A development permit shall be required for any proposed use of land(s) or building(s), to indicate and ensure compliance with all provisions of this chapter before any building permit is issued or any improvement, grading or alteration of land(s) or building(s) commences, except as otherwise exempted by this article. This permit may be evidenced by a letter from the zoning administrator, or by a signature on any land disturbance permit issued by the city.

(Ord. No. 12-22-20, 1-5-2021)

A development permit shall not be required for individual structures within approved subdivisions, nor shall a development permit be required for a detached, single-family dwelling unit on an individual lot.

(Ord. No. 12-22-20, 1-5-2021)

All applications for a development permit shall be made to the zoning administrator and shall be accompanied by four complete sets of plans drawn to scale, signed and stamped by an engineer registered in Georgia who has authority to produce such plans. Applications shall be made in accordance with application requirements specified by the zoning administrator.

(Ord. No. 12-22-20, 1-5-2021)

The zoning administrator and city engineer shall review the application for development permit, and upon completion of the review, one copy of such plans shall be returned to the owner along with notice of a decision to approve or deny the development permit. All development permits shall be issued by the zoning administrator, who shall in no case grant any development permit for the use, construction or alteration of any land or building if the land or building as proposed to be used, constructed or altered would be in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter.

If the development permit is denied, the zoning administrator shall state in writing the reason for the denial and the applicant shall be notified of the denial. A record of all development permits shall be kept on file in the office of the zoning administrator and shall be available for public inspection.

(Ord. No. 12-22-20, 1-5-2021)

A development permit shall expire two years after its issuance. If the work described in any development permit has not been begun within 120 days from the date of issuance thereof, said permit shall expire, and if work described in any development permit has not been substantially completed within two years of the date of issuance thereof, said permit shall expire. Written notice of the expiration shall be given to the persons affected, only if the permit is being revoked prior to the two-year expiration date.

(Ord. No. 12-22-20, 1-5-2021)

The building official is hereby authorized to issue building permits in accordance with all provisions of this chapter and only after the zoning administrator has issued a development permit or if no development permit is required, after review of said building permit for compliance with the provisions of this chapter.

No building, or other structure shall be erected, moved, extended or enlarged, or structurally altered, nor shall any excavation, grading, or filling of any lot for the construction of any building or structure be commenced until the building official has issued a building permit for such work in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.

Approval of a building permit shall require an application to the building official as specified in the building and related codes of the city. If the building permit is denied, the building official shall state in writing the reason for the denial and the applicant shall be notified of the denial. A record of all building permits shall be kept on file in the office of the building official and shall be open to public inspection.

Any building permit issued shall become invalid unless the work authorized by it shall have been commenced within 120 days of its date of issue, or if the work authorized by it is suspended or abandoned for a period of six months.

(Ord. No. 12-22-20, 1-5-2021)

A certificate of occupancy issued by the building official is required in advance of occupancy or use, any building or structure hereafter erected, or a change in the use of an existing building or structure. A certificate of occupancy shall not be issued unless the proposed use of a building or land conforms to the applicable provisions of this chapter. If the certificate of occupancy is denied, the building official shall state in writing the reason for the denial and the applicant shall be notified of the denial. A record of all certificates shall be kept on file in the office of the building official and shall be open to public inspection.

(Ord. No. 12-22-20, 1-5-2021)