(A) Zoning Administrator. A Zoning Administrator appointed by the County Manager, or his or her authorized agent, is hereby authorized, and it shall be his or her duty, to administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter. This official shall have the right to enter upon the premises at any reasonable time necessary to carry out his or her duties. It is the intention of this chapter that all questions arising in connection with enforcement and interpretation shall be presented first to the Zoning Administrator. Appeal from his or her decision shall be made to the Board of Adjustment.
(B) Procedures. In administering the provisions of this chapter, the Zoning Administrator shall:
(1) Make and maintain records of all applications for permits and requests listed herein, and records of all permits issued or denied, with notations of all special conditions or modifications involved;
(2) File and safely keep copies of all plans submitted, and the same shall form a part of the records of his or her office and shall be available for inspection at reasonable times by any interested person;
(3) Transmit to the appropriate board or commission and the Board of County Commissioners all applications and plans for which its review and approval is required;
(4) Conduct inspections of the premises and, upon finding that any of the provisions of this chapter are being violated, notify in writing the person responsible for such violations, indicating the nature of the violation and ordering the action necessary to correct it; and
(5) Provide written notice to property owners and concerned parties of all binding interpretations of compliance with this chapter regarding land development proposals.
(C) Zoning permits.
(1) A valid zoning permit shall be presented with any application for a building permit. No building permit shall be issued for any activity in a zoned area until such zoning permit is presented.
(2) It shall be unlawful to commence the excavation for, or the construction of, any building or other structure including accessory structures; or to commence the moving, alteration or repair of any structures; or the use of any land or building, including accessory structures, until the Zoning Administrator has issued a zoning permit for such work or use including a statement that the plans, specifications and intended use of such land, or structures, in all respects conforms with the provisions of this chapter. Application for a zoning permit shall be made in writing to the Zoning Administrator on forms provided for that purpose. Zoning permits shall be void after six months from the date of issue unless substantial progress on the project has been made by that time.
(D) Approval of plans. It shall be unlawful for the Zoning Administrator to approve any site plans or issue a zoning permit for any purpose regulated by this chapter until he/she has inspected such site plans in detail and found them in conformity with this chapter. To this end, the Zoning Administrator shall require that every application for a zoning permit be accompanied by a site plan or plat meeting the requirements of §§ 154.012.
(E) Issuance of permits. If the proposed activity, as set forth in the application, is in conformity with the provisions of this chapter, the Zoning Administrator, or their assigns, shall issue a zoning permit. If any application for a zoning permit is not approved, the Zoning Administrator shall state in writing on the application the cause for such disapproval. Issuance of a permit shall in no case be construed as waiving any provision of this chapter or any other ordinance or regulation.
(Ord. passed 9-17-2001; Ord. passed 3-17-2003; Ord. passed 5-5-2003; Ord. passed 5-29-2003; Ord. passed 12-1-2003; Ord. passed 5-17-2004; Ord. passed 8-16-2004; Ord. passed 2-21-2005; Ord. passed 4-18-2005; Ord. passed 1-17-2006; Ord. passed 11-4-2013; Ord. passed 4-17-2023)