(A) Building permits. No new development, change of use, moving in/moving out of structures, demolition, or other action which may be regulated by the provisions of this chapter including use, height, and number of occupants, lot area, off-street parking or yard requirements, shall occur without a building permit issued by the Zoning Administrator.
(1) An application for building permit, available from the Zoning Administrator of the city, shall be completed by the landowner requesting the building permit. Completed applications shall be returned to the Zoning Administrator for review. To be considered complete, the application form shall be accompanied by the following additional items:
(a) Any required attachments and city fees;
(b) Two copies of plans, showing the dimensions and shape of the lot to be built upon; the exact sizes and locations on the lot of buildings already existing, if any; the location and dimensions of the proposed building or alteration; the materials of which it is to be constructed; and the details and type of construction to be used;
(c) Any additional information, as requested by the Zoning Administrator, as lawfully may be required to determine conformance with and provide for the enforcement of this chapter.
(2) A temporary building permit may be issued by the Zoning Administrator for a period not exceeding 180 days during alterations or partial occupancy of a building pending its completion. The Zoning Administrator may attach conditions and safeguards to the temporary permit to protect the safety of the occupants and the public.
(3) One copy of the plans shall be returned to the applicant after the Zoning Administrator has marked the copy as either approved or disapproved, and attested to the same by signing the copy of the plans. One copy of the plans, similarly marked, shall be retained by the Zoning Administrator for city records.
(4) (a) If the Zoning Administrator determines the proposed action would not be in compliance with the provisions of these regulations, a building permit may not be issued, except upon completion of 1 of the following processes established in these regulations, as may be applicable to the proposed action. The Zoning Administrator shall inform the applicant when 1 of the following processes may be applicable:
1. Variance.
2. Conditional use.
3. Amendment.
(b) Issuance of a building permit shall indicate that, in the opinion of the Zoning Administrator, the proposed use and/or alterations of existing use are in compliance with the requirements of these zoning regulations. Issuance of a building permit shall not be construed as waiving any provisions of these regulations. Proposed uses and/or alterations of existing uses that are not in compliance with the requirements of these zoning regulations shall not be issued a building permit.
(5) (a) For the demolition or removal of a building that is furnished with sewer, a permit may be granted; provided, however, that in such case, a deposit guaranteeing the abandonment of the sewer service shall be deposited at application for the permit, the deposit to be in an amount to be determined by policy of the City Council.
(b) The deposit will be refunded upon completion of the work or the city will arrange for the work at actual cost, plus 10% to be paid for from the deposit, work to be completed within 30 days after the issuance of permit.
(c) If sewer service is to be reused or new service required for a new structure in the immediate future at the same location, deposit may be waived by the Zoning Administrator.
(B) Fees. A schedule of fees, charges, and expenses for permits, change of zone, appeals, and other matters pertaining to this chapter shall be established by resolution of the City Council. The current fee schedule shall be available from the Zoning Administrator. All fees shall be the property of the city and shall be paid over to the Zoning Administrator for credit to the general fund of the city, which under no condition shall be refunded. Until all applicable fees, charges, arid expenses have been paid in full, no action shall be taken on any application or appeal.
(C) Expiration of a building permit. Every building permit issued shall become invalid unless the work on the site authorized by the permit is commenced within 180 days after its issuance, or if the work authorized on the site by the permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of 180 days after the time the work is commenced. The Zoning Administrator is authorized to grant, in writing, one extension of time, for a period not more than 180 days. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.
(Ord. 1189, passed 7-7-2008; Am. Ord. 1409, passed 12-2-2019)