Except as provided in section 5-4-85, a zoning permit issued by the Zoning Administrator is required in advance of:

(1)

The issuance of a building permit;

(2)

Excavation prior to the construction of a structure for which a building permit is required;

(3)

Improving any property by grading, filling, excavating, or surfacing or by constructing driveways or by constructing or enlarging parking areas containing more than six (6) parking spaces in preparation for a new or changed use of the lot;

(4)

Changing the use of any part of a structure or lot, including any increase in the number of families or dwelling units occupying a building or zoning lot; and/or

(5)

Installation of a sign requiring a sign permit.

(Code 1994, § 5-4-81)

Each application for a zoning permit shall be filed with the Building Official on a form furnished by him, which form may contain an application for a certificate of occupancy and may be combined with the application for the building permit required under the building code. The application shall be signed by the owner or his duly authorized agent.

(Code 1994, § 5-4-82)

(a)

In addition to such information as may be required in an application for a building permit under the building code, each application for a zoning permit shall be accompanied by a plan in duplicate, drawn to scale, superimposed on a plat or scaled plat of the lot/parcel or tract as approved by the Building Official showing:

(1)

The shape and dimensions of the lot;

(2)

The size and location of all existing structures;

(3)

The lines within which any proposed structures shall be erected, altered, or moved; the locations of any officially approved building setback lines;

(4)

The height of each proposed structure or any part thereof;

(5)

The existing and proposed use of each structure and part thereof;

(6)

The use of adjoining properties;

(7)

The number of families or dwelling units in each existing building and the number that each proposed building is intended to accommodate;

(8)

The size and location of all proposed driveways, off-street loading areas, and off-street parking areas containing more than six (6) parking spaces, if the zoning lot is in or contiguous to a residential district; and

(9)

Such other reasonable and pertinent information with regard to the zoning lot or neighboring lots as the Building Official may find necessary for the enforcement of this chapter.

(b)

Each application for a zoning permit for a new structure, an addition to an existing structure, and/or the moving of a structure onto or within a zoning lot shall be accompanied by a plat of the lot in duplicate, drawn to scale, showing the lot's exact location, shape, and dimensions; if the lot does not consist solely of one (1) or more entire lots in an approved recorded plat, the application plat shall be based on a new, approved survey of the lot.

(c)

All plats and plans shall bear the signature of the owner or his duly authorized agent and shall reference, directly or separately, the date and application number for plat approval in addition to the recorded book, page and date in the County RMC Office. One (1) copy of each plat and plan shall be retained by the Building Official as a public record.

(Code 1994, § 5-4-83)

(a)

When the Zoning Administrator receives an application for a zoning permit whose proposed improvement and use described and illustrated conforms to all requirements of this chapter, he shall issue a zoning permit and return a signed copy of the application, including the plan, to the applicant within ten (10) days of receipt of the application.

(b)

When the Zoning Administrator receives an application for a zoning permit whose proposed improvement and use described and illustrated does not conform to this chapter, he shall not issue a zoning permit, but shall within ten (10) days of receipt of the application return the application, including the plan, to the applicant with his denial of the permit. The denial shall state the reasons therefor, and shall cite the particular sections of this chapter with which the application does not comply.

(c)

When the application for a zoning permit includes a request for a variance or is an appeal from an administrative decision, the Zoning Administrator shall, within ten (10) days of receipt, deliver such application together with all supporting information to the Board of Zoning Appeals for hearing. Upon receipt of a written order from the Board after hearing, the Zoning Administrator shall comply with any ordered action within five (5) days of receipt of the order.

(Code 1994, § 5-4-84)

(a)

After a zoning permit is issued for construction requiring a building permit, the Building Official shall issue a building permit when the requirements of the building code have been met.

(b)

After a zoning permit is issued for a use or construction not requiring a building permit, the applicant may proceed to carry out the improvement described in the zoning permit and approved.

(c)

Any zoning permit issued for construction requiring a building permit shall become invalid if a building permit is not issued within six (6) months after the issuance of the zoning permit. Any zoning permit issued for a use or construction not requiring a building permit shall become invalid if the development authorized by it is not commenced within six (6) months of its issuance of if the work or development authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of one (1) year after the work or development is commenced; provided that extensions of time for successive periods of ninety (90) days each shall be allowed in writing by the Building Official if timely applied for. No more than six (6) such ninety (90) day extensions shall be allowed.

(Code 1994, § 5-4-85)