Good Thunder City Zoning Code

ZONING PERMITS

§ 154.070 APPLICATION.

Except as provided, no person, firm or corporation shall construct, erect, alter, wreck or move any building or structure or any parts within the corporate limits of the city without first securing a zoning permit from the city. A zoning permit certifies that the proposed construction is in compliance with this chapter. Application for the zoning permit shall be made to the city’s Clerk-Treasurer or Zoning Administrator.

(2001 Code, § 11.18)

§ 154.071 ISSUING OF PERMITS.

(A) A zoning permit must be issued by the city prior to any construction activity. The city will collect the fee for the zoning permit application according to the following schedule. At no time, nor under any circumstances, will a zoning permit be issued until the appropriate fee has been paid by the applicant and the application has been approved by the Planning Commission or the City Council. Zoning permits shall expire one year from the date of which the zoning permit was approved.

(B) Below is the process to which individuals must adhere when applying for a zoning permit.

(1) Individual(s) requesting the permit must contact the office of the city’s Clerk-Treasurer, or contact the Zoning Administrator, to secure a zoning permit application form.

(2) The application form must be completed in its entirety and the appropriate fee must be paid to the city’s Clerk-Treasurer prior to the permit request being placed on the Planning Commission agenda. A site plan drawn to scale showing all dimensions must accompany the completed application.

(3) Upon its submittal to the Zoning Administrator, the application will be reviewed with the applicant. If the property is properly zoned, the application will be placed on the agenda of the Planning Commission for action at its meeting. If the existing use of the property is not a permitted use, but rather a conditional use, one which would require a variance or amendment to Ch. 154 of this code of ordinances, the Zoning Administrator will take the following action(s):

(a) Determine which special request is required to be taken to the Planning Commission;

(b) Inform the applicant as to the process of the request; and

(c) Based on the applicant’s decision, the city’s Clerk-Treasurer will collect the appropriate special fee from the applicant and follow the procedures outlined in Ch. 154 of this code of ordinances.

1. Sections 154.035 through 154.040 for conditional use permits;

2. Sections 154.055 through 154.058 for variance requests; and

3. Sections 154.090 through 154.094 for amendments (rezoning).

(4) All zoning permit/special application fee(s) must be paid in advance in order to be placed on the agenda. Once the application is placed on the Planning Commission agenda, the Planning Commission will act and the Zoning Administrator will issue the permit. In the event of special requests, both the Planning Commission and the City Council must act on the application before the permit is issued by the Zoning Administrator.

(5) If an amendment to the site plan is desired, the applicant must submit an amended site plan to the Zoning Administrator prior to commencing with construction. Under no circumstances will a change in site plan be approved unless an amended site plan is submitted to and approved by the Planning Commission.

(6) During construction activity, the permit should be displayed in a conspicuous place at the construction site, in plain view and accessible to the Zoning Administrator.

(2001 Code, § 11.18)

§ 154.072 SCHEDULE OF FEES, CHARGES AND EXPENSES.

(A) Fees, charges and expenses for zoning permits, conditional use permits, variances and amendments shall be set annually by the City Council.

(B) (1) The City Council shall establish a schedule of fees, charges and expenses, and a collection procedure, for zoning permits, appeals and other matters pertaining to this chapter. The schedule of fees shall be posted in the office of the City Clerk-Treasurer.

(2) No zoning permit, conditional use permit or variance shall be issued unless or until the costs, charges, fees or expenses have been paid in full, nor shall any action be taken on proceedings before the Council unless or until preliminary charges and fees have been paid in full.

(2001 Code, § 11.18)

§ 154.073 IMPROVEMENTS REQUIRING A ZONING PERMIT.

(A) General provisions. A zoning permit is required for any new residential, commercial and/or industrial construction as well as any improvement which will enlarge the physical exterior of the existing structure.

(B) Masonry.

(1) Chimney: replace; permit is required if chimney is to be replaced in its entirety;

(2) Chimney: new;

(3) Concrete steps: repair; permit is required only if 50% or more of structure is to be repaired;

(4) Concrete steps: replace;

(5) Concrete steps: precast;

(6) Driveway: new asphalt blacktop; drainage plan is required as well;

(7) Driveway: new concrete; drainage plan is required as well;

(8) Foundation: install;

(9) Foundation: tile;

(10) Foundation: water-proofing; permit is required if waterproofing entails the replacement of drainage tile and/or exterior waterproof painting;

(11) Service walk: repair; permit is required only if 50% or more of structure is being repaired; and

(12) Service walk: replace.

(1) Porch, patio or deck: permit is required if 50% or more of the structure is repaired or replaced;

(2) Stairs: exterior; permit is required if 50% or more of structure is repaired or replaced; and

(3) Stairs: exterior basement; permit is required if the stairs are new (i.e., not replacement).

(D) Plumbing. Sump pit and pump: for installation only; repair is not included.

(E) Specialty work.

(1) Demolition: permit required at no charge;

(2) Fences: permits are required to erect any fence in all districts within the city. (See lot survey requirements, § 154.160 of this chapter.) This includes fences used for dog kennels;

(3) Utility shed: permits are required for assembly or moving onto lot; and

(4) Utility shed: permit required for removal at no charge.

(F) Site work.

(1) Excavation; and

(2) Changing grades.

(2001 Code, § 11.18)

§ 154.074 REQUIRED INSPECTIONS.

(A) If any building deemed for public occupancy (i.e., school, church, commercial property) is constructed or renovated, the property owner must have any plumbing, heating, ventilation and electrical work, which was part of the construction/renovation process, inspected. A form bearing the inspector’s signature approving the work must be placed on file with the City Clerk-Treasurer.

(B) Any public building, as defined by state statutes, constructed or remodeled in the city must comply with the State Building Code requirements for handicapped persons. If the building is constructed or remodeled within the corporate limits, the city shall contract with a certified building inspector to enforce this provision of the state’s Building Code. A form bearing the inspector’s signature approving the work must be placed on file with the City Clerk-Treasurer.

(2001 Code, § 11.18)

§ 154.075 COMPLAINTS REGARDING VIOLATIONS.

Whenever a violation of this city code occurs, or is alleged to have occurred, any person may file a written complaint. The complaint stating fully the causes and basis shall be filed with the city’s Clerk-Treasurer. The city’s Clerk-Treasurer shall record properly the complaint and forward it to the Zoning Administrator for immediate investigation and action as provided by this chapter.