(a) Zoning permit required. No person shall construct, alter or change the use of any land, structure or building, including accessory buildings, without first obtaining a permit therefor from the Zoning Inspector. Certain uses as provided in § 1262.04 shall require approval of the Planning and Zoning Commission before the Zoning Inspector may issue a zoning permit.
(b) Applications requiring only Zoning Inspector approval. The application for a zoning permit shall contain the following information:
(1) The name, address and telephone number of the applicant;
(2) Proof of ownership or authorization to represent the property owner;
(3) The location of the property, including street address and permanent parcel number;
(4) The current zoning of the property;
(5) A description of the project for which approval is sought; and
(6) A plot plan showing the proposed location and dimensions of the proposed construction, alteration or change of use.
(c) Drainage plan. With the filing of the application for a zoning permit dealing with construction and grading, a drainage plan shall be filed. Such plan shall show grade elevations and the proposed drainage of the parcel involved. Such plan must meet with the approval of the Zoning Inspector prior to the issuance of any zoning permit.
(d) Sewers and water supply; location of building. In addition to the other requirements of this section, no zoning permit shall be issued for any new dwelling unit, commercial building, industrial building, or other building to be inhabited by persons until the following conditions are met:
(1) An applicant for such a zoning permit shall, prior to the issuance of such permit, present satisfactory proof that he or she has obtained the following:
A. For residential property, an on-site sewage disposal system permit from the Lake County Department of Health or proof that the applicant will be connecting into a public or private sewer system; and
B. For all other properties, an on-site sewage disposal system permit from the Lake County Department of Health and/or the Ohio EPA approval for the sewage disposal facility or proof that the applicant will be connected into a public or private sewer system.
(2) An applicant shall further be required to present satisfactory proof that the premises on which the structure is to be constructed are served by the public water supply or, in the alternative, the applicant for the permit shall present to the Zoning Inspector a certification by a registered engineer or a licensed well driller that there is sufficient water from natural sources to supply the water needs of the use for which the structure is intended through the drilling of a well specifically located on the premises for which the building permit is sought, and a certification from the Lake County Department of Health that the water source indicated is suitable for the use for which it is intended.
(3) An applicant shall further be required to present satisfactory proof that the structure will be built upon a duly dedicated and accepted public right-of-way or that the applicant has received the variance provided in § 1450.01(a) of these codified ordinances.
(Am. Ord. 15-O-21, passed 5-18-2015)
(e) Fees. Each application for a zoning permit shall be accompanied by the required fee, as established by City Council.
(f) Approval of permit.
(1) Except as provided in subsection (f)(2) below, within ten working days after completing his or her review and investigation of the completed application, the Zoning Inspector shall issue a zoning permit, provided that the application is accompanied by the proper fee and the Zoning Inspector has determined that the application complies with all the appropriate requirements of the zoning code.
(2) The Zoning Inspector, after investigating the application, shall refer the application related to any multi-family or non-residential use to the Planning and Zoning Commission, to be processed in accordance with § 1262.04, if the Zoning Inspector determines that the change involves a change in use or, in the event that there is no change in the use, that the proposed change of occupancy will result in any of the following to wit:
A. Any construction, alteration, change or modifications to the exterior of the premises or structures thereon including parking, landscaping, or ingress or egress;
B. The intensification of the use by reason of the new occupancy including but not limited to hours of operation, number of employees, increase in pedestrian or vehicular traffic;
C. Modification or need for modification of the drainage or sewage disposal upon the premises; and
D. Erection of new or modification of existing signs or lighting on the premises.
(g) Construction and use shall be as approved. Zoning permits as issued by the County Building Department and Zoning Inspector on the basis of approved plans and applications authorize only the use and arrangement set forth in such approved plans and applications or any amendments thereto. Use, arrangement or construction contrary to that which has been authorized shall be deemed a punishable violation of this code.
(1) Violations a nuisance. Buildings erected, altered, moved, razed or converted or any use of land or premises carried on in violation of any provision of this Planning and Zoning Code are declared to be a nuisance per se. Any building or land use activities considered possible violations of the provisions of this Planning and Zoning Code which are observed by any city official shall be reported to the Planning and Zoning Inspector.
(2) Complaints. Any citizen may file a written complaint with the Building and Zoning Inspector to report an alleged violation of this Planning and Zoning Code. Such written complaint shall fully state the causes and basis of such complaint.
(Ord. 11-O-1, passed 2-23-2011; Am. Ord. 11-O-38, passed 7-11-2011)