For the purpose of this article the following definitions shall apply:
(a) Building Trades shall include anyone operating as a building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, demolition, or moving contractor.
(Code 2008)
There is hereby established city inspector which shall be under the administrative supervision of the City Administrator.
(Code 2008)
The provisions of this Article shall apply to the construction, alteration, moving, demolition, repair, and maintenance in the trades of building, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical. Situations that are unique to a trade are addressed in the article that applies to that particular trade.
(Code 2008)
The city inspector shall keep a record of the permits issued and the inspections made and shall make monthly reports to the council at its regular meeting of the duties performed by him or her under this article. He or she shall from time to time make his or her recommendations respecting the enforcement of this article. He or she may make or cause to be made investigations of new developments and practices in the building industry relating to improvements or changes therein and may accept duly authenticated reports from recognized sources of new materials or modes of construction.
(Code 2008)
When an application for a building permit shall be made as provided by section 4-108 of this article, it shall be the duty of the city inspector to examine the same and call the attention of the applicant to the ordinances of the city relating to the proposed work, and upon being satisfied that the work can be done in accordance with the ordinances lie or she shall endorse his or her approval upon the same, and the fees required by section 4-109 of this article shall be paid to the city clerk. It shall be his or her further duty to inspect all buildings or structures during the course of the proposed work to see that the provisions of the ordinances respecting all such work are complied with and followed. Whenever he or she shall determine that any such work is being carried on in violation of any ordinance regulating such work, he or she may order all work to he stopped and may require suspension of the work until the condition or violation has been remedied.
(Code 2008)
Whenever the city inspector shall refuse to grant his or her approval of any application for a building permit or when he or she shall order any work being done under a permit to be stopped or suspended the party aggrieved thereby may appeal within 10 days from the decision of the Official to the city council for its decision thereon. Such appeal shall be in writing and filed with the city clerk and shall state the facts tending to show that such party is entitled to a building permit or that work is being done in accordance with the permit granted therefore. The council shall hear the appeal not later than its next succeeding regular meeting and determine the matter in accordance with the ordinances of the city.
(Code 2008)
All construction or work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the city inspector and all such construction or work shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved by the city inspector. Approval as a result of an inspection shall not be construed to be an approval of a violation of the provisions of this code or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction. Inspections presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this code or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction shall not be valid.
(Code 2008)
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to build, enlarge, alter, or move any building; or to install, repair, alter or extend, pipes, fittings, fixtures or appliances for the water or sewer system or for use of natural gas connected to or related to any building; or to make any material alteration in the existing wiring of any building or structure or to wire the same for electric light, motors, heat devices or any apparatus requiring the use of electric current; or to install, remove , alter, repair or replace any mechanical fixture for or in a building, within the city or within three miles of the city, without a permit therefore issued in accordance with the provisions of this article. No permit shall be issued except upon a written application filed with and approved by the city inspector. Such application may require a plan of the proposed work together with a statement of the materials to be used, the estimated value or cost of the building or structure, the place to be constructed, altered, located, or relocated, the purpose for which the building is proposed to be used, and if it is an existing building or structure, the purpose for which it was originally constructed or designed. Permits shall be issued to licensed contractors for work pertaining to his or her particular license and to a homeowner work in go in his or her own home.
(Code 2008)
The following fee shall be paid to the city clerk on the approval of any application for a building permit by the city inspector:
(a) The permit fee for any existing building or structure that is altered or enlarged, shall be $0.08 per square foot for the area involved in the alteration or enlargement, but no less than $20.00.
(b) The permit fee for any newly constructed building or structure shall be $0.08 per square foot at ground level, but no less than $20.00
(c) For every structure or unit, in case of multiple units, where plumbing work is done, there shall be paid a $20.00 permit fee.
(d) For every structure or unit, in case of multiple units, where electrical work is done, there shall be paid a $20.00 permit fee.
(e) For every structure or unit, in case of multiple units, where mechanical work is done, there shall be paid a $20.00 permit fee.
All fees shall be received by the city clerk and deposited by him or her deposited in the city treasury to the credit of the general operating fund of the city.
(Code 2008)
A reinspection fee of $20.00 maybe assessed for each inspection or reinspection when such portion of work for which inspection is called is not complete or when corrections called for are not made. This subsection is not to be interpreted as requiring reinspection fees the first time a job is rejected for failure to comply with the requirements of this code, but as controlling the practice of calling for inspections before the job is ready for such inspection or reinspection.
(Code 2008)