An administrative official designated by the mayor shall administer and enforce this ordinance. He may be provided with the assistance of such other persons as the mayor may direct. If the administrative official shall find that any of the provisions of this ordinance are being violated he shall notify in writing the persons responsible for such violations, indicating the nature of the violation and ordering the action necessary to correct it. He shall order discontinuance of illegal use of land, buildings, or structures; removal of illegal buildings or structures or of additions, alterations, or structural change thereto; discontinuance of any illegal work being done; or shall take other action authorized by law to ensure compliance with or to prevent violation of its provisions.

(Ord. No. 1846, 6-25-1985)

It is the intent of this ordinance that all questions of interpretation and enforcement shall be first presented to the administrative official and that such questions shall be presented to the board of adjustment only on appeal from the decision of the administrative official and that recourse from the decision of the board of adjustment shall be to the courts as provided by law.

3.201
Enforcing officer and building permit districts. For the purpose of administering and enforcing this ordinance there is hereby created a department of permits. The chief of this department, who shall be appointed by the mayor, shall be charged with the responsibility of administering and enforcing the provisions of this ordinance.

(Ord. No. 1846, 6-25-1985)

Building permits required: No building or other structure shall be erected, moved, added to, or structurally altered without a permit therefor, issued by the administrative official. Nor shall any manmade change begin on improved or unimproved real estate including, but not limited to, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving excavations or drilling operations, without a permit therefor, issued by the administrative official. No building permit shall be issued except in conformity with the provisions of this ordinance except after written order from the board of adjustments.

3.301
Application for building permits: All applications for building permits shall be accompanied by plans in duplicate, drawn to a scale of not less than one-eighth inch to one foot, showing the actual dimensions and shape of the lot to be built upon; the exact size and location of the buildings already existing, if any; and for the location and dimensions of the proposed building or alteration. The application shall include such other information as lawfully may be required by the administrative official including existing or proposed building or alteration; existing rental units the building is designated to accommodate; conditions existing on the lot; and such other matters as may be necessary to determine conformance with and provide for enforcement of this ordinance.

One copy of the plans shall be returned to the applicant by the administrative official after he shall have marked such copy either as approved or disapproved and attested to same by his signature on such copy. The second copy of the plans, similarly marked, shall be retained by the administrative official.

3.302
Certificates of occupancy for new, altered, or nonconforming uses: It shall be unlawful to install permanent utilities in or to use or occupy or permit the use or occupancy of any part of any building or premises hereafter erected, created, changed, converted, or wholly or partly altered or enlarged in its use or structure until a certificate of occupancy shall have been issued therefor by the administrative official stating that the proposed use of this building or land conforms to the requirements of this ordinance.

No permit for erection, alteration, moving, or repair of any building shall be issued until an application has been made for a certificate of occupancy and the certificate shall be issued in conformity with the provisions of this ordinance upon completion of the work.

A temporary certificate of occupancy shall be issued for a period not exceeding six months, only in the case of an addition to an existing single-family residence. Then, and only then, may a temporary certificate be issued to allow occupancy while work is in progress, provided that all necessary precautions have, in the opinion of the building official, been taken to ensure safety to the occupants.

The administrative official shall maintain a record of all certificates of occupancy, and copies shall be furnished upon the request to any person.

Failure to obtain a certificate of occupancy shall be a violation of this ordinance and punishable under section 3.4, violations.

3.303
Expiration of building permits; special building permits: If the work described in any building permit has not begun within 90 days from the date of issuance thereof, said permit shall expire and be cancelled by the administrative official, and written notice thereof shall be given to the persons affected.

If the work described in any building permit has not been substantially completed within one year of the date of issuance thereof, said permit shall expire and be cancelled by the administrative official, and written notice thereof shall be given to the persons affected, together with notice that further work as described in the cancelled permit shall not proceed unless and until a special building permit has been obtained.

(Ord. No. 868, 12-14-1971; Ord. No. 1060, 2-28-1978; Ord. No. 1162, 4-24-1979)

3.401
Complaints regarding violations: Whenever a violation of this ordinance occurs or is alleged to have occurred, any persons may file a written complaint. Such complaint stating fully the causes and basis thereof shall be filed with the administrative official. He shall record properly such complaint, immediately investigate, and take action thereon as provided by this ordinance.

3.402
Penalties for violations: Violations of the provisions of this ordinance or failure to comply with any of its requirements shall constitute a misdemeanor. Any persons who violate this ordinance or fail to comply with any of its requirements shall upon conviction thereof be fined not less than $50.00, nor more than $500.00, or imprisoned for not more than 60 days, or both, and, in addition, shall pay all costs and expenses involved in the case. Each day such violation continues shall be considered a separate offense.

The owner or tenant of any building, structure, premises, or part thereof, any architect, builder, contractor, agent, or other person who commits, participates in, assists in, or maintains such violation may each be found guilty of a separate offense and suffer the penalties herein provided.

Nothing herein contained shall prevent the city from taking such other lawful action as is necessary to prevent or remedy any violation.

When a person has deliberately commenced a project without a permit and it is a second violation of this ordinance by the offender, then the building official shall increase the building permit fee by 100 percent.

(Ord. No. 1760, 9-25-1984; Ord. No. 1846, 6-25-1985)

No permit for any construction or development in any flood hazard area shall be issued until a development permit, as defined and regulated in chapter [15], article II of the Code of Ordinances, City of Slidell, Louisiana, has been issued by the administrator.

(Ord. No. 927, § 3, 11-6-1973; Ord. No. 1060, 2-28-1978; Ord. No. 1306, Art. VI, §§ A, C, 10-14-1980)