§ 105-23. Permit fees.

(a)

No permit as required by the building code shall be issued until the fee prescribed by the city council shall have been paid. Nor shall an amendment to a permit be approved until the additional fee, if any, due to the increase in the estimated cost of building or structure shall have been paid.

(b)

In case of abandonment or discontinuance, the cost of work performed under a permit may be estimated, an adjustment of the fee made and the portion of the fee for uncompleted work returned to the permit holder; provided that no refund of a prescribed minimum fee shall be made. If such discontinuance is due to the revocation of a permit, a similar adjustment and return may be made; provided that, no refund shall be made until all penalties incurred or imposed by due authority have been collected. After such a refund has been made, no work shall be resumed until a new application has been made and a new permit has been issued.

(c)

It shall be unlawful to commence the construction, reconstruction, moving, demolishing or structural alteration of any building until the building inspector has issued a building permit for such work. No building permit shall be issued unless the proposed construction or use is in full conformity with all the provisions of this chapter and other applicable building laws, ordinances or regulations.

(d)

Every building permit for new construction shall expire by limitation at the end of six months from the date of issue unless substantial work is in progress, as shown to the building inspector and if in progress, shall expire by limitation at the end of 18 months, unless it is a major project valued at more than $3,000,000.00 which shall expire at the end of 24 months.

(e)

A building permit for renovation of rehabilitation of an existing structure shall expire by limitation at the end of six months from the date of issue unless substantial work is in progress as shown to the building inspector, and if in progress, shall expire by limitation at the end of 12 months.

(f)

A building permit shall not be issued to the renovation of any structure when condemnation proceedings involving said structure by the city council are considered final.

(g)

Before beginning any work, except grading, within the city, the person responsible for building a structure shall make application for a building permit and shall pay all fees for said construction. A double fee shall be assessed to any person, firm or contractor commencing any work prior to issuance of a building permit, and for nonpayment of the fee for said permit.

(Code 1962, § 5-11; Code 2006, § 11.04.08; Ord. No. 1707, § 1; Ord. No. 2159, § 1; Ord. No. 2166, § 1; Ord. No. 2186, § 2)