A zoning administrator (official or officials appointed by the city for carrying out the provisions and enforcement of this ordinance) shall administer and enforce this ordinance. He may be provided with assistance of such other persons as the city directs.

If the zoning administrator finds that any of the provisions of this ordinance are being violated, he shall take such action as is permitted by law.

In addition to the foregoing, the zoning administrator shall have the authority to order discontinuance of illegal use of land, buildings, structures, signs, fences, or additions, alterations, or structural changes thereto, discontinuance of any illegal work being done.

All questions of interpretation and enforcement shall be first presented to the zoning administrator, and that such questions shall be presented to the board of adjustment only on appeal from the decision of the zoning administrator, and that recourse from the decisions of the board of adjustment shall be to the courts, as provided by the Kentucky Revised Statutes.

It shall be illegal for any person or entity to interfere with the zoning administrator's performance of his duties, as defined herein.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Zoning permits shall be issued in accordance with the following provisions:

1. ZONING PERMIT REQUIRED: No public or private building or other structure shall be erected, moved, added to, structurally altered, or changed from one permitted use to another, nor shall any grading take place on any lot or parcel of ground without a permit, issued by the zoning administrator. No zoning permit shall be issued except in conformity with the provisions of this ordinance, except after written orders from the board of adjustment.
2. APPLICATION FOR ZONING PERMITS: All applications for zoning permits shall be accompanied by:
   1. A completed application form, provided by the zoning administrator (in triplicate - See APPENDIX A).
   2. The required fee for a zoning permit, as provided for in SECTION 19.0 of this ordinance.
   3. A site plan, if required by this ordinance, or
   4. A plot plan, in triplicate, drawn at a scale of not less than one (1) inch to thirty (30) feet, showing the following information as required by this ordinance.
      1. The location of every existing and proposed building with number of floors and gross floor area, the use or uses to be contained therein, the number of structures including dimensions and height, including dimensions and height, and the number, size, and type of dwelling units.
      2. All property lines, shape and dimensions of the lot to be built upon.
      3. Lot width at minimum building setback line.
      4. Minimum front and rear yard depths and side yard widths.
      5. Existing topography, with a maximum of two (2) foot contour intervals. Where existing ground is on a slope of less than two (2) percent, either one (1) foot contours or spot elevations not more than fifty (50) feet apart shall be required.
      6. The proposed finished grade of the development area shown by contours with intervals not larger than two (2) feet supplemented where necessary by spot elevations.
      7. Total lot area, in square feet.
      8. Location and dimensions of all curb cuts, driving aisles, off-street parking and loading and/or unloading spaces, including number of spaces, angle of stalls, and illumination facilities.
      9. Layout, type of surfacing, cross sections, and drainage plans for all off-street parking facilities.
      10. A drainage plan of the lot area including provisions for the adequate control of erosion and sedimentation, indicating the proposed temporary and permanent control practices and measures which will be implemented during all phases of clearing, grading, and construction.
      11. All sidewalks, malls, and open spaces.
      12. Location, type, and height of all walls, fences, and screen plantings.
      13. Location, size, height, class, and orientation of all signs.
      14. Location of all existing and proposed streets, including rights-ofway and pavement widths.
      15. All existing and proposed water and sanitary sewer facilities, indicating all pipe sizes, types, and grades.
      16. A schedule of development, including the staging and phasing of:
          1. Residential areas, in order of priority, by type of dwelling unit.
          2. Streets, utilities, and other public facility improvements, in order of priority.
          3. Dedication of land to public use or set aside for common ownership with a preliminary statement indicating how maintenance of the latter will be handled.
          4. The construction of non-residential buildings, in order of priority.
      17. And such other information as may be required by the zoning administrator to determine conformance with and provide for enforcement of this ordinance and the Kentucky Revised Statutes.
3. ISSUANCE OF ZONING PERMIT: The zoning administrator shall either approve or disapprove the application (when required by this ordinance -- e.g., Development Plan submitted required -- the planning commission, or its duly authorized representative, approval or disapproval shall also be required). If disapproved, two (2) copies of the submitted plans shall be returned to the applicant marked "Disapproved" and shall indicate the reasons for such disapproval thereon. Such disapproval shall be attested by the zoning administrator's signature. The other copy, similarly marked, shall be retained by the zoning administrator.

   If approved, two (2) copies of the submitted plans shall be returned to the applicant, marked "Approved". Such approval shall be attested by the zoning administrator's signature. The other copy, similarly marked, shall be retained by the zoning administrator. The zoning administrator shall also issue a zoning permit to the applicant at this time and shall retain a duplicate copy for his records.

4. FAILURE TO COMPLY: Failure to obtain a zoning permit shall be a violation of this ordinance and punishable under SECTION 16.9 of this ordinance.
5. EXPIRATION OF ZONING PERMIT: If a building permit, as required herein, has not been obtained within ninety (90) consecutive calendar days from the date of issuance of zoning permit, said zoning permit shall expire and be canceled by the zoning administrator and a building permit shall not be obtainable until a new zoning permit has been obtained.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Building permits shall be issued in accordance with the following provisions:

1. BUILDING PERMITS REQUIRED: No public or private building or other structure shall be erected, moved, added to, or structurally altered without a permit issued by the building inspector. No building permit shall be issued except in conformity with the provisions of this ordinance, except after written orders from the board of adjustment.
2. APPLICATION FOR BUILDING PERMITS: All applications for building permits shall be accompanied by:
   1. A completed application form, provided by the building inspector.
   2. An approved zoning permit.
   3. The required fee for a building permit, as provided for in SECTION 19.0 of this ordinance.
   4. A Development Plan, if required by this ordinance: or
   5. Plans in duplicate approved by the zoning administrator and including any additional information required by the building code and/or building inspector, as may be necessary to determine conformance with, and provide for the enforcement of, the building code and the Kentucky Revised Statutes.
3. ISSUANCE OF BUILDING PERMIT: The building inspector shall either approve or disapprove the application. If disapproved, one (1) copy of the submitted plans shall be returned to the applicant marked "Disapproved" and shall indicate the reasons for such disapproval thereon. Such disapproval shall be attested by the building inspector's signature. The other copy, similarly marked, shall be retained by the building inspector.

   If approved, one (1) copy of the submitted plans shall be returned to the applicant marked "Approved". Such approval shall be attested by the building inspector's signature. The other copy, similarly marked, shall be retained by the building inspector. The building inspector shall also issue a building permit to the applicant at this time and shall retain a duplicate copy for his records.

4. COMPLIANCE: It shall be unlawful to issue a building permit, or occupancy permit, to build, create, erect, change, alter, convert, or occupy any building or structure hereafter, unless a zoning permit has been issued in compliance with this ordinance.
5. BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED PRIOR TO THE ADOPTION OF THIS ORDINANCE: Building permits issued in conformance with the building code of the legislative body prior to the date of adoption of this ordinance, whether consistent or inconsistent with this ordinance, shall be valid for a period of one hundred eighty (180) consecutive calendar days from time of issuance of the permit. If construction in connection with such a permit has not been started within such a one hundred eighty (180) consecutive calendar day period, the permit shall be void and a new permit, consistent with all provisions of this ordinance and the building code, shall be required. For purposes of this section, construction shall be deemed to have been started at the time of completion of the foundation.
6. EXPIRATION OF BUILDING PERMIT: If the work described in any building permit has not begun within ninety (90) consecutive calendar days from the date of issuance thereof, said permit shall expire and be canceled by the building inspector and no construction shall be permitted until a new building permit has been obtained. There shall be no refund of the original fee for the building permit.

   For purposes of this section, construction shall be deemed to have been started at the time of completion of the foundation. After the work described in the building permit has been started, the building permit shall expire after a period of twelve (12) months, providing that an extension may be permitted if sufficient proof can be demonstrated why the work described in the building permit was not completed.

7. CONSTRUCTION AND USE: To be as provided in applications, plans, permits, zoning permits and building permits, issued on the basis of plans and applications, approved by the zoning administrator and/or building inspector, authorize only the use, arrangement, and construction set forth in such approved plans and applications, and no other use, arrangement, or construction. Use, arrangement, or construction at variance with that authorized shall be deemed in violation of this ordinance and punishable as provided in SECTION 16.9 of this ordinance.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

It shall be unlawful for an owner to use or permit the use of any building or premises, or part thereof, hereafter created, changed, converted, or enlarged, wholly or partly, until a certificate of occupancy, which shall be a part of the building permit, shall have been issued by the building inspector. Such certificate shall show that such building or premises, or part thereof, and the proposed use thereof, are in conformity with the provisions of this ordinance. It shall be the duty of the building inspector to issue a certificate of occupancy, provided that he has checked and is satisfied that the building and the proposed use thereof, conform with all the requirements of this ordinance, the building code, and subdivision regulations.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Upon change of occupancy, the building inspector shall issue a certificate of occupancy for any building or premises existing at the time of enactment of this ordinance, certifying, after inspection, the extent and kind of use made of the building or premises, and whether such use conforms with the provisions of this ordinance.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

A certificate of occupancy shall be required of all lawful nonconforming uses of land or buildings created by this ordinance. A fee, as provided for in SECTION 19.0 of this ordinance, shall be charged for said certificate.

Applications for such certificates of occupancy for nonconforming uses of land and buildings shall be filed with the building inspector by the owner or lessee of the land or building occupied by such nonconforming uses within six (6) consecutive calendar months of the effective date of this ordinance. Failure to apply for such certificate of occupancy will place upon the owner and lessee the entire burden of proof that such use of land or buildings lawfully existed on the effective date of this ordinance.

It shall be the duty of the building inspector to issue a certificate of occupancy for lawful nonconforming uses upon application and such certificate shall identify the extent to which the nonconforming use exists at the time of issuance of such certificate.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Except as herein stated, a certificate of occupancy shall not be issued unless the proposed use of a building or land conforms to the applicable provisions of this ordinance and to plans for which the building permit was issued.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

A record of all certificates of occupancy shall be kept on file in the offices of the building inspector and copies shall be furnished, on request, to any person having a proprietary building affected by such certificate of occupancy.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Whenever a violation of this ordinance occurs, or is alleged to have occurred, any person may file a written complaint. Such complaint, stating fully the causes and bases thereof, shall be filed with the zoning administrator. The zoning administrator shall record properly such complaint, immediately investigate, and take action thereon, as provided by this ordinance and the Kentucky Revised Statutes.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

Any person or entity who violates any of the provisions of this ordinance, shall upon conviction be fined not less than ten (10) but no more than five hundred (500) dollars for each conviction. Each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

It is the intent of this ordinance that:

1. Where investigation can be made by the zoning administrator, or other designated employee, using equipment normally available to the legislative body, such investigation shall be so made before notice of violation is issued.
2. Where technical complexity, nonavailability of equipment, or extraordinary expense makes it unreasonable, in the opinion of the zoning administrator, for the legislative body to maintain the personnel or equipment necessary for making difficult or unusual determinations, procedures shall be established for:
   1. Causing corrections in apparent violations of performance standards;
   2. For protecting individuals from arbitrary, capricious and unreasonable administration and enforcement of performance standard regulations; and
   3. For protecting the general public from unnecessary costs for administration and enforcement.
3. If the zoning administrator finds, after investigations have been made by qualified experts, that there is a violation of the performance standards, he shall take, or cause to be taken, lawful action to cause correction to, within limits set by such performance standards.

Effective on: 1/1/1901

If, in the judgment of the zoning administrator, there is probable violation of the performance standards as set forth, the following procedures shall be followed:

1. The zoning administrator shall give written notice, by registered mail or certified mail, to the person or persons responsible for the alleged violation. The notice shall describe the particulars of the alleged violation and the reasons why the zoning administrator believes there is a violation in fact, and shall require an answer or correction of the alleged violation, to the satisfaction of the zoning administrator, within thirty (30) consecutive calendar days of receipt of such notification. The notice shall state that failure to reply or to correct the alleged violation, to the satisfaction of the zoning administrator within thirty (30) consecutive calendar days of receipt of said notice, constitutes admission of violation of the terms of this ordinance.
2. The notice shall further state that, upon request of those to whom said notice is directed, a technical investigation will be made by a qualified expert or experts and that, if violations as alleged are found, costs of such investigations shall be charged against those responsible for the violations, in addition to such other penalties as may be appropriate, but that if it is determined that no violation exists, the cost of the investigation will be paid by the city.
3. If there is no reply within thirty (30) consecutive calendar days of receipt of said notice, but the alleged violation is corrected to the satisfaction of the zoning administrator, he shall note "violation corrected" on his copy of the notice, and shall retain it among his official records, taking such other action as may be warranted.
4. If there is no reply within thirty (30) consecutive calendar days of receipt of said notice and the alleged violation is not corrected to the satisfaction of the zoning administrator within the established time limit, he shall proceed to take, or cause to be taken, such action as is warranted by continuation of a violation after notice to cease.
5. If a reply is received within thirty (30) consecutive calendar days of receipt of said notice indicating that the alleged violation will be corrected to the satisfaction of the zoning administrator, but requesting additional time, the zoning administrator may grant an extension if he deems it warranted in the circumstances of the case and if the extension will not, in his opinion, cause imminent peril to life, health, or property.
6. If a reply is received within thirty (30) consecutive calendar days of receipt of said notice requesting technical determination as provided in this ordinance, and if the alleged violations continue, the zoning administrator shall call in properly qualified experts to investigate and determine whether violations exist.

   If expert findings indicate violations of the performance standards, the costs of the investigations shall be assessed against the properties or persons responsible for the violations, in addition to such other penalties as may be appropriate under the terms of SECTION 16.9 of this ordinance.

   If no violation is found, the cost of the investigation shall be paid by the legislative body without assessment against the properties or persons involved.

Effective on: 1/1/1901