Building permits required. No building or other structure shall be erected, moved or enlarged in area (including gross floor area) or volume without a permit issued by the Code Enforcement Officer. No building permit shall be issued except in conformity with the provisions of this chapter, a valid plan approved by the appropriate reviewing authority as determined by the Reviewing Authority Chart, or except after written order from the Zoning Board of Appeals. A building permit shall not be required for normal maintenance activities and alterations not requiring structural changes.

Permit application. When the floor area of a building(s) on a lot is proposed to be constructed or increased, the application for a building permit by an owner or his authorized agent shall be accompanied by plans, drawn to scale, showing the actual dimensions and shape of the lot to be built upon; the exact sizes and locations on the lot of buildings already existing, if any; and the location and dimensions of the proposed building or alteration. If a proposed building or a building being expanded contains plumbing, the proposed sewage disposal system as designed by a licensed site evaluator or as permitted by the Wells Sanitary District shall be required as part of the permit application. The application shall include the existing and proposed uses of buildings and structures and such other information as lawfully may be required by the Code Enforcement Officer to determine conformance with and provide for the enforcement of this chapter.

Approval or denial of permit.

Building permit card. Upon issuance of the permit, a building permit card shall be issued. This card shall be displayed on the subject lot within 24 hours of the issuance of the building permit and within 50 feet of the lot line abutting the street right-of-way. The card shall be posted in a manner clearly visible from the street and shall remain until construction is completed. Construction performed without display of this card will automatically revoke the permit.

Start and completion of construction. If the work authorized by the building permit is not substantially started within 24 months nor substantially completed within 36 months of the issuance of the permit, the permit shall lapse and be void. A permit shall remain in effect even if the proposed activity authorized by the permit is made nonconforming by an amendment to this chapter during the permit period unless the amendment explicitly states otherwise. The Code Enforcement Officer may extend a permit (not to exceed 12 months) if the proposed work is permitted by this chapter at the time the extension is requested. Any such extension shall be requested in writing before the expiration of the original permit and shall be granted in written form by the Code Enforcement Officer.

The Code Enforcement Officer shall maintain a permanent public record of all building permit applications.

It shall be unlawful to use or occupy or permit the use or occupancy of any building or premises, or both, or part thereof hereafter created, erected, changed, converted or wholly or partially altered or enlarged in its use until a certificate of occupancy is issued by the Code Enforcement Officer. No certificate of occupancy shall be issued unless the proposed use of the building(s) or land conforms to the requirements of this chapter and/or to an approved site plan, if required for the proposed use.

A temporary certificate of occupancy may be issued by the Code Enforcement Officer for six months during construction or alteration for partial occupancy of a building or lot pending the completion of construction or development, provided that the temporary certificate of occupancy may require conditions and safeguards to ensure the safety of the occupants and the public and that the applicant remains in compliance with the terms of the building permit or approved site plan.

The Code Enforcement Officer shall maintain a permanent public record of all certificates of occupancy.

Failure to obtain a required certificate of occupancy shall be a violation of this chapter.

Upon completion of construction, the applicant, or his/her authorized agent, must arrange for a final inspection to ensure that all construction is consistent with the approved building permit. Noncompliance with the approved building permit or with other local, state or federal regulations may be reason for not granting a certificate of occupancy.

When a violation of any provision of this chapter shall be found, the Code Enforcement Officer shall send a written notice of the violation to the responsible party or parties and shall also notify the Board of Selectmen of the violation.

If the notice does not result in the correction of the violation, the Board of Selectmen is directed to institute any and all actions and proceedings, either legal or equitable, including seeking injunctions of violations and the imposition of civil penalties, that may be appropriate or necessary to enforce the provisions of this chapter in the name of the municipality. The Board of Selectmen, or its authorized agent, is authorized to enter into administrative consent orders to eliminate violations and to collect civil penalties without court action. Such agreements shall not allow an illegal structure or use to continue unless there is no evidence that the owner knowingly violated the provisions of this chapter.