No person shall commence any work on a building or structure until such time as a valid building permit is obtained and prominently posted on the property where the work is taking place. A building permit shall be required for all work covered under this chapter, including but not limited to construction, alteration, addition, renovation, demolition, removal, relocation, change in use, installation of fixed equipment, and other such activities as set forth in Article IV of Chapter 225, Zoning. Repairs that do not involve the structural alteration of an existing building and do not include electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work for which accessory permits would be required shall be exempt from the requirements of this section. All persons requesting a building permit shall be required to complete an application to the satisfaction of the Code Enforcement Officer as set forth in § 225-4.5 of Chapter 225, Zoning, in addition to any other information that Code Enforcement Officer may reasonably require in order to administer and enforce this chapter.
Accessory permits, in addition to a building permit, shall be required as deemed appropriate by the Code Enforcement Officer or other Town and state officials based on the scope of work required and the need to inspect and enforce this chapter, Maine Plumbing Rules, Maine Electrical Regulations, Ogunquit highway policies and regulations and all other applicable building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, or health code requirements. These accessory permits include, but are not limited to, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, sanitary, well, driveway, road entry, heating appliances, etc. An on-site review prior to the issuance of any permit may be required as deemed necessary by the Code Enforcement Officer to ensure that the proposed construction conforms to this chapter and any other applicable state regulations, Town ordinances and policies or other conditions of approval which may have been set forth by an agency with competent jurisdiction.
Notwithstanding the provisions of § 36-17, no person shall occupy any building or structure when work is taking place for which a building permit has been or should have been issued until a certificate of occupancy has been issued by the Code Enforcement Officer. A certificate of occupancy may be issued by the Code Enforcement Officer when all construction activity is completed and the building or use is deemed to be safe and in compliance with this chapter and all applicable state regulations, Town ordinances and policies or other conditions of approval which may have been set forth by an agency with competent jurisdiction.
[Amended 6-8-2021 ATM by Art. 9]
The Code Enforcement Officer may issue a temporary certificate of occupancy to allow for continued occupation of a preexisting structure while work covered by a building permit is proceeding, when, in the opinion of the Code Enforcement Officer, such occupancy does not pose a threat to the health and safety of the occupants. In addition, the Code Enforcement Officer may issue a temporary certificate of occupancy to allow for initial occupation of a newly constructed building while work covered by a building permit is proceeding, upon substantial completion but prior to the full completion of the work, when, in the opinion of the Code Enforcement Officer, such occupancy does not pose a threat to the health and safety of the occupants. A temporary certificate of occupancy issued under these circumstances may be valid for as long as deemed necessary by the Code Enforcement Officer as otherwise provided in the applicable codes, but no longer than 180 days.
[Amended 6-8-2021 ATM by Art. 9]
In the event that any person is found to have begun working prior to obtaining a permit as otherwise set forth herein, notwithstanding any civil penalties that may be imposed under § 36-11, the permit fees as otherwise set forth in the fee schedule shall be doubled, up to a maximum of $2,500, in addition to the regular fees that may be applicable.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent continuance of any existing lawful use of land or building in a manner consistent with the use in effect at the time of the adoption of this chapter or upon amendment thereto, except as specifically provided by state law or applicable Town ordinances.
Notwithstanding the authority of the Code Enforcement Officer to revoke a permit as set forth in § 36-23 below, in which case such a permit shall be treated as though it expired, all building permits shall automatically expire and become void in accordance with the provisions of § 225-4.5F of Chapter 225, Zoning. Accessory permits shall also expire under the same circumstances unless otherwise noted on the permit. Upon the expiration of a permit, all work must immediately cease and a new permit will be required along with additional payment of all applicable fees prior to any construction activity taking place.