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All Building Permits except Fence, Excavation, Driveway, Zoning and Sidewalk go thru Linn County Planning and Development.
 
If you need a Fence, Excavation, Driveway, Zoning or Sidewalk permit please call City Hall 319-849-1508.
 
 
CHAPTER 155 BUILDING PERMITS

155.01    PURPOSE.  The purpose of this chapter is to outline the procedures for obtaining building permits.  For use in this chapter “building inspector” means the Housing Official.

155.02    PERMITS REQUIRED.  Except as specified under Section 155.03, no building or structure regulated by this Code of Ordinances shall be erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted or demolished unless a separate permit for each building or structure has first been obtained.

155.03    WORK EXEMPT FROM PERMIT.  A building permit is not required for the following:

1.            One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet.
2.            Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II, or III-A liquids.
3.            Platforms, walks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over any basement or story below.
4.            Painting, papering and similar finish work.
5.            Window awnings supported by an exterior wall of Group R, Division 3, and Group U Occupancies when projecting not more than 54 inches.

Exception from the permit requirements of this chapter shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction.

155.04    APPLICATION FOR PERMIT.  To obtain a permit, the applicant shall first file an application therefor in writing on a form furnished by the Clerk’s office for that purpose. Every application shall:

1.            Identify and describe the work to be covered by the permit for which the application is made.
2.            Describe the land on which the proposed work is to be done by legal description, street address or similar description that will readily identify and definitely locate the proposed building or work.
3.            Indicate the use or occupancy for which the proposed work is intended.
4.            Be accompanied by plans, diagrams, computations and specifications and other data as required in Section 155.05.
5.            Indicate type of structure and square footage for each floor.
6.            Indicate setback measurements and include drawing illustrating setback measurements on sheet attached to permit application.
7.            Be signed by the applicant or the applicant’s authorized agent.
8.            Give such other data and information as may be required by the building official.

155.05    SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS.  Plans, specifications, engineering calculations, diagrams, soil investigation reports, special inspection and structural observation programs and other data shall constitute the submittal documents to be submitted in one or more sets with the application for the permit.  When such plans are not prepared by an architect or engineer, the building inspector may require the applicant submitting such plans or other data to demonstrate that State law does not require that the plans be prepared by a licensed architect or engineer.  The building inspector may require plans, computations and specifications to be prepared and designed by an engineer or architect licensed by the State to practice as such even if not required by State law.  EXCEPTION:  The building inspector may waive the submission of plans, calculations, construction inspection requirements and other date if it is found that the nature of the work applied for is such that reviewing of the plans is not necessary to obtain compliance with this chapter.

155.06    INFORMATION ON PLANS/SPECIFICATIONS.  Plans and specifications shall be drawn to scale upon substantial paper or cloth and shall be of sufficient clarity to indicate the location, nature and extent of the work proposed and show in detail that it will conform to the provisions of this code and all relevant laws, ordinances, rules and regulations.  Plans for buildings of other than Group R, Division 3 and Group U Occupancies shall indicate how required structural and fire resistive integrity will be maintained where penetrations will be made for electrical, mechanical, plumbing and communication conduits, pipes and similar systems.

155.07    ARCHITECT OR ENGINEER OF RECORD.  When it is required that documents be prepared by an architect or engineer, the building inspector may require the owner to engage and designate on the building permit application an architect or engineer who shall act as the architect or engineer of record.  If the circumstances require, the owner may designate a substitute architect or engineer of record who shall perform all the duties required of the original architect or engineer of record.  The building inspector shall be notified in writing by the owner if the architect or engineer of record is changed or is unable to continue to perform the duties.  The architect or engineer of record shall be responsible for reviewing and coordinating all submittal document prepared by others, including deferred submittal items, for compatibility with the design of the building.

155.08    DEFERRED SUBMITTALS.  For the purposes of this section, “deferred submittals” are defined as those portions of the design that are not submitted at the time of the application and that are to be submitted to the building inspector within a specified time.  Deferral of any submittal items shall have prior approval of the building inspector.  The architect or engineer of record shall list the deferred submittals on the plans and shall submit the deferred submittal documents for review by the building inspector.  Submittal documents for deferred submittal items shall be submitted to the architect or engineer of record who shall review them and forward them to the building inspector with a notation indicating that the deferred submittal documents have been reviewed and they have been found to be in general conformance with the design of the building.  The deferred submittal items shall not be installed until their design and submittal documents have been approved by the building inspector.

155.09    INSPECTION AND OBSERVATION.  When special inspection is required under Section 1704 of the International Building Code, the architect or engineer of record shall prepare an inspection program that shall be submitted to the building inspector for approval prior to issuance of the building permit.  The inspection program shall designate the portions of the work that require special inspection and the name or names of the individuals or firms who are to perform the special inspections and indicate the duties of the special inspectors.  The special inspector shall be employed by the owner, the architect or engineer of record or an agent of the owner, but not the contractor or any other person responsible for the work.  When structural observation is required by Section 1702 of the International Building Code, the inspection firm shall name the individuals or firms who are to perform structural observation and describe the stages of construction at which structural observation is to occur.  The inspection program shall include samples of inspection reports and provide time limits for submission of reports.

155.10    PERMIT ISSUANCE.  The application, plans, specifications, computations and other data filed by an applicant for a permit shall be reviewed by the building inspector.   Such plans may be reviewed by other departments of the jurisdiction to verify compliance with any applicable laws under their jurisdiction.  If the building inspector finds that the work described in an application for a permit and plans, specifications and other data filed therewith conform to the requirements of this chapter and other pertinent laws and ordinances, and that the fees specified in Section 155.15 have been paid, the Clerk shall issue a permit therefor to the applicant.  When plans are required to be submitted, the building inspector shall endorse in writing or stamp the plans and specifications APPROVED.  Such approved plans and specifications shall not be changed, modified or altered without authorizations from the building inspector, and all work regulated by this chapter shall be done in accordance with the approved plans.  The building inspector may approve the issuance of a permit for the construction of part of a building or structure before the entire plans and specifications for the whole building or structure have been submitted or approved, provided adequate information and detailed statements have been filed complying with all pertinent requirements of this code.  The holder of a partial permit shall proceed without assurance that the permit for the entire building or structure will be granted.  Further construction will require a second submission and approval. 

155.11    RETENTION OF PLANS.  One set of approved plans, specifications and computations shall be retained by the building inspector for a period of not less than 90 days from the day of completion of the work covered therein; and one set of approved plans and specifications shall be returned to the applicant, and said set shall be kept on the site of the building or work at all times during which the work authorized thereby is in progress.

155.12    VALIDITY OF PERMIT.  The issuance or granting of a permit or approval of plans, specifications and computations shall not be construed to be a permit for, or an approval of, any violation of any of the provisions of this code or any ordinance of the jurisdiction.  Permits presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this chapter or other ordinances of the jurisdiction shall not be valid.  The issuance of a permit based on plans, specifications and other data shall not prevent the building inspector from thereafter requiring the correction of errors in said plans, specifications and other data, or from preventing building operations being carried on thereunder when in violation of this chapter or any other ordinances of this jurisdiction.

155.13    EXPIRATION.  A building permit is good for one year from date of issuance.  Every permit issued after the passage of and under the provisions of this chapter shall expire by limitation and become null and void if the building or work authorized by such permit is not commenced within 180 days from the date of such permit, or if the building or work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned at any time after the work is commenced for a period of 180 days.  Before such work can be recommenced, a new permit shall be obtained to do so, and the fee therefor shall be one half the building permit fee required for a new permit for such work, provided no changes have been made or will be made in the original plans and specifications for such work, and further provided that such suspension or abandonment has not exceeded one year.  In order to renew action on a permit after expiration, the permittee shall pay a new full permit fee.  Any permittee holding an unexpired permit may apply for an extension of the time within which work may commence under that permit when the permittee is unable to commence work within the time required by this section for good and satisfactory reasons.  The building inspector may extend the time for action by the permittee showing that circumstances beyond the control of the permittee have prevented action from being taken.  No permit shall be extended more than once.

155.14    SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION.  The building inspector may, in writing, suspend or revoke a permit issued under the provisions of this chapter whenever the permit is issued in error or on the basis of incorrect information supplied, or in violation of any ordinance or regulation or any of the provisions of the chapter.

155.15    FEES.  Fees shall be assessed in accordance with a valuation and fee schedule adopted by Council resolution.  The determination of value or valuation and the fee under any provisions of this chapter shall be made by the Clerk.  The value to be used in computing the building permit fee shall be the total value of all construction work for which the permit is issued, as well as all finish work, painting, roofing, electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, elevators, fire extinguishing systems and any other permanent equipment.  Projects not listed on the valuation schedule but still requiring a permit will be assessed at a set fee adopted by Council resolution.  Reinspection fees as set forth by Council resolution shall be paid prior to additional inspections of the work.  Utility impact fees in an amount set forth by Council resolution shall be paid at the same time as the building permit fee.

155.16    INVESTIGATION AND FEE.  Whenever any work for which a permit is required by this code has been commenced without first obtaining said permit, a special investigation shall be made before a permit may be issued for such work.  An investigation fee, in addition to the permit fee, shall be collected whether or not a permit is then or subsequently issued.  The investigation fee shall be equal to the amount of the permit fee required by this chapter.  The payment of such investigation fee shall not exempt any person from compliance with all other provisions or penalties prescribed under the City Code.

155.17    INSPECTIONS.  The building inspector shall make such inspections as provided in the International Building Code.

155.18    CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY.  No building or structure shall be used or occupied, and no change in the existing occupancy classification of a building or structure or portion thereof shall be made until the building inspector has issued a certificate of occupancy therefor as provided herein.  EXCEPTION:  As provided under Section 109.1 of the International Building Code.  Issuance of a certificate of occupancy shall not be construed as an approval of a violation of the provisions of this chapter or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction.  Certificates presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this chapter or other ordinances of the jurisdiction shall not be valid. Changes in the character or use of a building shall not be made except as specified in Chapter 34 of the International Building Code.  If the building inspector finds no violations of the provisions of this chapter or other ordinances of the City, the building inspector shall issue a certificate of occupancy that shall contain the following:

1.            The building permit number.
2.            The address of the building.
3.            The name and address of the owner.
4.            A description of that portion of the building for which the certificate is issued.
5.            A statement that the described portion of the building has been inspected for compliance with the requirements of this chapter for the group and division of occupancy and the use for which the proposed occupancy is classified.
6.            The name of the building inspector.

If the building inspector find that no substantial hazard will result from occupancy of any building or portion thereof before the same is completed, a temporary certificate of occupancy may be issued for the use of a portion or portions of a building or structure prior to the completion of the entire building or structure.  The building inspector may, in writing, suspend or revoke a certificate of occupancy issued under the provisions of this chapter whenever the certificate is issued in error, or on the basis of incorrect information supplied, or when it is determined that the building or portion thereof is in violation of any ordinance or regulation of the City.
 
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