(A) The Director of the city’s Enforcement Authority or his or her duly authorized representative may require as a part of the application for a permit the submission of a plat or sketch of the proposed location showing lot boundaries and plans and specifications showing the work to be done. In addition, a copy of a design release, issued by the state’s Building Commissioner and the state’s Fire Marshal, pursuant to I.C. 22-15-3-1, and a copy of the plans and specifications, that have been stamped by the state’s Building Commissioner and/or state’s Fire Marshal showing the work to be done, shall be provided to the city’s Enforcement Authority before issuance of a permit for construction covered by such design release.
(Prior Code, § 150.04)
(B) A building permit or service installation permit is required to be obtained prior to commencing work from the city’s Enforcement Authority on forms furnished by said Department in the following instances.
(1) Building permit.
(a) All construction, alteration, remodeling or repair of any building or structure, the cost of which exceeds $500;
(b) All roofing and siding installations, the cost of which exceeds $500;
(c) The demolition of any building or structure;
(d) The moving of any building of structure;
(e) The construction of a public swimming pool;
(f) The installation of a modular or manufactured home on a permanent foundation; and
(g) The installation of a temporary commercial mobile unit bearing an Indiana Seal of Compliance pursuant to I.C. 9-13-2-103.2.
(2) Service installation permit.
(a) The installation, alteration, extension or replacement of electrical wiring, panels and devices within the service area of Richmond Power and Light, including all new, temporary or replacement electrical service provided by Richmond Power and Light, new or replacement electric distribution panels, wiring for additional circuits, rewiring and circuit replacement, wiring for above ground and underground tanks, wiring for swimming pool equipment and bonding of metal components and wiring for appliances and equipment including signs;
(b) The installation, alteration, extension or replacement of all heating and air conditioning equipment;
(c) The installation, alteration, extension or replacement of air handling equipment and equipment for the removal of smoke and grease-laden vapors from cooking equipment;
(d) The installation, alteration, extension or replacement of all fire-extinguishing systems and/or fire alarm systems;
(e) The installation, alteration, extension or replacement of all plumbing, piping, fixtures, appliances and appurtenances in connection with sanitary drainage, liquid waste and sewerage systems, venting systems and water supply systems, the cost of which work exceeds $500;
(f) The installation of all new or replacement water heaters, regardless of cost; and
(g) Service installation permits are not required in the following instances:
1. Public utilities. Installation of public utilities with respect to construction, maintenance and development work performed in the exercise of their public function;
2. Railway utilities. Installation of electrical equipment employed by a railway utility directly in the exercise of its functions as a public carrier and located outdoors or in buildings used exclusively for that purpose;
3. Portable appliances. The installation of a portable heating appliance or of a portable air conditioning appliance;
4. Radio transmitting stations. Equipment used for radio transmission, whether erected on a building or on the ground. Such exception does not extend to equipment and wiring for power supply and the installation of radio towers and antenna;
5. Maintenance. The maintenance or servicing of an existing electrical, heating, air conditioning, air handling, commercial kitchen hood, fire-extinguishing, fire alarm or plumbing system for the purpose of maintaining it in safe operating condition in conformance with the provisions of this subchapter; and
6. Well drilling and water softening equipment. The drilling of wells and the installation of pumps, pressure tanks and piping incidental to a well system. The installation of water softening equipment.
(3) Permit obtained prior to commencing work. It shall be the duty of the property owner, or his or her authorized agent to obtain all necessary permits before any work has been started; except that, in cases where this subchapter requires that work be performed by a licensed contractor it shall be the responsibility of the licensed contractor to obtain all necessary permits prior to commencing work. A reinspection fee of $100 shall be assessed and added to the cost of a permit when construction, demolition or installation work is begun prior to the issuance of a permit and the jobsite has been inspected by any representative of the city’s Enforcement Authority.
(4) Permit to be posted on site. A building permit card shall be required to be posted on the job site in a conspicuous place in full view of the public during the construction, alteration, remodeling or repair of a building or structure until said work shall be completed and finally inspected. A copy of the service installation permit shall be required to be available on the job site pending inspection.
(5) Changes not to be made in plans after permit is issued. No change shall be made in any plans, specifications or construction, after the plans and specifications have been released by the state’s Building Commissioner and/or a building permit or service installation permit has been issued, unless such change is approved in writing by the state’s Building Commissioner and/or by the city’s Enforcement Authority.
(6) Non-conformity to law discovered after permit issued or plans approved. The issuance of a permit pursuant to the provisions of this subchapter or the approval of plans, prints or specifications, shall not be deemed to authorize any erection, construction, alteration or repair, or the performance of any work, in violation of any of the provisions of this subchapter, nor shall such issuance or approval be a guaranty, warrant or assurance to any person that any such plans, prints or set of specifications, are in conformity to the provisions of this subchapter and to all laws and ordinances. Upon the discovery of any departure of any such plans, print or specifications, from the requirements of this subchapter, such departure shall be corrected immediately, and the erection, construction, repair or work shall be made to conform to the provisions of this subchapter.
(7) Expiration of permits. Every permit shall expire if active work shall not have been commenced within 60 days of the date of issue thereof. If the work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned at any time after work is commenced, and work is not recommenced for a period of 180 days or more, such work shall be recommenced only after the issuance of a new permit.
(8) Revocation of a permit. The Director of the city’s Enforcement Authority or his or her duly authorized representative may revoke a permit if it is determined that the permit was issued in error or in violation of any rules of the state or provisions of this subchapter or if the permit is based on incorrect or insufficient information or if the person to whom the permit was issued ceases work and abandons the job prior to said job being completed and finally inspected. A written notice of revocation shall be served on the person who obtained the permit and the owner of the property either by delivery in person, by certified mail or by publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
(Prior Code, § 150.05)
(9) Penalty for failing to secure and adhere to requirements of a permit.
(a) In the event that a person fails to secure a permit for any work for which a permit is required as set forth within the this section; however, begins or continues such work, the enforcement authority shall assess a fee according to the following graduated schedule:
1. First offense: $100;
2. Second offense: $250; and
3. Third and subsequent offenses: $500.
(b) It shall constitute a separate offense for each day that a person violates this section. As such, if a person begins construction, demolition or installation that requires a permit hereunder without first obtaining a permit, a fine of $100 shall be assessed. If said person continues construction, demolition or installation for second day without obtaining the necessary permit, an additional fine of $250 shall be assessed. For each subsequent day that said person continues construction, demolition or installation without obtaining the necessary permits, a fine of $500 per day shall be assessed.
(c) The office of the City Attorney is authorized to purse a judgment for collection of the fines referenced herein in the county courts, which shall include reasonable attorney’s fees. Additionally, in the event that a person conducts work in violation of the provisions of this section, the City Attorney may pursue injunctive relief in order to require the violator to cure the non-compliance with this section.
(Ord. 121-1997, passed - -1997; Ord. 38-2005, passed - -2005; Ord. 37-2021, passed 8-16-2021)