Building Permit Regulations
Chapter 3: Building Permits
Sec. 15-3.01 Permit:
(a) No person shall erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, or move a building or make, install, alter, or repair improvements thereto within the city without first making application and obtaining a permit therefor from the City.
(b) Ordinary upkeep and maintenance and minor repairs and alterations involving no change in character or use may be made without filing an application or obtaining a permit, provided such repairs shall not violate any of the provisions of this Code.
Sec. 15-3.02 Application For Permit:
(a) Form: An application for a permit, signed by the owner or his authorized agent, shall be filed with the Mayor or designee. Such application shall be accompanied by the plans and specifications required by this section and shall provide such information as may reasonably be required by such body for an intelligent understanding of the proposed work.
(b) Registered Architects and Engineers: Design for the construction or substantial remodeling of any building allowed by zoning regulations within the corporate limits of the City, except as listed below, shall be entrusted only to an architect or professional engineer acting within the scope of his professional registration under Chapter 322 and 323 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes. Single family dwellings and accessory buildings or structures thereto are hereby exempted from this section.
(c) Plans and Specifications: Two copies of plans and specifications shall accompany each application. Plans shall be drawn to scale with sufficient clarity to indicate the nature and extent of work proposed. Such plans and specifications together shall contain information sufficient to indicate that the work proposed will conform to the provisions of this Code and all relevant deed restrictions, laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations. Such information shall be specific, and this Code shall not be cited in whole or in part, nor shall the term “legal” or its equivalent to be used as a substitute for specific information. Each set of plans and specifications shall give the address of the work, the name and the business and home address of the owner and the name and business address of the person who prepared and is responsible for them. The Legislative Body shall require drawings showing the location of the proposed building or structure and of every existing building or structure on the site or lot. A boundary line survey, if and where necessary, prepared by a qualified surveyor, may also required by the Mayor or designee.
All plans submitted for approval shall contain a drawing or plat showing the lot plan, the location of the building on the lot, accurate dimensions of the building and lot, and such other information as may be required by the Legislative Body.
(d) Time Limitation: An application for a permit for any proposed work shall be deemed to have been abandoned six (6) months after date of issuance, provided that, for cause, one or more extensions of time, for periods not exceeding ninety (90) days each, may be allowed by the Mayor or designee.
Sec. 15-3.03 Permit Fee:
No permit shall be issued until the applicant shall have paid to the city treasurer a permit fee of $50.00, none of which shall be refunded to the applicant upon completion of the work in compliance with this Code.
Sec. 15-3.04 Issuance of Permit:
(a) Examination of Application: The Director of Buildings shall examine or cause to be examined each application for a permit and the plans, specifications, and computations filed therewith and shall ascertain by such examination whether the constructions indicated and described will not adversely affect the public safety, health, convenience, comfort, and general welfare of the residents of the City, in accordance with the requirements of this Code and all other pertinent laws, ordinances, and deed restrictions, is in uniformity and harmony of exterior design with existing structures on the lot which the work is proposed and surrounding lots, and is so located so as to not adversely effect adjoining structures, uses, and operations.
(b) Action on Application:
(i.) Approval: The Director of Buildings shall act upon an application for a permit without unreasonable or unnecessary delay. If such Director is satisfied that the work described in an application for a permit and the plans and specifications filed therewith will not aggressively affect the public safety, health, convenience, comfort, and general welfare of the residents of the City, conforms to the requirements of this Code and all other pertinent laws, ordinances, and deed restrictions, is in uniformity and harmony of exterior design with existing structures on the lot which the work is proposed and surrounding lots, and is so located so as to not adversely effect adjoining structures, uses and operations he shall so report to the Mayor or designee which, if it concurs in such director’s report, shall issue a building permit.
When the building permit is issued, the Building Director shall endorse, in writing or stamp, on both sets of plans and specifications “APPROVED”. Such approved plans and specifications shall not be changed, modified, or altered in any manner affected by this Chapter, or other pertinent laws, ordinances, and deed restrictions without authorization from the Mayor or designee, and all work shall be done in accordance with the approved plans and specifications.
(ii.) Disapproval: If the application for a permit and the plans and specifications filed therewith, describe work which does not conform to the requirements of this Code or other pertinent laws, ordinances, and deed restrictions, or does not contain sufficient information, the Director of Buildings shall so report to the Legislative Body, and, if the report of such director is concurred in by such Legislative Body, no permit shall be issued. In such event the plans and specifications shall be returned to the applicant with the refusal to issue such a permit. When requested by the applicant, such refusal shall be in writing and shall contain the reasons therefor.
(c) Disposition of Plans. One set of plans, specifications, and computations shall be retained by the City Clerk and one set of the approved plans and specifications shall be returned to the applicant. The latter set shall be kept at the site of work at all times during which the work authorized thereby is in progress and shell be open to inspection at all reasonable times by the Director of Building or his authorized representative.
(d) Conditions of the Permit. A permit issued shall be construed to be a license to proceed with the work and shall not be construed as authority to violate, cancel, alter, or set aside any provisions of this Code, or any other pertinent laws, ordinances, or deed restrictions, nor shall such issuance of a permit prevent the Director of Building from thereafter requiring a correction of errors in plans or in construction, or in violation of this Code or any other applicable laws, ordinances, or deed restrictions. Any permit issued shall become invalid unless the work is authorized by it shall have been commenced within six (6) months after issuance, or, if after the work is commenced, such work is not completed within three (3) months, providing that, for cause, one or more extensions of time, for periods not to exceed thirty (30) days each, may be allowed in writing by the Mayor or designee.
(e) Posting of Permit. No building operations requiring a permit shall be commenced until the permit holder or his authorized agent shall have posted a building permit card, in a conspicuous place, near the front of the premises, protected from the weather, and in such a position as to permit the Director of Buildings to make entries thereon requesting inspection of the work. Such card shall be preserved and shall remain posted until completion of the work.
Sec. 15-03.05 Responsibilities of Permit Applicant:
(a) The applicant shall be responsible for seeing that adequate provisions are made for drainage, both during the period of construction and after construction is completed. He assumes the responsibility for assuring the City that water will not be diverted from its natural flow to the detriment of land(s) surrounding the buildings or structure which he is or has constructed, modified, or demolished
(b) The applicant is charged with the responsibility of seeing that no debris, waste, or rubbish from the project for which this permit is issued is discarded or abandoned within the boundaries of the City, either during, upon, or after the completion of said project.
(c) At all times, it shall be the duty of the applicant to maintain the streets in the vicinity of the permit location in a clean condition. The street shall not be allowed to become cluttered or covered with dirt or debris as a result of the construction, etc. activities.
Sec. 15-3.06 Inspections:
(a) Existing Buildings: Before issuing a permit, the Mayor or designee shall examine or cause to be examined all buildings for which an application has been received for a permit to enlarge, alter, repair, move, or demolish the building.
(b) At Site: The Director of Building shall inspect or cause to be inspected all buildings and structures from time to time during the completion of the work for which a permit was issued. He shall make record of every such examination and inspection and of all violations of this Chapter and of any other applicable laws, ordinances, and deed restrictions.
(c) Procedure: The Director of Building shall make, or cause to be made, the inspections called for by this section. He may accept reports of inspectors or recognized inspection organizations, provided that after investigation he is satisfied as to their qualifications and reliability. No other approval called for by any provisions of the requirements shall be based on such reports unless the same is in writing and certified by responsible officer of such organization.
Sec. 15-3.07 Completion of Project:
Upon the completion of a project and the satisfaction of all sections of this Code and all other pertinent laws, ordinances, and deed restrictions, those funds on deposit with the City under Sec. 15-3.05 of this Chapter shall be refunded to the holder of the building permit. No building shall be occupied or used until final approval of the project by the Building Director.
Sec. 15-3.01 Permit:
(a) No person shall erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, or move a building or make, install, alter, or repair improvements thereto within the city without first making application and obtaining a permit therefor from the City.
(b) Ordinary upkeep and maintenance and minor repairs and alterations involving no change in character or use may be made without filing an application or obtaining a permit, provided such repairs shall not violate any of the provisions of this Code.
Sec. 15-3.02 Application For Permit:
(a) Form: An application for a permit, signed by the owner or his authorized agent, shall be filed with the Mayor or designee. Such application shall be accompanied by the plans and specifications required by this section and shall provide such information as may reasonably be required by such body for an intelligent understanding of the proposed work.
(b) Registered Architects and Engineers: Design for the construction or substantial remodeling of any building allowed by zoning regulations within the corporate limits of the City, except as listed below, shall be entrusted only to an architect or professional engineer acting within the scope of his professional registration under Chapter 322 and 323 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes. Single family dwellings and accessory buildings or structures thereto are hereby exempted from this section.
(c) Plans and Specifications: Two copies of plans and specifications shall accompany each application. Plans shall be drawn to scale with sufficient clarity to indicate the nature and extent of work proposed. Such plans and specifications together shall contain information sufficient to indicate that the work proposed will conform to the provisions of this Code and all relevant deed restrictions, laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations. Such information shall be specific, and this Code shall not be cited in whole or in part, nor shall the term “legal” or its equivalent to be used as a substitute for specific information. Each set of plans and specifications shall give the address of the work, the name and the business and home address of the owner and the name and business address of the person who prepared and is responsible for them. The Legislative Body shall require drawings showing the location of the proposed building or structure and of every existing building or structure on the site or lot. A boundary line survey, if and where necessary, prepared by a qualified surveyor, may also required by the Mayor or designee.
All plans submitted for approval shall contain a drawing or plat showing the lot plan, the location of the building on the lot, accurate dimensions of the building and lot, and such other information as may be required by the Legislative Body.
(d) Time Limitation: An application for a permit for any proposed work shall be deemed to have been abandoned six (6) months after date of issuance, provided that, for cause, one or more extensions of time, for periods not exceeding ninety (90) days each, may be allowed by the Mayor or designee.
Sec. 15-3.03 Permit Fee:
No permit shall be issued until the applicant shall have paid to the city treasurer a permit fee of $50.00, none of which shall be refunded to the applicant upon completion of the work in compliance with this Code.
Sec. 15-3.04 Issuance of Permit:
(a) Examination of Application: The Director of Buildings shall examine or cause to be examined each application for a permit and the plans, specifications, and computations filed therewith and shall ascertain by such examination whether the constructions indicated and described will not adversely affect the public safety, health, convenience, comfort, and general welfare of the residents of the City, in accordance with the requirements of this Code and all other pertinent laws, ordinances, and deed restrictions, is in uniformity and harmony of exterior design with existing structures on the lot which the work is proposed and surrounding lots, and is so located so as to not adversely effect adjoining structures, uses, and operations.
(b) Action on Application:
(i.) Approval: The Director of Buildings shall act upon an application for a permit without unreasonable or unnecessary delay. If such Director is satisfied that the work described in an application for a permit and the plans and specifications filed therewith will not aggressively affect the public safety, health, convenience, comfort, and general welfare of the residents of the City, conforms to the requirements of this Code and all other pertinent laws, ordinances, and deed restrictions, is in uniformity and harmony of exterior design with existing structures on the lot which the work is proposed and surrounding lots, and is so located so as to not adversely effect adjoining structures, uses and operations he shall so report to the Mayor or designee which, if it concurs in such director’s report, shall issue a building permit.
When the building permit is issued, the Building Director shall endorse, in writing or stamp, on both sets of plans and specifications “APPROVED”. Such approved plans and specifications shall not be changed, modified, or altered in any manner affected by this Chapter, or other pertinent laws, ordinances, and deed restrictions without authorization from the Mayor or designee, and all work shall be done in accordance with the approved plans and specifications.
(ii.) Disapproval: If the application for a permit and the plans and specifications filed therewith, describe work which does not conform to the requirements of this Code or other pertinent laws, ordinances, and deed restrictions, or does not contain sufficient information, the Director of Buildings shall so report to the Legislative Body, and, if the report of such director is concurred in by such Legislative Body, no permit shall be issued. In such event the plans and specifications shall be returned to the applicant with the refusal to issue such a permit. When requested by the applicant, such refusal shall be in writing and shall contain the reasons therefor.
(c) Disposition of Plans. One set of plans, specifications, and computations shall be retained by the City Clerk and one set of the approved plans and specifications shall be returned to the applicant. The latter set shall be kept at the site of work at all times during which the work authorized thereby is in progress and shell be open to inspection at all reasonable times by the Director of Building or his authorized representative.
(d) Conditions of the Permit. A permit issued shall be construed to be a license to proceed with the work and shall not be construed as authority to violate, cancel, alter, or set aside any provisions of this Code, or any other pertinent laws, ordinances, or deed restrictions, nor shall such issuance of a permit prevent the Director of Building from thereafter requiring a correction of errors in plans or in construction, or in violation of this Code or any other applicable laws, ordinances, or deed restrictions. Any permit issued shall become invalid unless the work is authorized by it shall have been commenced within six (6) months after issuance, or, if after the work is commenced, such work is not completed within three (3) months, providing that, for cause, one or more extensions of time, for periods not to exceed thirty (30) days each, may be allowed in writing by the Mayor or designee.
(e) Posting of Permit. No building operations requiring a permit shall be commenced until the permit holder or his authorized agent shall have posted a building permit card, in a conspicuous place, near the front of the premises, protected from the weather, and in such a position as to permit the Director of Buildings to make entries thereon requesting inspection of the work. Such card shall be preserved and shall remain posted until completion of the work.
Sec. 15-03.05 Responsibilities of Permit Applicant:
(a) The applicant shall be responsible for seeing that adequate provisions are made for drainage, both during the period of construction and after construction is completed. He assumes the responsibility for assuring the City that water will not be diverted from its natural flow to the detriment of land(s) surrounding the buildings or structure which he is or has constructed, modified, or demolished
(b) The applicant is charged with the responsibility of seeing that no debris, waste, or rubbish from the project for which this permit is issued is discarded or abandoned within the boundaries of the City, either during, upon, or after the completion of said project.
(c) At all times, it shall be the duty of the applicant to maintain the streets in the vicinity of the permit location in a clean condition. The street shall not be allowed to become cluttered or covered with dirt or debris as a result of the construction, etc. activities.
Sec. 15-3.06 Inspections:
(a) Existing Buildings: Before issuing a permit, the Mayor or designee shall examine or cause to be examined all buildings for which an application has been received for a permit to enlarge, alter, repair, move, or demolish the building.
(b) At Site: The Director of Building shall inspect or cause to be inspected all buildings and structures from time to time during the completion of the work for which a permit was issued. He shall make record of every such examination and inspection and of all violations of this Chapter and of any other applicable laws, ordinances, and deed restrictions.
(c) Procedure: The Director of Building shall make, or cause to be made, the inspections called for by this section. He may accept reports of inspectors or recognized inspection organizations, provided that after investigation he is satisfied as to their qualifications and reliability. No other approval called for by any provisions of the requirements shall be based on such reports unless the same is in writing and certified by responsible officer of such organization.
Sec. 15-3.07 Completion of Project:
Upon the completion of a project and the satisfaction of all sections of this Code and all other pertinent laws, ordinances, and deed restrictions, those funds on deposit with the City under Sec. 15-3.05 of this Chapter shall be refunded to the holder of the building permit. No building shall be occupied or used until final approval of the project by the Building Director.
