(A) No person or persons shall, as owners of real estate and improvements of real estate found within the town limits construct, repair or rehabilitate any structure without first obtaining an improvement location permit and such other relevant permits as are necessary to provide for proper, safe, and workmanlike construction, repair, rehabilitation or construction of any structures to protect the general safety and well-being of its citizens along with maintaining the property values of the real estate as a whole within the town. All permits shall be issued in the names of the real property owners who, as a matter of law, shall be responsible for compliance with the provisions of this chapter. Except for emergencies, all such permits shall be obtained prior to any work performance.
(B) Said permits shall be issued by the Building Commissioner's office, under the name of the Building Commissioner on behalf of the town for the benefit of the owner(s) only. The Building Commissioner may not issue a permit when the Building Commissioner has a direct or indirect financial interest in the issuance of the permit. In that event, the permit shall be issued by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
(C) Except for new construction, owners who actually occupy the effected premises on a full-time basis and do 100% of the repair and rehabilitation work themselves (excludes supervision) shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter as a whole. This chapter shall apply to residential maintenance and rehabilitation only. It shall not apply to any commercial or industrial work. All commercial and industrial work must be permitted regardless of who performs the work.
(D) The provisions of this chapter will be narrowly and strictly construed.
(E) Emergency work may be begun without relevant permits, but must, as same is reasonably possible, be completed pursuant to permits and final inspection.
(Ord. 2021-09, passed 9-13-2021)