The application for a building permit also applies for a zoning permit/certificate as a required by this chapter. The permit and certificate may be combined on one form.
(A) When permit is required. It shall be unlawful to erect, enlarge, construct, reconstruct or structurally alter any building and/or other structure or change the use, intensity of use or extend or displace the use of any building, other structure and/or land in the city without first filing an application with the Zoning Officer in writing and obtaining the required permit.
(B) When a zoning certificate of use and occupancy is required. It shall be unlawful to use and/or occupy any building, other structure and/or land for which a permit is required until a zoning certificate of use and occupancy for such building, other structure and/or land has been issued by the Zoning Officer. The application for issuance of a certificate of use and occupancy shall be made at the same time an application for a permit is filed with the Zoning Officer.
(C) Forms of application. The application for a permit and a zoning certificate of use and occupancy shall be submitted in such form as the Zoning Officer may prescribe and shall be accompanied by the required fee as established by City Council.
(D) By whom application is made. Application for a permit and a zoning certificate of use and occupancy shall be made by the owner or lessee of the building, other structure and/or land or agent of either or by the contractor, engineer or architect employed in connection with the proposed work. If the application is made by a person other than the owner in fee, it shall be accompanied by a duly verified affidavit of the owner that the qualified person making the application for the proposed work is authorized to make such application. The full names and addresses of the owner, lessee, applicant and of the responsible officers, if the owner or lessee is a corporate body, shall be stated in the application.
(E) Description of work. The application shall contain a general description of the proposed work, its location, the use and/or occupancy of all parts of the building, other structure and of all portions of the site or lot not covered by the building and/or other structure and use of land, proposed parking and/or loading facilities, if required herein, and such additional information as may be required by the Zoning Officer.
(F) Plat plan.
(1) There shall also be filed not less than one copy of a plat plan showing to scale or approximate scale at least the following:
(a) Size and location of all new construction and all existing buildings, and/or other structures on the site, dimensions and area of the lot, distances from lot lines and the location and approximate street grades;
(b) All existing, proposed, extended and/or new uses of buildings, other structures and/or land;
(c) Proposed and existing parking and/or loading facilities if required herein;
(d) The plat plan shall be drawn in accordance with an accurate boundary line survey or such other evidence of property ownership as is acceptable to the Zoning Officer; and
(e) Such additional information as may be required by the Zoning Officer.
(2) Where complete and accurate information is not readily available from existing records, the Zoning Officer may require the applicant to furnish a survey of the lot by a registered engineer or surveyor at the applicant’s expense. Each applicant shall be required to attest to the correctness of the data and statements furnished in the application.
(G) Expiration of permits. If work described in any permit is not started within 12 months from the date of issuance, the permit shall expire and a written notice shall be given by the Zoning Officer to the persons affected. If work described in any permit has not been substantially completed within the time specified in division (H) below, the permit shall expire and written notice to that effect shall be given by the Zoning Officer to the persons affected. Work as described in the cancelled permit shall not proceed unless a new permit is obtained.
(H) Substantial completion.
(1) The outside of all new structures for which a building permit has been issued shall be substantially completed within a period of time from the date construction is started. Substantially completed shall be construed to mean that roof and exterior walls are finished, including painting, except block, brick or prefinished material, and that all exterior doors and windows are installed.
(2) It shall also mean that the lot shall be cleared of debris and graded. Maximum periods for substantial completion are as follows:
Additions to gross floor area (residential and non-residential) | 1 year |
Demolition or miscellaneous construction which does not increase floor area | 6 months |
Non-residential construction (new) | 2 years |
Residential construction (new) | 2 years |
Residential garages | 1 year |
(Ord. 1347, passed 3-18-1991)