Except as otherwise provided in § 152-12, an approved building permit is required before commencing any work which must conform to the Uniform Code and/or the Energy Code, including, but not limited to, the construction, enlargement, alteration, improvement, removal, relocation or demolition of any building or structure or any portion thereof, and the installation of a solid fuel-burning heating appliance, chimney or flue in any dwelling unit. No person shall commence any work for which a building permit is required without first having obtained a building permit from the Code Enforcement Officer.
No building permit shall be required for work in any of the following categories:
A.
Playground equipment. Installation of swings and other playground equipment associated with a one- or two-family dwelling or multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses).
B.
Pools. Installation of swimming pools associated with a one- or two-family residence or multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) where such pools are designed for a water depth of less than 24 inches and are installed entirely above ground.
C.
Retaining walls. Construction of retaining walls unless such retaining walls support a surcharge or impound of Class I, II or IIIA liquids.
D.
Temporary stages. Construction of temporary motion picture, television or theater stage sets and scenery.
E.
Residential awnings. Installation of window awnings supported by an exterior wall of a one- or two-family dwelling or multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses).
F.
Partitions. Installation of partitions or movable cases less than five feet nine inches in height.
G.
Finish work. Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting or other similar finish work.
H.
Portable appliances. Installation of listed portable electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation or cooling equipment or appliances.
I.
Replacement equipment. Replacement of any equipment provided the replacement does not alter the equipment's listing or render it inconsistent with its original specifications.
J.
Repairs. Repairs, provided that such repairs do not involve:
(1)
The removal or diminishment of any load-bearing component.
(2)
The removal or change of any required means of egress, or the rearrangement of parts of a structure in a manner which affects egress.
(3)
The enlargement, alteration, replacement or relocation of any building system.
(4)
The removal from service of all or part of a fire protection system for any period of time.
The exemption from the requirement to obtain a building permit for work in any category set forth in § 152-12 shall not be deemed an authorization for work to be performed in violation of the Uniform Code or the Energy Code.
Applications for a building permit shall be made in writing on a form provided by or otherwise acceptable to the Code Enforcement Officer. The application shall be signed by the owner of the property where the work is to be performed or an authorized agent of the owner. The application shall include such information as the Code Enforcement Officer deems sufficient to permit a determination by the Code Enforcement Officer that the intended work complies with all applicable requirements of the Uniform Code and the Energy Code. The application shall include or be accompanied by the following information and documentation:
A.
Description. A description of the proposed work.
B.
Premises identification. The Tax Map number and the street address of the premises where the work is to be performed.
C.
Classification. The occupancy classification of any affected building or structure.
D.
Special inspections. Where applicable, a statement of special inspections prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Uniform Code and who is conducting the inspections.
E.
Construction documents. At least four sets of construction documents which:
(1)
Define the scope of the proposed work;
(2)
Are prepared and stamped by a New York State registered architect or licensed professional engineer where so required by the Education Law (with the exception of a newly constructed single- or two-family residence of 1,500 square feet, including basement and garage, or less or alterations of less than $20,000);
(3)
Indicate with sufficient clarity and detail the nature and extent of the work proposed;
(4)
Substantiate that the proposed work will comply with the Uniform Code and the Energy Code; and
(5)
Where applicable, include a site plan showing any existing and proposed buildings and structures on the site, the location of any existing or proposed well or septic system, the location of the intended work, and the distances between the buildings and structures and the lot lines.
A.
Acceptability. Construction documents will not be accepted as part of an application for a building permit unless they satisfy the requirements of § 152-14E.
B.
Acceptance stamp. Construction documents which are accepted as part of the application for a building permit shall be marked as accepted by the Code Enforcement Officer in writing or by stamp.
C.
Distribution of sets. One set of the accepted construction documents shall be retained by the Code Enforcement Officer, and one set of the accepted construction documents shall be returned to the applicant to be kept at the work site so as to be available for use by the code enforcement personnel. However, the return of a set of accepted construction documents to the applicant shall not be construed as authorization to commence work, nor as an indication that a building permit will be issued. Work shall not be commenced until and unless a building permit is issued.
D.
Building permit required. No work shall commence until and unless a building permit is issued.
An application for a building permit shall be examined to ascertain whether the proposed work is in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Uniform Code and Energy Code. The Code Enforcement Officer shall issue a building permit if the proposed work is in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Uniform Code and Energy Code.
Building permits shall be visibly displayed at the work site and remain visible until the authorized work has been completed.
All work shall be performed in accordance with the construction documents which were submitted with and accepted as part of the application for the building permit. The building permit shall contain such a directive. The permit holder shall immediately notify the Code Enforcement Officer of any change occurring during the course of the work. The building permit shall contain such a directive. If the Code Enforcement Officer determines that such change warrants a new or amended building permit, such change shall not be made until and unless a new or amended building permit reflecting such change is issued.
Building permits become invalid unless the authorized work is commenced within six months of the date of issuance. Building permits shall expire 12 months after the date of issuance. An invalid or expired building permit may be renewed upon application by the permit holder, payment of the applicable fee, and approval of the application by the Code Enforcement Officer.
If the Code Enforcement Officer determines that a building permit was issued in error because of incorrect, inaccurate or incomplete information, or that the work for which a building permit was issued violates the Uniform Code or the Energy Code, the Code Enforcement Officer shall revoke the building permit or suspend the building permit until such time as the permit holder demonstrates that:
The fee specified in or determined in accordance with the provisions set forth in § 152-3, Fees, of this chapter must be paid at the time of submission of an application for a building permit, for an amended building permit, or for renewal of a building permit.