(A) All building permits and mechanical permits are required to be obtained, unless exempted by the Indiana Building Code, prior to commencing work from the Building Commission in the following instances:
(1) Building permit.
(a) All construction, alteration, remodeling or repair of any building or structure;
(b) All roofing and siding installations;
(c) The demolition of any building or structure;
(d) The moving of any building or structure;
(e) The construction of a public swimming pool; and
(f) The installation of a modular or manufactured home on a permanent foundation.
(2) Electrical permit.
(a) The installation, alteration, extension or replacement of electrical wiring, panels and devices within the service area of Public Service Indiana, including all new, temporary or replacement electrical service provided by a public electric utility company, new or replacement electric distribution panels, wiring for additional circuits, rewiring and circuit replacement, and wiring for appliances and equipment including signs;
(b) The installation, alteration, extension or replacement of all heating and air conditioning systems, equipment, apparatus or devices;
(c) 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;
(d) The installation of all new or replacement water heaters, regardless of cost;
(e) The installation or replacement of tanks and dispensing equipment for flammable and combustible liquids or gases; and
(f) Mechanical installation permits are not required in the following instances:
1. The installation or replacement of liquid petroleum gas (lpg) storage facilities having a total capacity of not more than 4,000 gallons and no single tank having a capacity of more than 2,000 gallons measured as gallons of water;
2. The installation or replacement of storage tanks for Class I, II, IIIA or IIIB liquids, having a capacity of 660 gallons or less, that meet the requirements of Section 4-2 of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 20, as incorporated by reference in 675 I.A.C. 22-1;
3. Public utilities: installation of public utilities with respect to construction, maintenance and development work performed in the exercise of their public function;
4. 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;
5. Portable appliances: the installation of a portable heating appliance or of a portable air conditioning appliance;
6. Radio transmitting stations: equipment used for radio transmission, whether erected on a building or on the ground. The exception does not extend to equipment and wiring for power supply and the installation of radio towers and antenna and grounding means;
7. Maintenance: the maintenance or servicing of an existing electrical, heating, air conditioning, fire extinguishing, fire- alarm or plumbing system or flammable and combustible liquid or gas tank and dispensing equipment for the purpose of maintaining it in safe operating condition in conformance with the provisions of this code; and
8. 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 code 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.
(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 the work shall be completed and finally inspected. A copy of the respective permit shall be required to be available on the job site pending inspection. On new construction a weather resistant job box or job board shall be posted with the job name and address affixed in a manner to insure the property can be readily identified.
(5) Changes not to be made in plans after permit is issued. No changes shall be made in any plans, specifications or construction, after the plans and specifications have been released by the State Building Commissioner and/or a building permit or mechanical permit has been issued, unless the change is approved in writing by the State Building Commissioner and/or by the Department of Building Commission.
(6) Nonconformity to law discovered after a permit is issued or plans approved. The issuance of a permit pursuant to the provisions of this code 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 code, nor shall the issuance or approval, be a guaranty, warrant or assurance to any person that any plans, prints or set of specifications, are in conformity to the provisions of this code and to all laws and ordinances. Upon the discovery of any departure of any plans, prints or specifications, from the requirements of this code, the departure shall be corrected immediately, and the erection, construction, repair or work shall be made to conform to the provisions of this code.
(7) Expiration. Every permit shall expire by limitation if active work shall not have been commenced within 60 days of the date of issue thereof. If the work authorized by the permit is suspended or abandoned at any time after work is commenced, for a period of 90 days, the work shall be recommenced only after the issuance of a new permit. If no construction has begun above the foundation of a proposed building or structure within one year of the date of issue of the permit, the permit shall expire by limitation.
(8) Revocation. The Building Commissioner 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 code 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 the 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 or certified mail.
(9) (a) Permits shall only be issued to individuals or companies that hold a valid license, through the town, in the field in which type of permit they wish to obtain.
(b) Exception. If the sole owner and resident of a private residence chooses to do the permitted work in lieu of using a licensed professional he or she shall fill out and sign an affidavit, provided by the Building Commissioner, affirming his or her wish to assume the liability for his or her work.
(Ord. 96-640, passed 3-11-96; Am. Ord. 96-644, passed 6-10-96; Am. Ord. 99-714, passed 4-12-99; Am. Ord. 2009-010, passed 4-27-09; Am. Ord. 2012-004, passed 3-26-12; Am. Ord. 2021-OR-015, passed 5-24-21)