For the purposes of the Codes, it is hereby
determined that the following types of permits shall be established
and shall be issued by the authority specified:
A.
Building permit. This type of permit shall cover the
physical structural design in connection with the erection, enlargement,
addition, alteration, conversion, demolition or improvement of any
building or structure within the City of Watertown. Such permit will
be issued by code personnel, provided that all conditions are met
as hereafter set forth in this chapter.
B.
Maintenance or repair permit. This type of permit
shall cover the physical structural work in connection with any and
all repairs or major maintenance work on any building or structure
within the City of Watertown. Such permit will be issued by code personnel,
provided that all conditions are met as hereafter set forth in this
chapter.
C.
Plumbing permit. This type of permit shall cover all
new work, alterations, rearrangements, repairs or replacements to
the plumbing and drainage facilities inside of or connecting to any
building or structure within the City of Watertown. Such permit will
be issued by code personnel, provided that all conditions are met
as hereafter set forth in this chapter.
D.
Electrical permit. This type of permit shall cover
all new work, alterations, rearrangements, repairs or replacements
to the electrical system inside of or connecting to any building or
structure within the City of Watertown. Such permit will only be issued
by code personnel and/or an approved electrical inspection firm or
agency who made the initial inspection, provided that all conditions
are met as hereafter set forth in this chapter.
E.
Heating permit. This type of permit shall cover all
new work, alterations, rearrangements, repairs or replacements to
any heating or heat-producing equipment inside of any building or
structure within the City of Watertown. Such permit will be issued
by code personnel, provided that all conditions are met as hereafter
set forth in this chapter.
F.
Sign permit. This type of permit shall cover the new
installation, alterations, rearrangements, repairs or replacements
to any outdoor sign, billboard or other advertising device within
the City of Watertown. Such permit will be issued by code personnel,
provided that all conditions are met as hereafter set forth in this
chapter.
G.
Operating permit. This type of permit shall be required for conducting the activities or using the categories of buildings specified at § 120-13.1. Such permit will be issued by code personnel, provided that all conditions are met as hereafter set forth in this chapter.
[Added 4-16-2007 by L.L. No. 6-2007]
No person, firm or corporation shall commence
the erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, removal, demolition
or conversion, including the excavation of soil, rock or any earth
therefor, or change the nature of the occupancy of any building or
structure without first applying for and obtaining a building permit
from code personnel for each such building or structure.
A.
Application for building permit. Application for a
building permit shall be made to code personnel on forms provided
and shall contain the information requested on such forms plus any
additional information as may be determined necessary by code personnel
for duly processing such application.
B.
Applicant shall be owner. All applications shall be
signed by the owner of the real property upon which such work is to
be performed. Where such application is made by a person other than
the owner, it shall be accompanied by an affidavit of the owner that
the proposed work is authorized by the owner and that the applicant
is authorized to make such application.
C.
Plans required.
(1)
Each application for a building permit shall be accompanied
by at least two sets of plans and specifications, including a plot
plan drawn to scale identifying the street address and Tax Map number
and showing the location and size of all proposed new construction
and all existing structures on the site and/or adjacent sites, the
occupancy classification of any affected building or structures, the
nature and character of the work to be performed and the materials
to be incorporated, distance from lot lines, the relationship of structures
to adjoining structures, widths and grades of adjoining streets, walks
and alleys and, where required by code personnel, details of structural,
mechanical and electrical work, including computations, stress diagrams
and other essential technical data.
[Amended 4-16-2007 by L.L. No. 6-2007]
(2)
Plans and specifications shall bear the signature
of the person responsible for the design and drawings and, where required
by § 7202 and § 7209 of Article 145 and/or § 7302
of Article 147 of the Education Law of the State of New York, the
seal of a licensed architect or a licensed professional engineer.
(3)
Code personnel may waive the requirement for filing
plans and specifications for minor alterations to any building or
structure, provided that such changes do not affect the structural
safety thereof and/or public safety.
D.
Changes or amendments in plans and/or application.
Changes or amendments, if any, to the application or to the plans
and specifications accompanying the same shall be filed and approval
received from code personnel prior to the commencement of such change
or work.
No person, firm or corporation shall commence
repairs or major maintenance on any building or structure without
first applying for and obtaining a maintenance or repair permit from
code personnel, except in extreme emergency. Any work which does not
alter the size or occupancy of a building shall be deemed as maintenance
or repairs.
A.
Application for maintenance or repair permit. Application
for a maintenance or repair permit shall be made to code personnel
on forms provided and shall contain a brief description of the work
to be done plus any additional information code personnel deem necessary.
B.
Applicant need not be owner. Applications for maintenance
or repair permits need not be signed by the owner of the real property
upon which such work is to be performed, provided that the estimated
cost of such work shall not exceed $2,000.
C.
Plans not required. In general, plans are not required
for maintenance or repair work unless the estimated cost exceeds $2,000.
[Added 4-16-2007 by L.L. No. 6-2007]
A.
Operating permit required.
(1)
Operating permits shall be required for conducting
the activities or using the categories of buildings listed below:
(a)
Manufacturing, storing or handling hazardous
materials in quantities exceeding those listed in Table 2703.1.1 (1),
2703.1.1 (2), 2703.1.1 (3) or 2703.1.1 (4) in the publication entitled
“Fire Code of New York State” and incorporated by reference
in 19 NYCRR 1225.1;
(b)
Hazardous processes and activities, including
but not limited to commercial and industrial operations which produce
combustible dust as a byproduct, fruit and crop ripening, and waste
handling;
(c)
Use of pyrotechnic devices in assembly occupancies;
(d)
Buildings containing one or more areas of public
assembly with an occupant load of 100 persons or more; and
(e)
Buildings whose use or occupancy classification
may pose a substantial potential hazard to public safety, as determined
by resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of Watertown.
B.
Application for operating permit. An application for
an operating permit shall be in writing on a form provided by or otherwise
acceptable to code personnel. Such application shall include such
information as code personnel deem sufficient to permit a determination
by code personnel that quantities, materials, and activities conform
to the requirements of the Uniform Code. If code personnel determine
that tests or reports are necessary to verify conformance, such tests
or reports shall be performed or provided by such person or persons
as may be designated by or otherwise acceptable to code personnel,
at the expense of the applicant.
C.
Inspections. The Code Enforcement Supervisor or an
inspector authorized by the Code Enforcement Supervisor shall inspect
the subject premises prior to the issuance of an operating permit.
D.
Multiple activities. In any circumstance in which more than one activity listed in Subsection A of this section is to be conducted at a location, code personnel may require a separate operating permit for each such activity, or code personnel may, at their discretion, issue a single operating permit to apply to all such activities.
E.
Duration of operating permits. Operating permits shall
remain in effect until reissued, renewed, revoked, or suspended.
F.
Revocation or suspension of operating permits. If
code personnel determine that any activity or building for which an
operating permit was issued does not comply with any applicable provision
of the Uniform Code, such operating permit shall be revoked or suspended.
G.
Fee. The fee specified in, or determined in accordance with, the provisions set forth at § 120-14 of this chapter must be paid at the time of submission of an application for an operating permit, for an amended operating permit, or for reissue or renewal of an operating permit.
[Amended 8-15-2016 by L.L. No. 2-2016]
[Amended 4-16-2007 by L.L. No. 6-2007; 8-15-2016 by L.L. No. 2-2016]
A.
Upon the filing of an application for a building permit
and a maintenance or repair permit, the fees and charges as established
by the Watertown City Council shall be payable. No application shall
be accepted or processed nor any permit issued for which the prescribed
fee has not been paid. Owners of one- and two-family dwellings shall
not be required to pay any fee for a permit for maintenance or repair
work to any such dwelling.
B.
Fees and charges shall be as established at least
annually by the Watertown City Council through a budget resolution
that adopts a City Fees and Charges Schedule. Said schedule shall
be available to the public at the office of the Watertown City Clerk.
C.
Additional fee. In the event that an application for
any required permit is not submitted prior to commencement of the
applicable work, an additional fee of $50 shall be payable.
D.
Partial refund of permit fee. In the event that an
application for a building permit is not approved, the applicant shall
be entitled to a refund of 50% of the fee paid, provided that no construction
work has been started. The City's administrative officials are hereby
authorized to pay such refunds from Expenditures Account 260, Judgments
and Claims, upon application signed by the person or persons who paid
the permit fee.
A.
Approval of application.
(1)
Code personnel shall examine or cause to be examined
all applications for permits and the plans, specifications and documents
filed therewith. He or she shall approve or disapprove the application
within 30 days of receipt of said application.
(2)
Upon approval of the application, he or she shall
issue a building permit to the applicant. The permit shall carry his
or her original signature or the original signature of his or her
authorized deputy, agent or representative.
(3)
Upon approval of the application, the plans and specifications
shall be endorsed with the word "approved," and such approved plans
and specifications shall be retained in the files of the Bureau of
Code Enforcement. Any major changes or deficiencies shall be brought
to the attention of the owner, and such changes will be made, and
amended plans and/or specifications shall be resubmitted for final
approval. Minor changes will be marked on the plans and duly noted
in the appropriate place on the permit application. Such changes shall
have the same effect as if the plans and/or specifications are actually
amended.
B.
Disapproval of application. If the application, together
with plans, specifications and other documents filed therewith, describes
proposed work which does not conform to all of the requirements of
the applicable building regulations, code personnel shall disapprove
the same and shall return the plans and specifications to the applicant.
Upon the request of the applicant, code personnel shall cause such
refusal, together with the reasons therefor, to be transmitted to
the applicant in writing.
Code personnel may revoke a building permit
in the following instances:
A.
Where he or she finds that there has been any false
statement or misrepresentation as to a material fact in the application,
plans or specifications on which the building permit was based.
B.
Where he or she finds that the building permit was
issued in error and should not have been issued in accordance with
the applicable law.
C.
Where he or she finds that the work performed under
the permit is not being prosecuted in accordance with the provisions
of the application, plans or specifications.
D.
Where the person to whom a building permit has been
issued fails or refuses to comply with a stop order issued by code
personnel.
Whenever code personnel have reasonable grounds
to believe that work on any building or structure is being prosecuted
in violation of the provisions of the applicable building laws, ordinances
or regulations or not in conformity with the provisions of an application,
plans or specifications on the basis of which a building permit was
issued, or in an unsafe and dangerous manner, he or she shall notify
the owner of the property or the owner's agent or the person performing
the work to suspend all work. Any such persons shall forthwith stop
such work and suspend all building activities until the stop order
has been rescinded. Such order and notice shall be in writing and
shall state the conditions under which the work may be resumed. It
may be served upon a person to whom it is directed either by delivering
it personally to him or by posting it upon a conspicuous portion of
the building under construction and by sending a copy of it by certified
or registered mail.
A.
No building hereafter erected shall be used or occupied
in whole or in part until a certificate of occupancy shall have been
issued by code personnel.
B.
No building hereafter enlarged, extended or altered
or upon which work has been performed which required the issuance
of a building permit shall continue to be occupied or used for more
than 30 days after the completion of the alteration or work unless
a certificate of occupancy shall have been issued by code personnel.
C.
No change shall be made in the use or type of occupancy
of an existing building unless a certificate of occupancy authorizing
such change shall have been issued by code personnel.
The owner or his or her authorized agent shall
make application for a certificate of occupancy. Accompanying this
application there shall be filed an affidavit of the registered architect
or licensed professional engineer who filed the original plans, or
of the registered architect or licensed professional engineer who
supervised the construction of the work, or of the superintendent
of construction who supervised the work and who, by reason of his
or her experience, is qualified to superintend the work for which
the certificate of occupancy is sought. This affidavit shall state
that the deponent has examined the approved plans of the structure
for which a certificate of occupancy is sought, that the structure
has been erected in accordance with approved plans and, as erected,
complies with the law governing building construction, except insofar
as variations therefrom have been legally authorized. Such variations
shall be specified in the affidavit.
A.
Before issuing a certificate of occupancy, code personnel
shall examine or cause to be examined all buildings, structures and
sites for which an application has been filed for a building permit
to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, demolish or change the
use or occupancy. He or she may conduct such inspections as often
as he deems appropriate from time to time during and upon completion
of the work for which a building permit has been issued.
B.
There shall be maintained in the office of the Bureau
of Code Enforcement a record of all such examinations and inspections,
together with a record of findings of violations of the law.
C.
Any inspection requested outside of normal business
hours will be billed at a rate of the usual and customary rate of
such code personnel (with a two-hour minimum charge) in addition to
regular permit fees.
A.
When, after final inspection, it is found that the
proposed work has been completed in accordance with the applicable
building laws, ordinances and regulations and also in accordance with
the application, plans and specifications filed in connection with
the issuance of the building permit, code personnel shall issue a
certificate of occupancy. If it is found that the proposed work has
not been properly completed, code personnel shall refuse to issue
a certificate of occupancy and shall order the work completed in conformity
with the building permit and in conformity with the applicable building
regulations. A certificate of occupancy shall be issued, where appropriate,
within 30 days after application therefor is made.
B.
The certificate of occupancy shall specify the use
or uses and the extent thereof to which the building or structure
or its several parts may be put.
A.
Upon request, code personnel may issue a provisional
certificate of occupancy for a building or structure, or part thereof,
before the entire work covered by the building permit shall have been
completed, provided that such portion or portions as have been completed
may be occupied safely without endangering life or the public welfare.
A provisional certificate of occupancy shall remain effective for
a period as specified in said certificate.
B.
Fees. The fees for certificates of occupancy and provisional
certificates of occupancy shall be as established at least annually
by the Watertown City Council through a budget resolution that adopts
a City Fees and Charges Schedule. Said schedule shall be available
to the public at the office of the Watertown City Clerk.
[Amended 8-15-2016 by L.L. No. 2-2016]
[Added 4-16-2007 by L.L. No. 6-2007]
The chief of any fire department providing fire-fighting
services for a property within the City of Watertown shall promptly
notify the Code Enforcement Supervisor of any fire or explosion involving
any structural damage, fuel-burning appliance, chimney or gas vent.
Whenever there are reasonable grounds to believe
that any material, construction, equipment or assembly does not conform
to the requirements of the applicable building laws, ordinances or
regulations, code personnel may require the owner to cause the same
to be subjected to certified laboratory or field tests in order to
furnish proof of such compliance.
Any architect, builder, agent, corporation,
owner, plumber or any person having in charge any building or premises
in which there is to be any construction or installation of or any
alteration of any plumbing or drainage, a plumber licensed by the
City of Watertown shall procure a permit from code personnel for such
work before beginning the same. Such permit must be kept and displayed
upon the premises for which it was issued until the completion and
final inspection of the work.
