07-27-2015 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION DATE: July 27, 2015 ITEM NO: 4 _____________________________________________________________________________________ Department Approval: Administrator Reviewed: Agenda Section: Name Jeremy Barnhart JML Planning Department Report Title Community Development Director _____________________________________________________________________________________ Item Description: 15‐3712 Amend City Code Section 86‐70 Re: Building Permit Expiration _____________________________________________________________________________________ Purpose. In some situations, the length of time between the start and finish of a building project causes negative impacts, affecting the health and safety of the neighborhood being exposed to ongoing construction zones, exposed soils, and unfinished structures. Unfinished structures can be prone to intrusion, both from the weather and from vandals. In response, staff proposes clarification to the requirement to complete a project within a reasonable period of time. Additionally, amendments are proposed to make align city ordinance with applicable authority. Background. Existing Municipal Code Section 86‐70 entitled “Permit Expiration” regulates the time period for which building permits are valid. Its requirement that buildings (interior and exterior) be completed within a specified period of time may be challenging to enforce as the building code does not give cities that authority. In response, the draft ordinance requires the exterior of the building to be completed within a specific period of time (180 days). This is intended to protect neighborhoods from the disruptive nature of ongoing exterior construction. Interior modifications could conceivably go on for several years, so long as work continues as required by the building code. An abandoned permit, which includes a building permit in which no work has been completed within 180 days, would require a new building permit issued, and fees paid. List of Exhibits Draft Ordinance COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED: Staff recommends approval of the ordinance as drafted.