The provisions of this code apply to the construction, alteration, repair, use, occupancy, and addition to all buildings and structures, other than industrial building systems or mobile structures certified under I.C. 22-15-4 in the jurisdiction of the Southport Board of Public Works.
(Ord. 13.04 § 1-25, passed 7-16-2012; Am. Ord. 13.04 § 1-25, passed 6-17-2013)
Prior to the issuance of any building permit using the required building permit application form, the Building Commissioner or designee shall:
(A) 
Review all building permit applications to determine full compliance with the provisions of this code.
(B) 
Review all building permit applications for new construction or substantial improvements to determine whether proposed building sites will be reasonably safe from flooding.
(C) 
Review building permit applications for major repairs within the flood plain area having special flood hazards to determine that the proposed repair (1) uses construction materials and utility equipment that are resistant to flood damage, and (2) uses construction methods and practices that will minimize flood damage.
(D) 
Review building permit applications for new construction or substantial improvements within the flood plain area having special flood hazard to assure that the proposed construction (including prefabricated and mobile homes) (1) is protected against flood damage, (2) is designed (or modified) and anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement of the structure, flood damage, and (3) uses construction methods and practices that will minimize flood damage.
(E) 
Review building permit applications for a permit or letter of authorization, from the Department of Natural Resources, if the project is within the 100-year frequency flood plain.
(Ord. 13.04 § 1-26, passed 7-16-2012; Am. Ord. 13.04 § 1-26, passed 6-17-2013)
Building permits shall be issued in accordance with the building permit rules and regulations, as adopted by the City of Southport Board of Public Works.
(Ord. 13.04 § 1-27, passed 7-16-2012; Am. Ord. 13.04 § 1-27, passed 6-17-2013)
After the issuance of any building permit, the Building Commissioner shall make, or shall cause to be made, inspections of the work being done as are necessary to insure full compliance with the provisions of this code and the terms of the permit. Re-inspections of work found to be incomplete or not ready for inspection are subject to assessment of re-inspection fees as prescribed in this code.
(Ord. 13.04 § 1-28, passed 7-16-2012; Am. Ord. 13.04 § 1-28, passed 6-17-2013)
The Indianapolis Fire Department, the Fire Marshal or their designated representative may assist the Building Commissioner or designee in the inspection of fire suppression, detection and alarm systems and shall provide reports of such inspection to the Building Commissioner.
(Ord. 13.04 § 1-29, passed 7-16-2012; Am. Ord. 13.04 § 1-29, passed 6-17-2013)
Upon presentation of proper credentials, the Building Commissioner, the Fire Chief, the Fire Marshal, or their duly authorized representatives may enter at reasonable times any building, structure or premises in the City of Southport to perform any duty imposed upon him by this code.
(Ord. 13.04 § 1-30, passed 7-16-2012; Am. Ord. 13.04 § 1-30, passed 6-17-2013)
Any work on the construction, alteration and repair of buildings and other structures shall be performed in a good and workmanlike manner according to accepted standards and practices in the trade.
(Ord. 13.04 § 1-31, passed 7-16-2012; Am. Ord. 13.04 § 1-31, passed 6-17-2013)
No certificate of occupancy for any building or structure erected, altered or repaired after October 2008 shall be issued unless such building or structure was erected, altered or repaired in compliance with the provisions of this article. The permit holder shall be responsible for requesting a final inspection and receiving a certificate of occupancy from the Building Commissioner or authorized representative prior to allowing a building or structure to be occupied. It shall be unlawful to occupy any such building or structure unless a full, partial, or temporary certificate of occupancy has been issued by the Building Commissioner or authorized representative.
(Ord. 13.04 § 1-32, passed 7-16-2012; Am. Ord. 13.04 § 1-32, passed 6-17-2013)
Whenever the Building Commissioner or his/her authorized representative discovers the existence of any of the circumstances listed below, he/she is empowered to issue an order requiring the suspension of the pertinent construction activity. The stop-work order shall be in writing and shall state to which construction activity it is applicable and the reason for its issuance. The stop-work order shall be posted on the property in a conspicuous place and, if conveniently possible, shall be given to the person doing the construction and to the owner of the property or his agent. The stop-work order shall state the conditions under which construction may be resumed and such construction shall not resume until written authorization of the Building Commissioner.
The circumstances under which stop-work orders may be issued are the following:
(A) 
Construction activity is proceeding in an unsafe manner, cleanliness of construction site, including, by way of example and not of limitation, in violation of any standard set forth in this chapter or any state standard pertaining to safety during construction.
(B) 
Construction activity occurring in violation of building standards and procedures or in such a manner that if construction is allowed to proceed, there is a reasonable probability that it will be substantially difficult to correct the violation.
(C) 
Construction activity has been accomplished in violation of building standards and procedures and a period of time which is one-half the time period in which construction would be completed, but no longer than 15 calendar days have elapsed since written notice of the violation or noncompliance was either posted on the property in a conspicuous place or given to the person doing the construction, without the violation or noncompliance being corrected.
(D) 
Construction activity for which a building permit is required is proceeding without a building permit being in force. In such an instance, the stop-work order shall indicate that the effect of this order terminates if the required building permit is obtained.
(E) 
Construction activity for which a building permit is issued more than 30 days earlier is proceeding without there being in force applicable permits and approvals required by governmental units (including, but not limited to, the State Board of Health, State Department of Environmental Management, State Department of Natural Resources and State Department of Transportation) for compliance with standards for air quality, drainage, flood control, fire safety, vehicular access, and waste treatment and disposal on the real estate on which the structure is located. In such an instance, the stop-work order shall indicate that the order is applicable to all construction activity allowed by the building permit and that the effect of the order terminates if the required permits and approvals are obtained.
(F) 
Construction activity is occurring for which a certificate of appropriateness from the State Historical Preservation Commission pursuant to I.C. 36-7-11.1-1 et seq. without a certificate of appropriateness being in force. In such an instance, the stop-work order shall indicate that the effect of the order terminates if the required certificate of appropriateness is obtained.
(Ord. 13.04 § 1-33, passed 7-16-2012; Am. Ord. 13.04 § 1-33, passed 6-17-2013)
All persons shall have the right to appeal the Building Commissioner’s decision first through the Board of Public Works, then to the Southport City Council, and then to the Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission of Indiana in accordance with the provisions of I.C. 22-13-2-7 and 4-21.5-5-3-7.
(Ord. 13.04 § 1-34, passed 7-16-2012; Am. Ord. 13.04 § 1-34, passed 6-17-2013)
A violation of this article constitutes an offense punishable by a fine of not more than $500 per day, and each day of violation shall be deemed to constitute a separate such offense.
(Ord. 13.04 § 1-35, passed 7-16-2012; Am. Ord. 13.04 § 1-35, passed 6-17-2013)
Action on the violation of any provision of this article and the right of injunction against such violation shall be as provided by Indiana law.
(Ord. 13.04 § 1-36, passed 7-16-2012; Am. Ord. 13.04 § 1-36, passed 6-17-2013)