(A) The Building Commissioner is empowered to make preliminary examinations of any plans, specifications, or plats, which may be submitted to him or her prior to making formal application for a building permit. As a result of such examination, the Building Commissioner may state his or her opinion as to whether or not the preliminary plans are in conformance with the city Building Code or the city Zoning Code. This opinion shall not be binding on the municipality and the Building Commissioner may change his or her opinion during his or her consideration of the formal application for a building permit.
(B) The municipality shall provide the Building Commissioner with forms of application for building permits. These forms shall set forth spaces for information as the Building Commissioner deems appropriate. Upon filing of this application and a deposit of $25, the Building Commissioner shall inspect the application, plans, plats, etc., submitted to him or her and make his or her opinion as to whether or not the construction as contemplated conforms to the applicable provisions of the city Building Code and the city Zoning Code. The Building Commissioner shall upon being satisfied that the plans do conform with the provisions of the city Building Code and the city Zoning Code, stamp such plans as "approved" by the Building Department.
(C) In the event proffered plans are disapproved, or in the event no action is taken upon such plans by the Building Commissioner within 30 days, which inaction shall be deemed disapproval, the person, firm, or corporation, having submitted such plans, shall thereafter have such rights as are established under the Zoning Code of this municipality. Applicants for permits shall be obligated for 50% of the required permit fees, when, upon notification that the permit has been approved, the applicant fails to secure the same.
(D) Where the Building Commissioner finds that a building is a serious hazard or constitutes a public nuisance, and the owner of such building fails in the time specified in a written notice from the Building Commissioner to eliminate such hazard or nuisance, or to vacate or raze the building, the Building Commissioner may proceed under R.C. § 3781.15.
(E) No amendment of the standards for construction established by the city Building Code shall be permitted except and until the following requirements are met.
(1) There is filed with the Building Commissioner a petition as required by 1202.37 (A) through (F) and 1202.38 of the Ohio Building Code, which sections are incorporated herein by reference.
(2) The Building Commissioner certifies the petition for amendment to the Municipal Council as:
(a) Being in the best interest of the public of the municipality.
(b) Being in conformity with the minimum standards established by the Ohio Building Code.
(‘67 Code, § 152.03) (Am. Ord. 12-1979, passed 6-6-79; Am. Ord. 26-1981, passed 10-7-81)