(a) No person shall perform any improvement, repair, construction, demolition, excavation, remodeling, erection or otherwise perform work on any premises within the City unless such person first obtains a building permit from the Collector-Treasurer or the Building Inspector or his authorized representative. "Ordinary repairs" as defined hereinbelow in subsection (k) shall not require a permit.
(b) Such application shall be on a form designated by the Collector-Treasurer or by the Building Inspector. Such form shall set forth information as to the type of construction and the square footage of floor space to be contained. Such application shall also be accompanied with such plans and information which may be required by any building code which may be subsequently enacted by Council.
(c) Application shall be made for the building permit at least three days prior to commencement of any construction for which a permit is required.
(d) There shall be imposed the following schedule of fees for building permits based on the cost of construction, repair or alteration:
Cost | Fee | ||
Up to | $99.00 | $5.00 | |
$100 | - | $999.99 | $10.00 |
$1,000 | - | $1,499.00 | $25.00 |
$1,500 | - | $1,999.00 | $30.00 |
$2,000 | - | $2,499.00 | $35.00 |
$2,500 | - | $2,999.00 | $40.00 |
$3,000 | - | $4,999.00 | $45.00 |
$5,000 | - | $9,999.00 | $55.00 |
$10,000 | - | $14,999.00 | $70.00 |
$15,000 | - | $19,999.00 | $80.00 |
$20,000 | - | $24,999.00 | $85.00 |
$25,000 | - | $34,999.00 | $110.00 |
$35,000 | - | $49,999.00 | $140.00 |
$50,000 | - | $74,999.00 | $385.00 |
$75,000 | - | $89,999.00 | $660.00 |
$90,000 | - | $99,999.00 | $880.00 |
$100,000 | - | And up | One percent (1%) of cost |
(e) The Building Inspector or his representative is hereby authorized to conduct inspections at any reasonable time pursuant to the issuance, renewal or revocation of a building permit or a use and occupancy certificate under this section.
(f) Whoever makes application for a building permit and willfully makes false or inaccurate statements with the intent of evading the requirements of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor. Whoever performs work without first obtaining a building permit when such work requires a building permit under this section is also guilty of a misdemeanor.
(g) Whoever fails to obtain a building permit or use and occupancy certificate as required under this section, or has a permit or certificate revoked under this section, or submits a false or inaccurate application for a permit or certificate, shall be assessed an administrative surcharge of one hundred dollars ($100.00), in addition to payment of the required fees, at such time that all requirements of this section are met and a valid permit or certificate becomes issued.
(h) "Person" as used in this section for purposes of obtaining a building permit includes any owner of the premises whereupon work is performed, the contractor or builder in charge of such work, or an agent of the owner at whose insistence the work is performed. The City may require any or all of the foregoing persons to make payment for building permit fees under this section. Any owner who is performing work other than "ordinary repairs" without employing the services of a contractor shall pay the fee specified in subsection (d) based upon the estimated cost of construction, repair or alteration. In such case, the owner may be required to provide the Collector-Treasurer or Building Inspector with receipts or invoices for materials. For a construction project the City will require each contractor to obtain a separate permit for each phase of the work on the project: However, the City shall be prohibited from collecting building permit fees in excess of the schedule of the value of the work performed upon any given premises.
(i) No building permit will be issued to any contractor who does not possess a valid State of West Virginia contractor's license or who does not possess a valid City contractor's business license. No permit will be issued to any person wishing to employ an unlicensed contractor. A permit for a commercial improvement in excess of $25,000.00 will not be issued until the contractor provides a written certified list of all contractors who will perform work on such property, or a certified statement that no subcontractors will be hired.
(j) "Ordinary repairs" includes the following when performed on an owner occupied residential dwelling:
(1) Ordinary building repairs include:
A. Exterior and interior painting - any contractor or person employing a contractor for interior or exterior painting will be required to obtain a permit but will not be required to pay a fee.
B. Installation, repair or replacement of any interior finish in a one or two family dwelling, such as vinyl wall covering, or plastering an existing wall. Replacement of paneling and drywall are not to be included as ordinary repairs, except in one and two family dwellings.
C. Wall papering at any location.
D. The replacement of glass in any window or door. However, the replacement of glass shall be of the type and quality so as to comply with minimum requirements of the Building Code.
E. The repair of any non-structural member such as a railing.
F. The repair or replacement of any interior or exterior trim, decoration or moldings.
G. The replacement or installation of any flooring material including carpeting, with a new material.
H. The repair of any part of a porch or stoop which does not structurally support a roof above.
I. The replacement or installation of screens.
J. The installation of any roll or batt insulation when installed adjacent to or not more than one and one-half inches from an interior finish.
(2) Ordinary plumbing repairs include:
A. Repairs involving only working parts of a faucet, valve or plumbing fixture.
B. The clearance of stoppages or the repair of leaks provided such repairs do not require any change in the piping arrangement.
C. Replacement of any faucet or valve provided nonrearrangement of the connecting piping system is required.
(3) Ordinary electrical repairs include:
A. The replacement of any receptacle, switch, or lighting fixture rated as 20 amps or less and operating at less than 150 volts to ground with a like or similar item.
B. Repairs to any installed electrically operated equipment such as doorbells, communication systems, elevators and any motor operated device.
(4) Ordinary fire protection repairs include:
A. The replacement of any sprinkler or smoke detector or heat detector head with a like device in a one or two family dwelling only.
B. The repair or replacement of any component of a fire alarm or smoke and heat detection equipment in a one or two family dwelling only.
(5) Ordinary heating, ventilation and air condition repairs shall include:
A. Replacement of motors, pumps and fans of the same capacity.
B. Repair and replacement of heating supply and return piping and ratiation elements, which does not require rearrangement of the piping system.
C. Repair and replacement of duct work.
D. Repair and replacement of packaged air-conditioning equipment and systems with a like capacity that are listed by a nationally recognized testing agency.
E. Repair and replacement of control devices for heating and air conditioning equipment.
(k) The provisions of this article shall be in addition to requirements of the Zoning Ordinance of the City and any other ordinances specifying requirements for construction or excavation. The fee charged hereunder shall be in addition to any other fees specified in other ordinances of the City.
(l) Building permits are issued for an effective period of six consecutive calendar months for additions and repairs to existing structures. Building permits issued for new structures are effective for a period of one calendar year or twelve consecutive months. Permit holders must complete the project within the effective period. Permit holders unable to complete the project within the effective period must either have a new permit issued or become subject to the penalty identified in Section 1707.99. Those obtaining a new permit will be subject to a new permit fee as outlined in subsection (d).
(Ord. 2013-7-2. Passed 8-13-13.)