(A) (1) Except as specifically provided in divisions (A)(2)(a) and (b) below, no material change shall be made in the use of land and no structure or tree shall be erected, altered, platted or otherwise established in any zone hereby created unless a permit therefore shall have been applied for and granted by the Zoning Administrator, hereinafter provided for.
(2) Each application for a permit shall indicate the purpose for which the permit is desired, with sufficient particularity to permit it to conform to the regulations herein prescribed. If the determination is in the affirmative, the permit shall be granted.
(a) However, a permit for a tree or structure of less than 75 feet of vertical height above the ground shall not be required in the horizontal and conical zones or in any approach and transitional zones beyond a horizontal distance of 4,200 feet from each end of the runways except when the tree or structure, because of terrain, land contour or topographic features, would extend above the height limit prescribed for the respective zone.
(b) Nothing contained in this foregoing exception shall be construed as permitting or intending to permit any construction, alteration or growth of any structure or tree in excess of any of the height limitations established by this chapter, as set forth in § 153.04.
(B) Before any existing use or structure may be replaced, substantially altered or repaired, or rebuilt within any zone established herein, a permit must be secured authorizing the replacement, change or repair. No permit shall be granted that would allow the establishment or creation of an airport hazard or permit a nonconforming use, structure or tree to become a greater hazard to air navigation than it was on the effective date of this chapter or any amendments thereto, or than it is when the application for a permit is made. Except as indicated, all applications for a permit shall be granted.
(C) Whenever the Zoning Administrator determines that a nonconforming structure or tree has been abandoned or more than 80% torn down, physically deteriorated or decayed, no permit shall be granted that would allow the structure or tree to exceed the applicable height limit or otherwise deviate from the zoning regulations. A nonconforming use structure or tree shall be determined to have been abandoned when its use has been discontinued for more than six consecutive months, or where it has been abandoned or more than 80% thereof has either been torn down, become unusable by physical deterioration or decay, and the conditions shall have existed for more than six consecutive months. Whether application is made for a permit under this section or not, the Zoning Administrator may order the owner of the abandoned or partially destroyed nonconforming structure, at their own expense, to lower, remove, reconstruct or equip the same in the manner necessary to conform to the provisions of this chapter. In the event the owner of the nonconforming structure shall neglect or refuse to comply with such order for ten days after receipt of written notice of the order, the Zoning Administrator may, by appropriate legal action, proceed to have the abandoned or partially destroyed nonconforming structure lowered, removed, reconstructed or equipped and assess the cost and expense thereof against the land on which the structure is or was located. Unless an assessment is paid within 90 days from the service of notice thereof on the owner of the land, the sum shall bear interest at the rate of 8% per annum from the date the cost and expense is incurred until paid, and shall be collected in the same manner as are general taxes.
(Ord. 1040, passed 1-5-16)