(1) It shall be unlawful to commence or to proceed with the erection, construction, reconstruction, conversion, alteration, enlargement, extension, razing, or moving of any building or structure or any portion thereof without first having applied, in writing, to the Director of Public Works for a building permit to do so and a building permit having been granted therefor. Primary responsibility for securing the necessary permits shall be the property owner's. If the property owner should contract part or all of the proposed work, it shall be the responsibility of both the owner and contractor to ensure that all required permits and approvals have been secured prior to any work being initiated.

(2) Blank forms shall be provided by the Director of Public Works for the use of those applying for permits as provided in this article. Any permits issued by the Director of Public Works shall be on standard forms for such purpose. There shall be a separate permit for each building or structure to be constructed, altered, or erected, except for accessory buildings, which may be included in the permit for the principal building when construction is simultaneous.

(3) Any building permit issued in a residential zoning district shall expire if no construction work has commenced within six (6) months after the date of issuance of the permit or if the proposed construction has not been completed within twelve (12) months after the date of issuance of the permit. The permit may be extended prior to its expiration upon written application to the Director of Public Works, who may extend the permit for no more than six (6) months, upon good cause shown for failing to commence or complete construction. No additional permit fee shall be charged for a permit extension requested prior to expiration of the original permit, unless the Director of Public Works determines that there was not good cause shown for failing to commence or complete construction. No permit shall be extended more than two times, unless a new permit fee is submitted.

(4) Any building permit issued in a non-residential zoning district shall expire if no construction work has commenced within six (6) months after the date of issuance of the permit or if the proposed construction has not been completed within twenty-four (24) months after the date of issuance of the permit. The permit may be extended prior to its expiration upon written application to the Director of Public Works, who may extend the permit for no more than six (6) months, upon good cause shown for failing to commence or complete construction. No additional permit fee shall be charged for a permit extension requested prior to expiration of the original permit, unless the Director of Public Works determines that there was not good cause shown for failing to commence or complete construction. No permit shall be extended more than two times, unless a new permit fee is submitted.
 

(b) Voiding of building permit. A permit may be revoked by the Director of Public Works at any time prior to the completion of the building or structure for which the same was issued, when it shall appear to him that there is departure from the plans, specifications, or conditions as required under terms of the permit, that the same was procured by false representation, or that any provisions of this article are being violated. Written notice of such revocation shall be served upon the owner, his agent, or contractor, or upon any person employed on the building or structure for which such permit was issued, via a stop-work order, which shall be posted in a prominent location, and thereafter no such construction shall proceed.

(c) Occupancy permits. No building or structure or part thereof, other than a single-family residence shall hereafter be constructed or altered until issuance of a proper permit. No new use, extension or alteration of an existing use, or conversion from one (1) use to another, shall be allowed in any building, structure or land or part thereof until issuance of a proper permit; except that no permit shall be required for the raising of agricultural crops, orchards or forestry. No occupancy permit shall be issued for any use or change in use unless such use or change in use is in conformity with the provisions of this article.

(d) Flatwork Permits. No paving or flatwork, including, but not limited to, driveways, patios, and sidewalks, outside of the City's rights-of-way, shall hereafter be constructed or altered until issuance of a permit by the Director of Public Works, provided that a permit shall not be required for paving or flatwork involving two hundred (200) square feet or less. Flatwork shall include the use of impervious pavers for a patio, or sidewalk. No flatwork permit shall be issued for any use or change in use unless such use or change in use is in conformity with the provisions of this Chapter, and with applicable zoning regulations. Landscaping, including retaining walls and stepping stones, shall not require a flatwork permit. The fee for such permit shall be in an amount established by the Board of Aldermen.

(e) Floodplain certification. Applications for flood plain certification shall be upon the form designated by the Director of Public Works, and shall include the locator number of the parcel of land for which certification is sought.

(f) Compliance with permits and certificates. Permits or certificates issued on the basis of approved plans and applications authorize only the use, arrangement, and construction set forth in approved plans and applications, and no other use, arrangement, or construction. Use, arrangement, or construction at variance with that authorized shall be deemed a violation of this Article and punishable as provided by Chapter 7: Buildings and Building Regulations, Section 7-4: Violations And Penalties.

See Permits & Licenses for more information.