§ 101-27. Fees.

(a)

Permits issued after commencement of work. Permits required by section 101-25 shall be issued upon prior payment of permit fees according to the schedule currently on file in the city building commissioner's office. For any permits issued and obtained under the authority of this article after the commencement of the work for which the permit is required, the fee shall be equivalent to three times that required for a permit if it had been issued prior to commencement of the work.

(b)

Demolition bond. A demolition bond of $5,000.00 must be filed with the building commissioner before demolition work commences.

(c)

Length of validity. Each permit issued shall state the length of time for which it is valid.

(d)

Loan procurement inspection fees. Where applicable, loan procurement inspection fees shall be required according to the schedule currently on file in the city building commissioner's office.

(e)

Late fee. Before a late fee shall be assessed, each person or entity found in violation of this section shall be given one warning of violation.

(f)

When construction must begin. Building permits are valid for one full year from date of issue. Construction must begin within six months from date of purchase or permit becomes invalid. If construction has been abandoned prior to the six months, the cost of the permit may be refunded less a ten percent penalty.

(g)

Stopping work; start up after permit becomes invalid. When and if work stops on a project within the 12-month period and is to again start up after the permit becomes invalid a new permit must be purchased based upon the cost to finish the project.

(h)

Performance bond.

(1)

All commercial or residential buildings to be constructed, repaired, or altered by the owner (not a contractor) shall post a cash bond if the estimated construction cost of the project, repair, or alteration equals or exceeds $5,000.00.

(2)

A cash bond of $500.00 shall be posted for all construction projects, repairs, or alterations with an estimated construction cost between $5,000.00 and $8,000.00.

(3)

A cash bond of $1,000.00 shall be posted for all construction projects, repairs, or alterations with an estimated construction cost of $8,001.00 or more.

(4)

The building commissioner shall have the right to determine the estimated construction cost of the project.

(5)

The cash bond must be in the form of a certified check, made payable to the city. The city controller's office will hold the certified check until the building commissioner or his designee determines that the project has been completed within the date set forth on the signed building permit application, and that all state and city building codes have been satisfied.

(6)

If the construction project does not meet these requirements without just cause, the cash bond will be forfeited, and the certified check will be deposited into the city's general fund.

(i)

Right of entry. Whenever necessary to make an inspection to enforce any of the provisions of the rules of the commission, or whenever the building commissioner or his authorized representative has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in any building or upon any premises any condition or code violation which makes the building or premises unsafe, dangerous, or hazardous, the building commissioner or his authorized representative may enter the building or premises at any reasonable time to inspect the same or to perform any duty imposed upon the building commissioner by 675 IAC 12-1.1, provided that if the building or premises is occupied he shall first present proper credentials and request entry; or if the building or premises is unoccupied, he shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person having charge or control of the building or premises and request entry. If entry is refused, the building commissioner or his authorized representative shall have recourse to every remedy provided by law to secure entry.

(j)

Fees to be paid to general fund of municipality. The fees collected by the building commissioner shall be reported and paid to the city controller and become a part of the city's general fund.

(Code 1985, § 150.09; Ord. No. 3152, 3-8-1988; Ord. No. 3591, 5-4-1992; Ord. No. 4534, 11-9-2000; Ord. No. 4958, § 1(150.09), 8-15-2005)