16.1.

Enforcing officer. The provisions of this ordinance shall be administered and enforced by the building official. This official shall have the right to enter upon any premises at any reasonable time prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the purpose of making inspections of buildings or premises necessary in carrying out his duties in the enforcement of this ordinance.

16.2.

Building permit required. It shall be unlawful to commence the construction of any building or other structure, including accessory structures, or to permanently store building materials, or erect temporary field offices, or to commence the moving, alteration, or repair (except necessary repairs, not affecting the external or party walls, chimneys, stairways or heights of the buildings) of any structure including accessory structures, until the building official has issued a permit including a statement that the plans, specifications and intended use of such structure in all respects conform with the provisions of this ordinance. Application for a building permit shall be made to the building official on forms provided for that purpose.

16.3.

Approval of plans and issuance of building permit. It shall be unlawful for the building official to approve any plans or issue a building permit for construction until he has inspected such plans in detail and found them in conformity with this ordinance. To this end, the building official shall require that every application for a building permit for construction, moving or alteration, except interior alterations, be accompanied by a plan or plat showing the following in sufficient detail to enable the building official to ascertain whether the proposed construction, moving or alteration is in conformance with this ordinance, and applicable building codes.

1.

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

2.

The shape, size, and location of all buildings or other structures to be erected, altered or moved and any building or other structures already on the lot.

3.

The existing and intended use of all such buildings or other structures.

4.

The setback and side lines of buildings on adjoining lots and such other information concerning the lot or adjoining lots as may be essential for determining whether the provisions of this ordinance are being observed.

5.

Must have a certificate from the health department that the property will conform to all health standards.

If the proposed construction, moving or alteration as set forth in the application, are in conformity with the provisions of this ordinance and other related laws and ordinances, the building official shall issue a building permit accordingly. If an application for a building permit is not approved, the building official shall state in writing on the application the cause of such disapproval. Issuance of a building permit shall, in no case, be construed as waivering any provision of this ordinance.

16.4.

Expiration of building permit. If the work described in any building permit has not begun within six months from the date of issuance thereof, said permit shall expire.

16.5.

Certificate of occupancy required for habitable buildings. No land or building or other structure or part thereof hereafter erected, moved or altered in its use shall be used until the building official has issued a certificate of occupancy stating that such land or structure or part thereof is found to be in conformity with the provisions of this ordinance.

Within three days after the owner or his agent has notified the building official that a building or premises or part thereof is ready for occupancy or use, it shall be the duty of the building official to make a final inspection thereof, and to issue a certificate of occupancy if the building or premises or part thereof is found to conform with the provisions of this ordinance, or if such certificate is refused, to state the refusal in writing with the cause.

16.6.

Penalties for violation of zoning ordinance. Any person, firm, or corporation who violates any provision of the zoning ordinance of Talbot County, Georgia shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction in the magistrate court of this county, shall be fined an amount not to exceed $500.00 or imprisoned up to 60 days or both for each violation. Each day such violation continues shall constitute a separate offense and shall subject such person, firm, or corporation to a fine or incarceration specified by this section for each such offense.

Ordinance violations may be tried in the magistrate court in Talbot County, Georgia, upon citation issued by the building official or his designated agent.

Each citation shall state the time and place at which the accused violator is to appear for trial, shall identify the violation with which the accused is charged, shall have an identifying number by which it shall be filed with the court, shall indicate the identity of the accused and the date of service, and shall be signed by the building official or his designated agent who shall complete and serve the citation.

Prosecutions for violations of this ordinance in accordance with this section shall be commenced by the completion, signing and service of the citation by the building official or his designated agent either of whom is authorized by this ordinance to issue citations. A citation shall be personally served upon the accused, and the original shall be promptly filed with the magistrate court.

No person shall be arrested prior to the time of trial for violations under this section, but any person who fails to appear at trial may be arrested thereafter on a warrant of the magistrate and required to post a bond for his future appearance.

16.7.

Remedies. In case any building or other structure is erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered, repaired, converted, or maintained, or any building, structure or land is used in violation of this ordinance, the building official or any other appropriate authority or any adjacent or neighboring property owner who would be specifically damaged by such violation, in addition to other remedies, may institute injunction, mandamus, or other appropriate action or proceeding to prevent such unlawful erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, conversion, maintenance or use, to correct or abate such violation or to prevent occupancy of such building, structure or land.