Except as otherwise provided, no structure or land shall, after the effective date of this ordinance, be used and no structure or part thereof shall be erected, altered or moved unless in conformity with the regulations herein specified for the district in which it is located. In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this ordinance shall be considered minimum requirements adopted for the promotion of the public health, safety, morals, convenience, order, prosperity, and general welfare of the community.

The provisions of this ordinance shall be administered and enforced by the director. This official or his designees shall have the right to enter upon any premises for the purpose of making inspections of buildings or premises necessary to carry out his duties in the enforcement of this ordinance. In addition, he shall issue all building permits and make and maintain records thereof, and conduct inspection as prescribed by this ordinance and other such inspections as are necessary to ensure compliance with this ordinance.

It shall be unlawful to commence the excavation for or the construction of any building or structure, including accessory structures, or to commence the moving, alteration, or repair of any structure, including accessory structures, until the director has issued for such work a building permit containing a statement that the plans, specifications and intended use of such structure in all respects conform with the provisions of this ordinance. For the purpose of this section repair shall be deemed to mean any repair that alters the existing structure. If said repair does not alter the existing structure no building permit will be required. The building permit required is to be administered according to guidelines stated in the State Minimum Standard Building Codes.

Application for a building permit shall be made in writing to the director on forms provided for that purpose. It shall be unlawful for the director to approve the plans or issue a building permit for any excavation or construction until he has inspected such plans in detail and found them to be in conformity with this ordinance. To this end, the director shall require that every application for a building permit for excavation, construction, moving, or alteration shall be accompanied by a plan or plat drawn to scale and showing the following in sufficient detail to enable the director to ascertain whether the proposed excavation, construction, moving, or alteration is in conformance with this ordinance:

a.

The actual shape, location, and dimensions of the lot to be built upon.

b.

The shape, height, use and location on the lot of buildings or structures to be erected or altered.

c.

The sizes, locations, and use of all existing buildings or structures on the lot.

d.

The number of dwelling units the building, if residential, is designed to accommodate.

e.

The setback lines of buildings on adjoining lots.

f.

The lay-out of off-street parking and unloading spaces.

g.

Signature of the county health officer approving the proposed location of the septic tank, and field lines provided public sewerage is not available.

h.

Such other information concerning the lot or adjoining lots as may be essential for determining whether the provisions of this ordinance are being observed.

If the proposed excavation, construction, moving or alteration as set forth in the application for a building permit is in conformity with the provisions of this ordinance, the director shall issue a building permit for such excavation, construction, moving, or alteration. The issuance of a permit shall, in no case, be construed as waiving any provision of this ordinance, and building permits shall be void after six (6) months from date of issue unless substantial progress on the project has been made by that time.

The director shall not issue a building permit for a conditional use until such conditional use is approved by the board of zoning appeals.

No land or building or other structure or part thereof hereafter erected, moved, or altered in its use shall be occupied or used until the director has issued a certificate of occupancy. A certificate of occupancy shall be issued only if the building or premises is found to conform with the provisions of this ordinance. If the certificate of occupancy is not granted upon request, the director shall state in writing the reasons the certificate was not granted.

If the application for a building permit is not approved, the director shall state in writing on the application the cause for such disapproval and shall notify the applicant immediately of the reasons for disapproval. Thereafter, the applicant may reapply for a building permit provided he overcomes, to the satisfaction of the director, the causes for the previous disapproval; or he may institute appeal proceedings or request a rezoning.