§ 15.12.030. Permit issuance

A. Issuance. The application, plans, specifications, computations and other data filed by an applicant for permit shall be reviewed by the building official. Such plans may be reviewed by other departments of this jurisdiction to verify compliance with any applicable laws under their jurisdiction. If the building official finds that the work described in an application for a permit and the plans, specifications and other data filed therewith conform to the requirements of this code and the Specialty Codes and other pertinent laws and ordinances, and that the fees specified in Section 15.12.040 have been paid, the building official shall issue a permit therefore to the applicant.

When a permit is issued when plans are required, the building official 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 official, and all work regulated by this code shall be done in accordance with the approved plans.

The building official may issue a permit for the construction of part of a building, structure or building service equipment before the entire plans and specifications for the whole building, structure or building service equipment have been submitted or approved, provided adequate information and detailed statements have been filed complying with all pertinent requirements of the Specialty Codes. The holder of a partial permit shall proceed without assurance that the permit for the entire building, structure or building service will be granted.

B. Retention of Plans. One set of approved plans, specifications and computations shall be retained by the building official for a period of not less than ninety (90) days from the date of completion of the work covered therein; and one set of approved plans and specifications shall be returned to the applicant and shall be kept on the site of the building or work at all items during which the work authorized thereby is in progress.

C. Validity of Permit. The issuance 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 the Specialty Codes, or of any other ordinance of the jurisdiction. Permits presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this code or of 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 official from thereafter requiring the correction of errors in the plans, specifications and other data, or from preventing building operations being carried on thereunder when in violation of these codes or of any other ordinances of this jurisdiction.

D. Expiration. Every permit issued by the building official under the provisions of the Specialty Codes shall expire by limitation and become null and void, if the building or work authorized by such permit is not commenced within one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of such permit, or if the building or work authorized by such permit is suspend or abandoned at any time after the work is commenced for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days. Before such work can be recommenced, a new permit shall be first obtained to do so, and the fee therefor shall be one-half the amount retired 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 provided further 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.

A 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 official may tend the time for action by the permittee for a period not exceeding one hundred eighty (180) days upon written request by the permittee showing that circumstances beyond the control of the permittee have prevented action from being taken. Permits shall not be extended more than once.

E. Suspension or Revocation. The building official may, in writing, suspend or revoke a permit issued under the provisions of this code and the Specialty Codes when the permit is issued in error or on the basis of incorrect information supplied, or in violation of an ordinance or regulation or the provisions of these codes.

(Prior code § 9.303)