The articles in this chapter are and shall be deemed an exercise of the administrative and police powers of the city, enacted to protect public safety, comfort, welfare and property, and all provisions of these articles shall be construed for the accomplishment of that purpose.
(Ordinance 1942, § I, 1-24-12; Ordinance 2323, § I, 10/11/2022)
As used in this chapter, building official means the officer or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of this chapter and the codes adopted herein, or the building official’s duly authorized representative such as deputy building official, building inspector, code enforcement officer and health officer.
(Ordinance 1942, § I, 1-24-12; Ordinance 2323, § I, 10/11/2022)
(a) 
No person, contractor, firm or corporation shall be authorized to secure permits as indicated in subsection (d) of this section without being a valid registered contractor with the city. Homeowners doing work on their homestead are exempt.
(b) 
A valid registered contractor is a person, firm or corporation, who has paid the prescribed fees, as shown in the city fee schedule (chapter 30), and is not delinquent in any fees or debt to the city and has a current registration on file with the city.
(c) 
The registration applicant shall file an application in writing on a form furnished by the building inspection department for this purpose. Failure by the applicant to have obtained appropriate licenses shall be cause for rejection of the application.
(d) 
Permits that pertain to this chapter include the following: Residential, building, plumbing, irrigation, fuel gas, mechanical, electrical, signs, fences, etc.
(e) 
The registration of a contractor may be denied by the building official or the registration may be revoked if the registration is issued on the basis of incorrect information supplied by the contractor.
(f) 
The registration may be renewed for the ensuing calendar year by filing a new registration and the payment of a renewal fee. No refund shall be made in the event of the revocation or surrender of any such registration certificate.
(Ordinance 1942, § I, 1-24-12; Ordinance 2323, § I, 10/11/2022)
It shall be unlawful for any person to commence the construction of any building or the construction of any alterations or repairs to an existing building or to move any building from outside the corporate limits to within the corporate limits without first having procured a permit authorizing such construction from the building official.
(Ordinance 1942, § I, 1-24-12; Ordinance 2323, § I, 10/11/2022)
Any person desiring to construct any alterations or repairs to any existing building, or to move any building from outside the corporate limits to within the corporate limits, shall file an application with the building official, such application to contain plans and specifications and estimates of cost of the contemplated construction.
(Ordinance 1942, § I, 1-24-12; Ordinance 2323, § I, 10/11/2022)
No permit authorizing the construction of any building or the construction of any alterations or repairs to any existing building, or the moving of any building from outside the corporate limits to within the corporate limits, shall be issued until the application, including the plans and specifications and estimates of cost provided for herein, shall have been on file in the office of the building official for five full business days.
(Ordinance 1942, § I, 1-24-12; Ordinance 2323, § I, 10/11/2022)
No permit authorizing the construction of any building within the city, except auxiliary buildings to existing buildings, or authorizing the moving of any building from outside the corporate limits to within the corporate limits, shall be issued unless a plat showing the subdivision of the area where such construction is to be proposed has been approved by the city council.
(Ordinance 1942, § I, 1-24-12; Ordinance 2323, § I, 10/11/2022)
The building official or his duly appointed representative shall have the authority to demand contractors to open such work that in any manner conceals residential, building, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, electrical, energy or fire code items that has been closed without his/her knowledge or permission, and in no case shall the inspector issue clearance until he/she is satisfied that the work is in accordance with the provisions of all articles. The building official or his representative shall have the right to refuse to issue a clearance on any item that is concealed in such a manner that they cannot fully satisfy themselves that it has been done in accordance with all articles.
(Ordinance 1942, § I, 1-24-12; Ordinance 2323, § I, 10/11/2022)
When service is disconnected to any building used for commercial or mercantile purposes, theaters, gasoline stations and garages whether for fire or catastrophe reasons or other, approval must be obtained before reconnecting to the appropriate utilities. Provided, however, where service is terminated for nonpayment of bill, it shall not be necessary to obtain city approval before reconnecting.
(Ordinance 1942, § I, 1-24-12; Ordinance 2323, § I, 10/11/2022)
Any person violating the terms and provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and such person shall be fined not more than the maximum provided in section 1-12 of this Code for fire safety and public health and sanitation provision violations for each offense. Every violation and each and every day’s failure or refusal to comply with these provisions will constitute a separate offense, and in case of willful or continued violation by any person or his agents, employees servants or officers, the city shall have the power to revoke and repeal any license under which the person may be acting, and revoke all permits, privileges and franchises granted to the person.
(Ordinance 1942, § I, 1-24-12; Ordinance 2323, § I, 10/11/2022)
There is a city variance and appeals board that allows for the opportunity to appeal. See section 84-27 (ZBA board) of this Code.
(Ordinance 1942, § I, 1-24-12; Ordinance 2323, § I, 10/11/2022)
The building official shall have authority to establish certain policy guidelines or standards regulating various provisions of the residential, building, plumbing, fuel gas, mechanical, electrical, property maintenance, abatement of dangerous buildings and health codes adopted in this chapter that are subject to the standardization of construction or health methods and/or local interpretation. The building official shall have the authority to outline conditions and provide for code consistency to rules, regulations, or laws with county, state or federal agencies.
(Ordinance 1942, § I, 1-24-12; Ordinance 2323, § I, 10/11/2022)