(A) Submittal documents. Submittal documents consisting of construction documents, and other data shall be submitted in two or more sets with each application for a permit. The construction documents shall be prepared by a registered design professional where required by the statutes of the jurisdiction in which the project is to be constructed. Where special conditions exist, the Building Commissioner is authorized to require additional construction documents to be prepared by a registered design professional.
(1) Exception. The Building Commissioner is authorized to waive the submission of construction documents and other data not required to be prepared by a registered design professional if it is found that the nature of the work applied for is such that reviewing of construction documents is not necessary to obtain compliance with this code.
(2) Information on construction documents. Construction documents shall be drawn upon suitable material. Electronic media documents are permitted to be submitted where approved by the Building Commissioner. Construction documents shall be of sufficient clarity to indicate the location, nature and extent of the work proposed and show in detail that it will conform to the provisions of this code and relevant laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, as determined by the Building Commissioner.
(3) Manufacturer's installation instructions. Manufacturer's installation instructions, as required by this code, shall be available on the job site at the time of inspection.
(4) Information on braced wall designs. For buildings and structures utilizing braced wall design, and where required by the Building Commissioner, braced wall lines shall be identified on the construction documents. Pertinent information including, but not limited to, bracing methods, location and length of braced wall panels and foundation requirements of braced wall panels at top and bottom shall be provided.
(5) Information for construction in flood hazard areas. For building and structures located in whole or in part in flood hazard areas as established by Indiana Code, construction documents shall include:
(a) Delineation of flood hazard areas, floodway boundaries and flood zones and the design flood elevation, as appropriate.
(b) The elevation of the proposed lowest floor, including basement; in areas of shallow flooding (AO Zones), the height of the proposed lowest floor, including basement, above the highest adjacent grade.
(c) The elevation of the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member in coastal high-hazard area (V Zone) and in coastal A Zones where such zones are delineated on flood hazard maps identified in Indiana Code or otherwise delineated by the jurisdiction.
(d) If design flood elevations are not included on the community's Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), the Building Commissioner and the applicant shall obtain and reasonably utilize any design flood elevation and floodway data available from other sources.
(6) Site plan or plot plan. The construction documents submitted with the application for permit shall be accompanied by a site plan showing the size and location of new construction and existing structures on the site and distances from lot lines. In the case of demolition, the site plans shall show construction to be demolished and the location and size of existing structure and construction that are to remain on the site or plot. The Building Commissioner is authorized to waive or modify the requirement for a site plan where the application for permit is for alteration or repair or where otherwise warranted.
(B) Examination of documents. The Building Commissioner shall examine or cause to be examined construction documents for code compliance.
(1) Approval of construction documents. Where the Building Commissioner issues a permit, the construction documents shall be approved in writing or by a stamp that states "reviewed for code compliance." One set of construction documents so reviewed shall be retained by the building official. The other set shall be returned to the applicant, shall be kept at the site of work and shall be open to inspection by the Building Commissioner or a duly authorized representative.
(2) Previous approvals. This code shall not require changes in the construction documents, construction or designated occupancy of a structure for which a lawful permit has been heretofore issued or otherwise lawfully authorized, and the construction of which has been pursued in good faith within 180 days after the effective date of this code and has not been abandoned.
(3) Phased approval. The Building Commissioner is authorized to issue a permit for the construction of foundations or any other part of a building or structure before the construction documents for the whole building or structure have been submitted, provided that adequate information and detailed statements have been filed complying with pertinent requirements of this code. The holder of such permit for the foundation or other parts of a building or structure shall proceed at the holder's own risk with the building operation and without assurance that a permit for the entire structure will be granted.
(C) Amended construction documents. Work shall be installed in accordance with the approved construction documents, and any changes made during construction that are not in compliance with the approved construction documents shall be resubmitted for approval as an emended set of construction documents.
(D) Retention of construction documents. One set of approved construction documents shall be retained by the building official for a period of not less than 180 days from date of completion of the permitted work, or as required by state or local laws.
(Ord. 15, 2020, passed 12-7-2020)