[Ord. of 2-7-1989, § 1; Ord. No. 2022, 5-16-2000]
The fee for a building permit for new construction and alternations for building and types of construction as classified and defined in the state building code and adopted by the town are in accordance with the section of fees set, from time to time, by the Board of Selectmen. Such schedule of fees is on file in the office of the Town Clerk.
[Ord. of 6-15-1979; Ord. of 1-5-1993]
No new driveway shall be constructed or existing driveway altered or enlarged within the town until an application has been filed with the Building Inspector and a permit issued. Such permit shall be issued or refused, in whole or in part, within 30 days after the date of application. No permit shall be issued except upon application of the owner of the premises affected or his authorized agent. The permit shall be valid for a period of nine months from the date of issuance. The fee for the permit shall be established by the Board of Selectmen.
[Ord. of 6-16-1998]
(a) 
Pursuant to G.S. 7-148(C)(B)(2), approval of all applications for building permits, final certificates of occupancy, or other building applications made to the Building Official of the town shall be withheld for any property upon which taxes are delinquent and for which an application is made. As used in this section, the term "other building application" applies only to commercial and industrial properties and shall include any application for mechanical or electrical permits.
(b) 
The following procedure is hereby established to implement this section:
(1) 
The Collector of Revenue shall file with the Building Official a list of all properties and property owners who are delinquent in their real property taxes as of August 1 and February 1 of each year.
(2) 
Before approving any building application, the Building Official shall require any applicant for any building application for property which appears on the Collector of Revenue's delinquency list last filed with him to either:
a. 
Obtain a certification from the Collector of Revenue that the delinquent taxes have been paid; or
b. 
Obtain a certification from the Collector of Revenue that the taxpayer has entered into an acceptable agreement with the Collector of Revenue for the payment of the delinquent taxes; provided, however, that the failure of such taxpayer to pay the delinquency in accord with such agreement shall entitle the Building Official to revoke the permit under which work at the property is proceeding and to refuse to issue further certificates in connection therewith.
(3) 
The Building Official may grant a building application without the satisfaction for the above certifications if he certifies in writing, as part of the file, that an emergency exists affecting the health or safety of the occupants of a building upon which property the building application is sought; or, that the work proposed is to comply with the order of a local authority having jurisdiction.
(4) 
The Collector of Revenue and the Building Official, subject to the approval of the First Selectman, shall develop the necessary forms to implement this section.
[Added 10-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2691]
The Policies and Procedures for collecting the fees shall be as follows:
(a) 
Permits.
(1) 
Permits for building and development activities must be secured prior to the commencement of such activities. Fees for permits must be paid in full at the time of application.
(2) 
Permits for any development shall be withheld where real estate taxes on the property for which a permit is sought are delinquent.
(3) 
Exceptions or waivers may be granted where an emergency exists affecting health or safety of occupants, or to comply with an order of a local authority having jurisdiction. The Town Manager may waive any fee at his/her discretion.
(b) 
Appeals. Where it is alleged that the administrative official in calculating the applicable fees has made an error, a written complaint shall be filed with the Town Manager.
(c) 
Refunds. Refunds shall be requested in writing by the applicant and shall be subject to the following:
(1) 
Permits and applications that have been abandoned or become expired as per the State Building Code shall be nonrefundable.
(2) 
The Town shall retain $2 for each $1,000 of value of work with a minimum fee of $40 as administrative review.
(d) 
Special inspections and professional review of plans.
(1) 
The Building Official may require that a professional peer review of plans be performed by a licensed architect or engineer of his choice to ensure that the design complies with the building code. In addition, the Building Official may require special inspections be performed for unique or special construction. All fees and costs related to the performance of such reviews or inspections shall be borne by the applicant.
(2) 
The Town will not inspect buildings or other structures for banks, insurance companies or individuals except in the course of routine inspections when a permit has been issued.
(3) 
Where it has been determined by any Town commission that it must consult with experts to analyze, review and report on areas requiring a detailed, technical peer review in order to assist the commission in evaluating the effect of a proposal on the Town, the commission may require the applicant to pay these costs. These fees will be paid to the Town for the commission's use prior to proceeding on the application in advance based on a preliminary estimate from such experts, times 150%. Upon completion of the technical review, and a full accounting of the charges owed, or paid, any excess funds will be refunded to the applicant.