(A) Required prior to construction or alteration. It shall be unlawful to commence construction or alteration of any structure until the Enforcement Officer has issued a zoning permit authorizing such work, except as specified elsewhere in this chapter. The Planning Commission may establish a schedule of reasonable fees to be charged for the issuance of zoning permits, which schedule must be approved by the city and county legislative bodies. An accounting procedure shall be established by the Planning Commission and an annual report of all such fees received by the Planning Commission shall be submitted.
(B) Exceptions. No zoning permit or certificate of occupancy shall be required in the following cases:
(1) Recurring maintenance work regardless of cost;
(2) Construction or alteration of agricultural structures which conform with all setback requirements with respect to existing and proposed streets and highways;
(3) Installation of required improvements according to an approved preliminary subdivision plat or planned development plat; and
(4) Those structures and uses specifically exempted by the terms of this order.
(C) Procedure.
(1) Application. In applying to the Enforcement Officer for a zoning permit, the applicant shall provide the Enforcement Officer with information indicating the dimensions of the lot to be built upon, the outside dimensions of all structures to be constructed or altered and all existing structures, the use of all structures, yard depths, and any other information necessary for determining conformance with the zoning order. The County Health Officer’s certificate approving proposed water and sewage facilities must accompany applications whenever such certificate is required by the terms of this chapter or such a requirement is established by the Planning Commission. Other application requirements and procedures may also be established by the Planning Commission.
(2) Permanent file. The Enforcement Officer shall keep a permanent file of all applications with accompanying plans and all permits issued.
(3) Issuance. If the proposed construction or alteration conforms with all applicable provisions of the zoning order and all other applicable orders, regulations, and codes, the Enforcement Officer shall issue a zoning permit authorizing such construction or alteration. If the proposed construction or alteration fails to conform, the Enforcement Officer shall refuse to issue a zoning permit and shall deliver written notice to the applicant stating the reasons for the refusal. The Enforcement Officer shall act upon applications for zoning permits within one week from the date of their submission.
(4) Validity. The issuance of a zoning permit by the Enforcement Officer shall not waive any provision of the zoning order.
(5) Duration. A zoning permit shall become void six months from the date of issuance unless substantial progress has been made by that date on the construction or alteration authorized therein. A zoning permit may be reviewed without fee upon review by the Enforcement Officer before it becomes void.
(Prior Code, § 3.2) Penalty, see § 155.999