§ 18-1. Building permits.

(a)

Required. No person shall construct or erect any building of any type whatsoever, or make any addition or alteration to any existing building of any type without first obtaining a building permit from the building inspector.

(b)

Plans and specifications to accompany application. All applicants for building permits shall submit plans for the construction of any building or for the alterations or additions to any existing building, which plans shall show the legal description of the property on which the improvements are to be erected, the boundary lines of the property, the location of the proposed improvements on the property, and the purpose for which the improvements to be erected are to be used.

(c)

Fees; schedule.

(1)

Building permits: Building permit fees shall be as established by the applicable governing authority. Each subsequent schedule is hereby adopted by reference, so that the most current schedule shall be in effect. Residential permit fees for new construction, alteration, remodeling, and repair shall be based on a presumed cost of $70.00 per square foot of heated space.

(2)

Inspection trips: Initial permit fees for residential buildings are for up to eight inspection trips per building. If additional trips are required, the first additional (ninth) inspection trip fee shall be $35.00; the second additional trip fee shall be $75.00; the third additional trip fee shall be $150.00; and the fee for each further trip shall be $200.00.

(3)

Plan review fees: The plan review fee shall be:

a.

Fifty dollars for work valued up to $150,000.00; and

b.

Seventy-five dollars for work valued over $150,000.00.

(d)

Regulations. If, after issuance of a building permit as provided in this section, the construction for which such permit was issued is not commenced within six months from the date of such building permit, then a new building permit must be obtained before commencing any construction. No construction work of any nature shall be performed on any building or dwelling before obtaining the required building permit, except that foundation ditches may be excavated before obtaining the required building permit. If construction is commenced on any building or dwelling before the permit required in this section has been obtained, then the building permit fee for such construction shall be double the amount provided for in subsection (c) of this section.

(e)

Disposition of funds. All funds collected by the city building inspector for building permits issued under the provisions of this chapter shall be turned over to the city administrator or his designee who shall deposit all such funds in the general fund of the city.

(f)

Single-family residential structures.

(1)

Applications made by professional builders acting as general contractors a building permit for the construction of a dwelling, intended principally for residential purposes, shall include a copy of such applicant's license and a statement by such applicant that such license is in full force and effect.

(2)

Applications by nonprofessional builders acting as general contractors for building permits for a dwelling to be used as the applicants principal dwelling and residence shall be accompanied by proof of workers' compensation insurance which shall cover any and all contractors and employees to be hired and general liability insurance for the premises upon which the construction shall occur in an amount not less than $100,000.00 per occurrence.

(3)

A nonprofessional builder may be granted only one building permit for the construction of a dwelling to be used as the applicant's principal dwelling and residence within three years from the date that the applicant last received a building permit for the same purpose.

(4)

The requirements of this subsection shall be deemed to be independent of the requirements of any other section or ordinance for the issuance of permits for such construction.

(5)

No building permit for single-family residential structures shall issue except for properly authorized, platted, and recorded residential lots, provided, however that model home building permits may be issued for residential subdivisions that have not received final plat approval, subject to the following conditions:

a.

Building permits for model homes shall not exceed one permit for every 25 lots in the residential subdivision.

b.

Each lot where the model home is to be constructed must be supported by adequate infrastructure, including without limitation, streets, drainage, fire suppression, water and sewer.

c.

No vested right to residential occupancy shall be granted with the issuance of the model home building permit.

d.

Nonresidential modifications or uses shall cease and conform to the residential character of the neighborhood no more than 90 days beyond the sale of the final residential lot in the subdivision.

(Code 1978, §§ 11.28.01—11.28.06; Ord. No. 03-07, 3-18-2003; Ord. No. 04-14, § I, 5-4-2004; Ord. No. 14-23, § I, 9-16-2014; Ord. No. 14-28, § 1, 12-16-2014)