A. Action on Application: The Building Administrator shall examine or cause to be examined all applications for permits and amendments thereto within a reasonable time after filing. If the application or the plans do not conform to the requirements of all pertinent laws, he shall reject such application in writing stating the reasons therefor. If he is satisfied that the proposed work conforms to the requirements of this Building Code and all laws and ordinances applicable thereto, he shall issue a permit therefor as soon as practicable.
B. Extension and Expiration of Building Permit:
1. A permit shall be considered void, if the covered work is not commenced within ninety (90) days and completed within one (1) year of the issuance of the permit.
2. At any time prior to its becoming void, a permit may be extended for one year for an additional fee of ten percent (10%) of the original permit fee, but in no case shall the fee be less than the minimum fee specified on the most recent fee schedule approved by the President and Board of Trustees. Permits may be extended for two (2) six (6) month periods by the Building Administrator if work has been delayed due to the large size of the project, shortage of materials, or due to inclement weather conditions.
C. Compliance with Municipal Code. A permit shall not be issued for any construction work unless the premises is in compliance with the regulations of Chapter 15 (the Zoning Ordinance) of the Mettawa Municipal Code and other pertinent ordinances of the Village.
D. Previous Approvals: This Building Code shall not require changes in the plans, construction or designated use of a building for which a lawful permit has been heretofore issued or otherwise lawfully authorized and the construction of which shall have been actively prosecuted within ninety (90) days after the effective date hereof and completed with dispatch.
E. Signature to Permit: The Building Administrator shall attach his signature to every permit, or he may authorize a subordinate to affix such signature thereto.
F. Approved Plans:
1. The Building Administrator shall stamp or endorse in writing both sets of corrected plans approved, and one set of such approved plans shall be retained by him and the other set shall be kept at the building site, open to inspection of the Building Administrator or his authorized representative at all reasonable times.
2. The Building Administrator shall provide a Building Permit placard which shall be posted by the person to whom the permit was issued on the site of the construction work in a readily accessible location so that it is visible from the street and protected from rain and snow.
G. Approval of Part: The Building Administrator may issue a permit for the construction of foundations or any other part of a building or structure before the entire plans and specifications for the whole building or structure have been submitted, provided adequate information and detailed statements have been filed complying with all the pertinent requirements of this Building Code. The holder of such permit for the foundations or other part of a building or structure shall proceed at his own risk with the building operation and without assurance that a permit for the entire structure will be granted.
H. Loss of Permit Card:
1. In the event that the Building Permit card is lost, defaced or stolen, it will be replaced upon application, in person, to the Building Administrator at his office, for the fee specified on the most recent fee schedule approved by the President and Board of Trustees.
2. In the event that the plans being kept with the permit card are lost, defaced, stolen or illegible through handling and use, a new set of plans will be endorsed by the Building Administrator upon personal application at the office of the Building Administrator and payment of the fee specified on the most recent fee schedule approved by the President and Board of Trustees.
I. Surrender of Building Permits; Refunds: At any time after the expiration of ninety (90) days following the issuance of any building or other permit required by the Village ordinances, provided that no extension thereof shall be in effect, the persons to whom such permits shall have been issued, of his estate or assigns, may surrender such permit and shall thereupon be given a refund of twenty-five percent (25%) of the fee which shall have been paid thereon; provided, however, that no work has been done. No refund shall be made on permits for which the fee was one thousand dollars ($1,000) or less. No such refund shall be made unless such permit shall have been surrendered within one year after the approval of such original permit.
J. Change During Construction: If during the progress of work under a Building Permit, it is desired to change the plans upon which the permit was issued, or to change contractors, notice of such change must be filed with the Building Administrator. In the case of a change in plans, a written approval of the Building Administrator must be obtained therefor before such changes are made. If the valuation of the structure is increased by such changes, the additional proportionate fee must be paid before approval of such change. Three (3) new sets of plans showing the changes shall be furnished, and one of these sets, approved by the Building Administrator, shall replace those being kept with the Building Permit card.
K. Notice of Start: At least twenty-four (24) hours' notice of start of work under a Building Permit shall be given to the Building Administrator.
(Ord. 500, passed 6-3-2003)