The following requirements apply to improvement location permit (ILP) applications.
(A) General requirements. No structure or site improvement shall be erected, moved, or added to on platted or unplatted land, without an improvement location permit first being issued by the Planning Director. No improvement location permit shall be issued unless the project is in conformance with the provisions of this chapter, the Subdivision Control Ordinance, and other applicable regulations of Hancock County.
(B) Permit required. Hancock County requires that an improvement location permit be obtained for any of the actions listed below. A single improvement location permit may be issued for a combination of these actions, if they occur together. The Planning Director shall determine if the application requires review by the Technical Committee.
(1) New development, after rezoning or plat approval;
(2) Adding or subtracting dwelling units or leased space in multifamily or commercial structures;
(3) Any use that exceeds 120 square feet in area and/or has a permanent foundation (including structures other than buildings such as towers and antennas);
(4) Any temporary use of land or temporary structure;
(5) Signs (§ 156.109);
(6) Swimming pools with a depth greater than 30 inches (in-ground pools shall be required to obtain a permit, above ground pools less than 15 feet in diameter shall not be required to obtain a permit, but shall comply with this chapter);
(7) Additions to all structures;
(8) Changes of use;
(9) Placement or replacement of manufactured or mobile homes;
(10) Parking lot construction or alteration;
(11) Removal of required trees and plants within buffer yards and landscaping areas required by this chapter;
(12) Mineral extraction;
(13) Telecommunication towers, buildings, and antenna; and
(14) Any exterior construction that adds to or alters the height of an existing structure.
(C) Exemptions. No ILP shall be required for the types of improvements listed below. However, any such improvement shall comply with any applicable requirements of this chapter, the Subdivision Control Ordinance, and any other adopted standards of Hancock County.
(1) Routine maintenance, repair, or interior non-structural remodeling of existing buildings not involving any change of use, additional lot coverage, or increase in structure size.
(2) Essential services, as defined in § 156.121.
(3) Lot and yard improvements such as fences, drives, sidewalks, patios, decks, retaining walls, play equipment, gazebos less than 200 square feet in area, above ground pools less than 30 inches in depth and 15 feet in diameter, and landscaping.
(4) Signs with a surface less than one square foot in area.
(5) Mini-barns and storage containers that are portable and less than 200 square feet or less in area.
(D) Copies. A copy of all submitted plans and application materials shall be retained by the Planning Director for the permanent records of the Plan Commission.
(E) Expiration of permits. If the rough-in inspection described in any improvement location permit has not been completed within 12 months of the date of its issuance, the permit shall automatically be deemed expired.
(1) The Planning Director may grant extensions for up to six months to obtain the certificate of occupancy.
(2) No extension shall be granted unless any appropriate fees, as defined by the adopted fee schedule, are paid to the county and the project continues to conform with all applicable requirements of Hancock County.
(F) Construction according to permits and permit application. Improvement location permits issued on the basis of plans and applications only authorize the use, arrangement, and construction set forth in such approved plans and applications. Current approved plans and the permit shall remain on the construction site. Any other use, arrangement, or construction not authorized shall be deemed a violation of this chapter and subject to the provisions of §§ 156.115 et seq.
(G) Application. Application forms for an improvement location permit shall be obtained from the Planning Director. All applications shall be completed in their entirety in ink or typed and submitted to the Planning Director. Prior to permit issuance, fees shall be paid to the Area Plan Commission pursuant to the adopted fee schedule. A complete submittal shall include an application form, site plan, construction details, building elevations, landscape plan, and lighting plan. The Planning Director may modify or waive these submittal requirements depending on the scope and nature of the applicant's proposal.
(H) Site plan requirement. Pursuant to division (G) above, a site plan shall be submitted that is drawn to an appropriate scale, bearing the seal of a professional engineer or land surveyor registered in the State of Indiana. Proposals involving only agricultural or residential accessory structures may be exempt from this requirement. The site plan shall clearly show all proposed aspects of the property and relevant features of the site including but not limited to: existing and proposed structures; setbacks from property lines or road centerlines; structure dimensions and floor areas; areas of outdoor storage; permanent dumpster and trash areas; locations and dimensions of existing and proposed parking areas; proposed and existing landscape areas; locations of public and private utilities; location, width, and purpose of all easements; and use of each structure. The Planning Director may modify or waive these submittal requirements depending on the scope and nature of the applicant's proposal.
(Ord. 2007-1B, passed 2-5-07; Am. Ord. 2010-9E, passed 9-20-10)
Cross reference:
Enforcement and penalties, see §§ 156.115 et seq.