15-1.1. Enforcing officer. The provisions of this ordinance shall be administered and enforced by the building inspector of the City of Sylvania or his delegated representative who is hereby given the authority to perform these functions. His duties shall include receiving applications, inspecting premises and issuing building permits and certificates of occupancy for uses and structures that meet the requirements of this ordinance.

It shall be unlawful to commence the excavation or filling of any lot for the construction of any building or to commence construction of any building or to commence the moving or alteration of any building or to commence the development of land for a use not requiring a building permit until the building inspector has issued a building permit for such work.

15-2.1. Application for building permit.

(a)

Application to the building inspector for a building permit shall be made in writing on [a] form provided for the purpose. The application must be accompanied by a plan or plat drawn to scale showing the following items in sufficient detail to enable the building inspector to ascertain whether the proposed excavation, construction, moving or alteration is in conformance with this ordinance:

(1)

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

(2)

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

(3)

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

(4)

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

(5)

The setback lines of buildings on adjoining lots.

(6)

The layout of off-street parking spaces.

(7)

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

(b)

If the proposed excavation, filling, construction, moving or alteration as [is] set forth in conformity with the provisions of this ordinance and other ordinances of the City of Sylvania then in force, the building inspector shall issue a building permit. If a building permit is not approved, the building inspector shall state such refusal in writing [and] the cause for disapproval.

(c)

The building permit shall contain at least the following information:

(1)

The name and address of the applicant.

(2)

The block or street number of the lot to which the permit applies.

(3)

The zoning district in which the property is located.

(4)

Whether the permit authorizes excavation, filling, construction, moving or alteration and the type of structure being built.

(5)

The date of the application.

(6)

The signatures of the applicant, the building inspector and the public works director.

(7)

Grading, drainage and erosion control plan.

(d)

Before commencing excavation, filling, construction, moving or alteration, the building permit, or copy thereof, shall be placed in a conspicuous location on or near the front of the property for the duration of the excavation, filling, construction, moving or alteration and in such a manner that it is protected from the weather.

15-2.2. Application for a special use exception. In addition to information required by section 8-3015-2.1, all applications for a special use exception shall contain the following information:

(a)

The actual dimensions of the lot built upon or to be built upon.

(b)

The size and location of the building or buildings to be constructed.

(c)

The size and location of any proposed extension.

(d)

The names of all streets upon which the property is located.

(e)

The zoning districts in which the property is located.

(f)

Such other information as may be necessary to provide for enforcement of this resolution or upon which to base an inspection prior to passing on the application as required by the building inspector.

15-2.3. Construction progress. Any building permit shall become invalid unless the work authorized by said permit has been commenced within six months of the date of issue of the permit, or if the work authorized by said permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of one year or more.

15-3.1. [When required.] A certificate of occupancy issued by the building inspector is required in advance of occupancy or use of:

(a)

Any building, structure, land or premises.

(b)

Any building or structure hereinafter erected or moved.

(c)

Any building hereinafter altered, so as to affect the front, side or rear yards thereof, or its height.

(d)

Any building, structure or premises in which there is a change in the type of occupancy or use.

15-3.2. Application for certificate of occupancy. Within three days after the application for a certificate of occupancy is received on the form provided for the purpose, the building inspector shall sign and issue a certificate of occupancy if the building, structure or land is found to conform to the applicable provisions of this ordinance and other ordinances of the City of Sylvania, then in force, and complies with the plans submitted for the building permit.

15-3.3. Denial of certificate of occupancy. A certificate of occupancy shall not be issued unless the proposed use of the building, structure or land is found to conform to the applicable provisions of this ordinance and other ordinances of the City of Sylvania, then in force, and complies with the plans submitted for the building permit. The building inspector shall state in writing the reasons for denying such certificates of occupancy.

Records of applications for building permits, building permit approvals and denials, records of plats and plans in connection with said permits, records of applications for certificates of occupancy and certificate of occupancy approvals and denials shall be kept on file in the office of the building inspector and shall be furnished upon request to any person interested in the building, structure or land involved.

The violation of any provision of this ordinance shall constitute a misdemeanor, and any person, firm, corporation or agent who shall in any manner violate any provision of this ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished in the discretion of the court. Each day such violation of this ordinance shall continue shall be deemed as a separate offense.

If any building or structure is or is proposed to be erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered, converted or maintained, or any building, structure or land is or is proposed to be used in violation of this ordinance, the building inspector or any other appropriate official of the City of Sylvania or any adjacent or neighboring property owner or resident of the City of Sylvania who would be damaged by such violation may, in addition to other remedies, under authority of this section and under authority of applicable sections of the Georgia Code Annotated, institute legal action for injunction, mandamus, or take other appropriate action or proceeding to prevent such unlawful erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, conversion, maintenance or use; or to correct or abate the violation, or to prevent the occupancy of the building, structure or land.