The planning commission shall designate and appoint one or more enforcement officers or zoning administrators who may be members of the commission, who shall be charged with and provided with the authority to enforce the ordinances, regulations, and orders of the planning commission and to issue zoning permits and certificates of occupancy. The enforcement officers, in the performance of their duties and functions, may enter upon any land and make examination and surveys that do not occasion damage or injury to private property.

3.21

Required Prior to Construction or Alteration

It shall be unlawful to commence construction or alteration of any structure until the enforcement officer has issued a zoning permit authorizing such work, except as specified elsewhere in this Zoning Order. The planning commission may establish a schedule of reasonable fees to be charged for the issuance of zoning permits, which schedule must be approved by the city and county legislative bodies. An accounting procedure shall be established by the planning commission and an annual report of all such fees received by the planning commission shall be submitted.

3.22

Exceptions

No zoning permit or certificate of occupancy shall be required in the following cases:

A.

Recurring maintenance work regardless of cost.

B.

Construction or alteration of agricultural structures which conform with all setback requirements with respect to existing and proposed streets and highways.

C.

Installation of required improvements according to an approved preliminary subdivision plat or planned development plat.

D.

Those structures and uses specifically exempted by the terms of this order.

3.23

Procedure

A.

Application: In applying to the enforcement officer for a zoning permit, the applicant shall provide the enforcement officer with information indicating the dimensions of the lot to be built upon, the outside dimensions of all structures to be constructed or altered and all existing structures, the use of all structures, yard depths, and any other information necessary for determining conformance with the Zoning Order. The County Health Officer's certificate approving proposed water and sewage facilities must accompany applications whenever such certificate is required by the terms of this Zoning Order or such a requirement is established by the Planning Commission. Other application requirements and procedures may also be established by the Planning Commission.

B.

Permanent file: The enforcement officer shall keep a permanent file of all applications with accompanying plans and all permits issued.

C.

Issuance: If the proposed construction or alteration conforms with all applicable provisions of the Zoning Order and all other applicable orders, regulations, and codes, the enforcement officer shall issue a zoning permit authorizing such construction or alteration. If the proposed construction or alteration fails to conform, the enforcement officer shall refuse to issue a zoning permit and shall deliver written notice to the applicant stating the reasons for the refusal. The enforcement officer shall act upon applications for zoning permits within one week from the date of their submission.

D.

Validity: The issuance of a zoning permit by the enforcement officer shall not waive any provision of the Zoning Order.

E.

Duration: A zoning permit shall become void six months from the date of issuance unless substantial progress has been made by that date on the construction or alteration authorized therein. A zoning permit may be reviewed without fee upon review by the enforcement officer before it becomes void.

3.31

Required Prior to Occupancy, Change of Use, and Under Other Conditions

It shall be unlawful to use any newly erected or altered structure or to change the use of any premises even though no structure was erected or altered until the enforcement officer has issued a certificate of occupancy authorizing such use except as specified elsewhere in this Zoning Order. The Planning Commission may establish a schedule of reasonable fees to be charged for the issuance of certificates of occupancy.

3.32

Procedure

A.

Application: In applying to the enforcement officer for a certificate of occupancy, the applicant shall notify the enforcement officer in writing of the date on which the use of any new or altered structures or the new use of any premises will be ready to commence. The County Health Officer's certificate must accompany applications according to the requirements of this Zoning Order.

B.

Permanent File: The enforcement officer shall keep a permanent file of all applications and all certificates issued.

C.

Issuance: If the newly erected or altered structure and the new use of premises conform with all applicable orders, regulations, and codes, the enforcement officer shall issue a certificate of occupancy authorizing the use thereof. If the structure or use fails to conform, the enforcement officer shall refuse to issue a certificate of occupancy and shall deliver written notice to the applicant stating the reasons for the refusal. The enforcement officer shall inspect a new structure or the premises for which a new use is proposed and shall issue or refuse a certificate of occupancy within five days after the date on which the new use is ready to commence.

D.

Validity: The issuance of a certificate of occupancy by the enforcement officer shall not waive any provision of the Zoning Order.