The Columbus Consolidated Government
Planning Department
Post Office Box 1340 Columbus, Georgia 31902-1340
Telephone (706) 653-4116
Fax (706) 653-4120
Website: www.columbusga.org/planning
04/21/2017
Honorable Mayor and Councilors
City Manager
City Attorney
Clerk of Council
Subject: REZN-12-16-2478: A request for a text amendment to amend the text of
the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) in regards to Chapter 8 Article 9 ?
Certificate of Occupancy and Chapter 10 Article 8.1 ? Building Permit
Rick Jones, AICP
Director, Planning Department
STAFF REPORT
REZN-12-16-2478: A request for a text amendment to amend the text of the
Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) in regards to Chapter 8 Article 9 ?
Certificate of Occupancy and Chapter 10 Article 8.1 ? Building Permit
APPLICATION
Requested by Inspections and Codes
PROPOSED TEXT AMENDMENT
1. Explanation of Revisions: Amend Chapter 10 Article 8 to remove conflicts of
the definition and requirements for building permits and certificate of
occupancy spelled out in the Columbus Code.
ORIGINAL ORDINANCE PROPOSED ORDINANCE CHANGE
ARTICLE 8. - BUILDING PERMITTING
Section 10.8.1. - Procedure to Obtain a Building Permit.
A. Building Permit Required. A building permit issued by the Director of
Inspections and Codes is required in advance of the initiation of construction,
erection, moving or alteration of any building or structure where the cost of
such construction, erection, moving, or alteration, as estimated by the
Director of Inspections and Codes, will be in excess of $300.00. All structures
shall comply with the requirements of this UDO, whether or not a building
permit is required.
B. Procedure for Approval. The Director of Inspections and Codes shall be
responsible for administering and enforcing the City's building code.
1. Development Permit Required. Prior to issuance of a building permit the
owner shall have received a development permit if required by this UDO.
2. Airport Requirements. Applicants for a building permit or for variances
pertaining to airport requirements shall submit written approval from the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
3. Historic Properties. A material change in the appearance of any historic
property shall not be made until a "Certificate of Appropriateness" has been
approved.
4. Zoning Verification. Prior to issuance of a building zoning permit, a
verification shall be obtained. The following information shall be reviewed
prior to this action.
(A) Single-family or Two-family Dwellings. For a single-family detached or
two-family dwelling, a plat of the lot showing the outline of the principal
building and minimum building setback lines for the lot.
(B) Multifamily or Nonresidential Buildings. For a multifamily or
nonresidential building, the site plan upon which was granted project approval
by the Director of Inspections and Code.
(C) Street Address. A street address number as assigned by the Geographic
Information System Division.
5. Simultaneous Application and Review. An application for a building permit
may proceed simultaneously with an application for project approval of a site
plan, but the permit may not be issued prior to project approval of such site
plan by the Engineering Department.
C. Application for Permit. An application for a building permit shall be made
to Director of the Inspections and Codes. The application shall include the
information listed below.
1. Application Form. Application on the form furnished by the Inspection and
Code Enforcement Department, requesting issuance of a building permit.
2. Reserved.
3. Multifamily or Nonresidential Projects or Uses. For multifamily or
nonresidential projects, three copies of the site plan requesting or reflecting
project approval by the Director of Inspections and Code.
4. Construction Plans.
(A) Number of Copies. Three copies of construction plans for principal
multifamily or nonresidential buildings prepared in conformance with this UDO
and the applicable building codes.
(B) Preparation. Plans shall be prepared by or under the supervision of, or
reviewed and approved by, an architect registered in Georgia, who shall sign
and seal each sheet in the original set of drawings.
5. Health Department. County Health Department approval if an on-site sewage
disposal system has been allowed.
6. Fees. Payment of the building permit application and review fee.
D. Completeness Review. The application will be checked by the Director of
Inspections and Codes for completeness at the time of submission. Incomplete
applications will be returned to the applicant.
E. Comments. Within 30 days following receipt of a complete application, the
Director of Inspections and Codes shall indicate on one copy of the building
plans or in writing all comments related to compliance of the building plans
with this UDO, applicable building codes, and any conditions of zoning
approval.
F. Compliance. The owner shall be responsible for compliance with this UDO and
all building code requirements, regulations, and for the satisfaction of all of
the comments of the Director of Inspections and Codes.
G. Issuance of Building Permit. At such time as the owner has addressed the
comments to the satisfaction of the Director of Inspections and Codes and the
State Fire Marshall, a building permit shall be issued for the structure.
H. Separate Permits. Plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits shall be
issued separately by the Building Inspector or separately identified on the
building permit. Such permits must be issued prior to commencement of work by
each affected trade.
I. Standards for Approval. Issuance of building permits shall comply with the
standards listed below.
1. Location on Lots of Record. Building permits shall only be issued on
buildable lots of record, as defined in this UDO.
2. Uniform Codes Act. Building permits shall be issued in conformance with the
technical codes adopted and amended by the City under the Georgia Uniform Codes
Act.
(Ord. No. 05-32, ? 1, 4-5-05; Ord. No. 09-16, ? 1, 4-3-09)
Section 10.8.2. - Certificate of Occupancy.
A. Certificate of Occupancy Required. It shall be unlawful to use or occupy or
permit the use or occupancy of any building or premises or parts thereof
hereafter created, erected, changed, converted, or wholly or partly altered or
enlarged in its use or structure, until a certificate of occupancy shall have
been issued therefore by the Inspections and Code Enforcement Department
stating that the proposed use of the building or land conforms to the
requirements of this UDO and other applicable codes and ordinances adopted by
the City.
B. Permanent Electrical Power. Permanent electric power may not be supplied to
any structure until a certificate of occupancy shall have been issued and the
power company contacted by the Director of Inspections and Codes.
C. Temporary Certificates. A temporary certificate of occupancy may be issued
for a period not to exceed six months during alterations or partial occupancy
of a building or structure pending its completion. A temporary certificate of
occupancy may include such conditions and safeguards as will protect the safety
of the occupants and the public, and no violation exists.
D. Activities Requiring a Certificate. A Certificate of Occupancy shall be
required for any of the following activities.
1. Occupancy and Use. Prior to occupancy and use of a building or structure,
whether newly constructed or enlarged.
2. Change in Use. Change in use of existing buildings to uses of a different
classification.
3. Change of a Nonconforming Use. Any change in use of a nonconforming use.
E. Records of Certificates. The Director of Inspections and Codes shall
maintain a record of all certificates of occupancy and a copy shall be
furnished upon request to any person.
(Ord. No. 09-16, ? 1, 4-3-09)
ARTICLE 8. - BUILDING PERMITTING
Section 10.8.1. - Procedure to Obtain a Building Permit.
A. Refer to Sec. 8-14.4 of the Columbus Code for Building Permit Requirements
and Fees.
2. Explanation of Revisions: Amend Chapter 8 Article 9.1.A to define building
permits and to reinforce the Georgia Uniform Codes Act.
ORIGINAL ORDINANCE PROPOSED ORDINANCE CHANGE
Section 8.9.1. - Building Permit Required.
A. Issuance of Permits. Building permits for all structures or interior
finishes are issued after complying with the applicable requirements of the
fire prevention and/or life safety code and the various health and building
codes.
Section 8.9.1. - Building Permit Required.
A. Issuance of Permits. When required, building permits shall be issued in
conformance with the technical codes adopted and amended by the City under the
Georgia Uniform Codes Act. Refer to Sec. 8-14.4 of the Columbus Code for
Building Permit Requirements and Fees.
3. Explanation of Revisions: Insert Section G under Chapter 8 Article 9.1 to
remove repetition but keep items needed from repealed Chapter 10 Article 8.
ORIGINAL ORDINANCE PROPOSED ORDINANCE CHANGE
Section 8.9.1. - Building Permit Required.
G. (None) Section 8.9.1. - Building Permit Required.
G. Zoning Verification. Prior to issuance of a building permit, a verification
shall be obtained. The following information shall be reviewed prior to this
action.
(1) Single-family or Two-family Dwellings. For a single-family detached or
two-family dwelling, a plat of the lot showing the outline of the principal
building and minimum building setback lines for the lot.
(2) Multifamily or Nonresidential Buildings. For a multifamily or
nonresidential building, the site plan upon which was granted project approval
by the Director of Inspections and Code.
(3) Street Address. A street address number as assigned by the Geographic
Information System Division.
4. Explanation of Revisions: Insert Section H under Chapter 8 Article 9.1 to
remove repetition but keep items needed from repealed Chapter 10 Article 8.
ORIGINAL ORDINANCE PROPOSED ORDINANCE CHANGE
Section 8.9.1. - Building Permit Required.
H. (None) Section 8.9.1. - Building Permit Required.
H. Simultaneous Application and Review. An application for a building permit
may proceed simultaneously with an application for project approval of a site
plan, but the permit may not be issued prior to project approval of such site
plan by the Engineering Department.
PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Approval
PLANNING DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Approval
MAPS & PHOTOS
N/A
Attachments