Columbus, Georgia

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

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

• REZN-12-16-2478 Text Amendment_signed.pdf