This chapter shall be enforced by the Commissioner of Public Works or his or her authorized representatives. No building permit or certificate of occupancy shall be issued by said Commissioner, or his or her authorized representatives, except where all the provisions of this chapter have been complied with.
No building or structure shall be erected, added to or structurally altered until a permit therefor has been issued by the Commissioner of Public Works or his or her authorized representative. All applications for such permits shall be in accordance with the requirements of the Building Code (see Chapter
193, Building Construction) and all real property taxes and water and sewer charges must be paid before a building permit can be issued for a particular property. Building permits must be displayed prominently on the property for which such permit has been issued. In the discretion of the Commissioner of Public Works or his or her authorized representative, building permits may be deemed unnecessary only for the following types of work:
A. Necessary repairs which do not materially affect structural features or change the use of the building;
B. Alterations to existing buildings where the use of the building is not changed and which cost less than $10,000 (as measured in January 1, 2000, dollars); do not materially affect structural features; do not affect firesafety features, such as smoke detectors, sprinklers, required fire separations and exits; do not involve the installation or extension of electrical systems; and do not include the installation of solid-fuel-burning heating appliances and associated chimneys and flues; or
C. The construction of small, noncommercial structures not intended for use by one or more persons as quarters for living, sleeping, eating or cooking, such as a storage shed, so long as the structure is no greater than 100 square feet in floor space.
Whenever a violation of this chapter occurs, any person may file a complaint in regard thereto. All such complaints shall be filed with the Department of Public Works, which shall properly record such complaint and immediately investigate the same, and which may bring such complaint before a court of competent jurisdiction.
[Amended 4-4-2017]
A violation of any provision of this chapter is an offense punishable by a fine of not less than $250 nor more than $1,000, or by imprisonment for a period not exceeding 15 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Each day that a violation is permitted to exist shall constitute a separate offense.
In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this chapter shall be held to be minimum requirements adopted for the promotion of the public health, morals, safety or the general welfare. Whenever the requirements of this chapter are at variance with the requirements of any other lawfully adopted rules, regulations or ordinances, the most restrictive, or that imposing the highest standards, shall govern.