Every alteration, repair, construction, demolition, moving or removal of any building or structure within the Town shall require a permit therefor issued under the provisions of this article; except, that no permit shall be required by any person to do interior or exterior painting or to place wallpaper or like material on any interior wall, nor shall a permit be required to make minor repairs which do not affect, change or alter structural or plumbing facilities. Minor repairs under the provisions of this section shall be construed and considered to mean repairs which, including both labor and materials, do not cost a total sum of more than five hundred dollars ($500.00). The exception herein set forth for minor repairs shall not be applicable for work to be performed on property located within any FEMA designated flood plain. Any alteration, repair, construction, demolition, moving or removal of any building or structure within a designated flood plain shall be subject to the requirements set forth in Article 1743 of this Code.
Work exempt from permit. Exemptions from permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction. Permits shall not be required for the following:
(a) Building:
(1) Oil derricks.
(2) Retaining walls which are not over 2 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or III-A liquids.
(3) Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches (762mm) above grade and not over any basement or story below and which are not part of an accessible route and which are not within the Town right-of-way.
(4) Painting, papering, finish flooring, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work.
(5) Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery.
(6) Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes and not including service systems.
(7) Swings and other playground equipment accessory to one- and two family dwellings.
(8) Movable cases, counters and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches (1753mm) in height.
(b) Electrical:
Repairs and maintenance: Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.
Radio and television transmitting stations: The provisions of this code shall not apply to electrical equipment used for radio and television transmissions, but do apply to equipment and wiring for power supply, the installations of towers and antennas.
Temporary testing systems: A permit shall not be required for the installation of any temporary system required for the testing or sevice of electrical equipment or apparatus.
(c) Gas:
(1) Portable heating appliance.
(2) Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
(d) Mechanical:
(1) Portable heating appliance.
(2) Portable ventilation equipment.
(3) Portable cooling unit.
(4) Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code.
(5) Replacement of any part which does not alter its approval or make it unsafe.
(6) Portable evaporative cooler.
(7) Self-contained refrigeration system containing 10 pounds (4.54kg) or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of 1 horsepower (756 W) or less.
(e) Plumbing:
(1) The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe; provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drainpipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in this code.
(2) The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures, and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipe or fixtures.