This chapter shall be enforced by the Commissioner
of Public Works or his or her authorized representatives. No building
permit or certificate of occupancy shall be issued by said Commissioner,
or his or her authorized representatives, except where all the provisions
of this chapter have been complied with.
No building or structure shall be erected, added to or structurally altered until a permit therefor has been issued by the Commissioner of Public Works or his or her authorized representative. All applications for such permits shall be in accordance with the requirements of the Building Code (see Chapter
193, Building Construction) and all real property taxes and water and sewer charges must be paid before a building permit can be issued for a particular property. Building permits must be displayed prominently on the property for which such permit has been issued. In the discretion of the Commissioner of Public Works or his or her authorized representative, building permits may be deemed unnecessary only for the following types of work:
A. Necessary repairs which do not materially affect structural
features or change the use of the building;
B. Alterations to existing buildings where the use of
the building is not changed and which cost less than $10,000 (as measured
in January 1, 2000, dollars); do not materially affect structural
features; do not affect firesafety features, such as smoke detectors,
sprinklers, required fire separations and exits; do not involve the
installation or extension of electrical systems; and do not include
the installation of solid-fuel-burning heating appliances and associated
chimneys and flues; or
C. The construction of small, noncommercial structures
not intended for use by one or more persons as quarters for living,
sleeping, eating or cooking, such as a storage shed, so long as the
structure is no greater than 100 square feet in floor space.
Whenever a violation of this chapter occurs,
any person may file a complaint in regard thereto. All such complaints
shall be filed with the Department of Public Works, which shall properly
record such complaint and immediately investigate the same, and which
may bring such complaint before a court of competent jurisdiction.
[Amended 4-4-2017]
A violation of any provision of this chapter
is an offense punishable by a fine of not less than $250 nor more
than $1,000, or by imprisonment for a period not exceeding 15 days,
or by both such fine and imprisonment. Each day that a violation is
permitted to exist shall constitute a separate offense.
In their interpretation and application, the
provisions of this chapter shall be held to be minimum requirements
adopted for the promotion of the public health, morals, safety or
the general welfare. Whenever the requirements of this chapter are
at variance with the requirements of any other lawfully adopted rules,
regulations or ordinances, the most restrictive, or that imposing
the highest standards, shall govern.