that covers a subject governed by I.C. 22-12, I.C. 22-13, I.C. 22-14, I.C. 22-15, a fire safety or a building rule.
(c) The Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission must review orders that concern a Class 2 structure if the person aggrieved by the order petitions for review under I.C. 4-21.5-3-7 within 30 days after the issuance of the order.
(d) The Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission may review all other orders issued under this subchapter.
(e) The review of an order by the Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission does not suspend the running of the time period under any statute in which a person must petition a court for judicial review of the order.
(2) Appeal to an established local administrative body or court. Pursuant to I.C. 36-7-8-9, a person aggrieved by a decision of the Building Department may appeal as in other civil actions. The appellant must, by registered mail, give the Municipality Executive a 15 day written notice of his or her intention to appeal. This notice must concisely state the appellant's grievance. If, pursuant to I.C. 36-1-6-9, the municipality has established by ordinance to hear appeals of orders issued under ordinances, then a person aggrieved by an order may petition for review with this administrative body in accordance with the ordinance. If no such administrative body exists, then the person may petition a court for judicial review of the order.
(Ord. 2013-14, passed 8-19-2013; Am. Ord. 2024-04, passed 2-5-2024)