Except as otherwise specifically provided for, the following provisions shall prevail in the issuance of all types of permits. The Building and Zoning Inspector, before issuing any permit, is authorized to charge and collect the fees and deposits specified in this chapter. The fees prescribed herein shall be additive and unless otherwise specifically provided separate fees shall be paid for each of the items listed.
(a) Calculating Aggregate Floor Area. The aggregate floor area shall be the sum of the gross horizontal areas of the several floors, including attached garages, basements, cellars and attics that are at least fifty percent habitable. All horizontal dimensions shall be taken from the exterior faces of walls, including enclosed porches and stoops.
(b) Establishing Cost. Where the permit fee is based upon the cost of the work done under the permit, such costs shall be the actual cost as certified by the owner or authorized representative of the owner, and as approved by the Building and Zoning Inspector.
The Building and Zoning Inspector may, at any time up to three months after the completion of the building, require the submission of authoritative estimates or actual cost data to substantiate the estimated cost stated in the application for a permit, and require the payment of additional fees when it is demonstrated that the actual cost of the work is in excess of the estimated cost upon which permit fees were based.
(c) Time Limitation. Any permit issued shall become invalid unless the work authorized by it has been commenced within six months after its issuance or if the work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of one year after the time the work is commenced. For cause, one or more extensions of time for periods not exceeding ninety days each may be allowed in writing by the Building and Zoning Inspector.
(d) Refund of Permit Fees. Whenever the work for which a permit has been issued has been abandoned and is not to be done, such permit may be returned to the Building and Zoning Inspector for cancellation and, after a deduction of twenty dollars ($20.00) from the permit fee has been made, one-half of the balance of the permit fee, if any, shall be refunded.
(e) Refund of Cash Deposits. Cash deposits shall be refunded only after the Building and Zoning Inspector, the Director of Public Service and the City Engineer have deducted all charges for all damages or inspections and after a determination is made that no future damages or inspections will be necessary or are reasonably foreseeable.
(f) Certificate of Occupancy. The builder, owner or other person having control of a building under construction is prohibited from allowing such building to be occupied until it has been finally inspected and approved by the Building and Zoning Inspector and a certificate of occupancy has been applied for, in writing, and has been issued by the Building and Zoning Inspector.
(Ord. 1994-37. Passed 2-15-94; Ord. 1999-24. Passed 1-19-99; Ord. 2013-123. Passed 11-12-13.)