Chapter 18

 

 

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION

 

 

§ 18-1.  Title, Enactment, Effective Date, Intent

§ 18-2.  Findings

§ 18-3.  Definitions

§ 18-4.  Appointment of Building Inspector/Acting Building Inspector

§ 18-5.  Restrictions on Building Inspector.

§ 18-6.  Duties and powers of Building Inspector.

§ 18-7.  Architectural Review Committee.

§ 18-8.  Application for building permits.

§ 18-9.  Building application fees.

§ 18-10.  Issuance of building permits.

§ 18-11.  Term; applicability of zoning provisions.

§ 18-12.  Limitations, time of construction and delivery of material.

§ 18-13.  Revocation of building permits.

§ 18-14.  Stop-work orders.

§ 18-15.  Certificate of occupancy.

§ 18-16.  Inspection.

§ 18-17.  Issuance.

§ 18-18.  Temporary certificate of occupancy.

§ 18-19.  Tests.

§ 18-20.  Assurance of building safety.

§ 18-21.  Penalties for offenses.

§ 18-22. Abatement of violations.

§ 18-23. Suspension, denial or revocation of building permits.

§ 18-24. Costs of municipal services to be divided.

§ 18-25. Severability and Validity

 

GENERAL REFERENCES

 

Fire prevention - See Ch. 25.

Flood damage prevention - See Ch. 28.

Planning Commission - See Ch. 42.

Zoning - See Ch. 55.

The New York State Building Code was adopted by resolution of the Board 6-12-1954 and a copy is on file in the office of the Village Clerk

 

 

 

 

 

§ 18-1. Title, Enactment, Effective Date, Intent.

 

A.                 This Local Law shall be entitled “Local Law 4 of 2006 Amending Chapter 18, Building Construction Administration, of the Saltaire Village Code.”

B.                 Pursuant to Section 10 of the Municipal Home Rule Law, the Executive Law, the General Municipal Law and the Village Law of the State of New York, the Incorporated Village of Saltaire, County of Suffolk and State of New York, hereby enacts by this Local Law 4 of 2006, a Local Law of the Village of Saltaire to amend Chapter 18 of the Village Code of the Village of Saltaire.

C.                 This Local Law shall take effect on the filing of the approved Local Law with the Secretary of State of New York, which shall be within twenty (20) days after its approval by the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Saltaire. 

D.                 The purpose and intent of this Local Law is to amend and restate Chapter 18 of the Saltaire Village Code by amending and re-numbering, and all buildings, structures and premises, regardless of use of occupancy, are subject to the provisions of this local law.

 

§ 18-2.    Findings.

 

  The Board of Trustees of the Village of Saltaire has determined that due to the unique character and environment of the Village of Saltaire, it is in the best interest of its residents to strictly regulate the type, extent and timing of all building and construction that occurs within its borders. The Village of Saltaire is located on a barrier island, access to which is achieved primarily via waterborne transportation. The Village of Saltaire is a residential community with only two commercial establishments, the majority of whose residents use and enjoy their homes primarily during the summer season. All structures in the Village are of wooden construction, are located fairly close to one another on small lots, and are accessed via narrow, elevated wooden boardwalks. The Village has a strong history of strictly regulating and enforcing restrictions on excessive noise in order to preserve the natural peace and tranquility of the beach environment during the summer season when most residents are enjoying their homes. Therefore, the Board of Trustees has determined that the modification of the Chapter 18 is necessary in order to continue to effectively regulate the time period allowed for construction activity so as to allow the peaceful enjoyment by its residents of their homes and surrounding environment during the summer season, to continue to safely and effectively control the flow of building materials on over-burdened and heavily traveled boardwalks during the summer season, to assure that building practices meet the minimum standards of fire and building safety as required by all relevant federal, state and local building Codes, and to assure the effective administration of all construction within the borders of the Village of Saltaire according to the regulations of the Saltaire Village Code.

 

 

 

§ 18-3.             Definitions

 

  The following words and phrases when used in this Chapter shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section:

 

                        ALTERATION – The reconfiguration of any space, the addition or elimination of any door or window, the reconfiguration or extension of any system, or the installation of any additional equipment.

 

                        APPLICANT – Any homeowner or contractor, builder, architect, engineer or any other person or entity who acts on behalf of the homeowner in making an application for a building permit under this Chapter.

 

                        BUILDER OR CONTRACTOR – Any person or entity other than the homeowner who performs any work that is covered under this Chapter on any building or structure  in the Village of Saltaire.

 

                        CONSTRUCTION – Any work on a structure, accessory structure or related appurtenances.

 

 

                        CONVERSION – Change of occupancy or use of a building or one-family structure.

 

                        EQUIPMENT – All piping, ducts, vents, control devices and other components of systems other than appliances that are permanently installed and integrated to provide control of environmental conditions for buildings.

 

                        LOAD-BEARING ELEMENT – Any column, girder, beam, joist, truss, rafter, wall, floor or roof sheathing that supports any vertical load in addition to its own weight, and/or any lateral load.

 

                        MAJOR ALTERATION, RENOVATION OR REPAIR – Any alteration, renovation or repair of same or similar nature with a total cost of $7,500 or more over any twelve month period.

 

                        MINOR ALTERATION, RENOVATION OR REPAIR – Any alteration, renovation, replacement or repair of same or similar nature with a total cost not less than $500 or more than $7,500 over any twelve month period.

 

                        RECONSTRUCTION – The reconfiguration of a space that affects an exit, a renovation and/or alteration when the work area is not permitted to be occupied because existing means of egress and fire protection, or their equivalent, are not in place or continuously maintained, or the cost of which is 50% or more of the value of the structure prior to the start of the work.

 

                        RENOVATION – The change, strengthening or addition of load-bearing elements; and/or the removal and replacement or the covering of existing materials, elements, equipment and/or fixtures using new materials, elements, equipment and or fixtures that serve the same purpose without reconfiguring the space.

 

                        REPAIR – The patching, restoration and/or minor replacement of materials, elements, components, equipment and/or fixtures for the purposes of maintaining such materials elements, components, equipment and/or fixtures in good or sound condition.

 

                        REPLACEMENT – Replacement in similar or like kind of some or all of the elements of a structure.

 

 

 

 

§ 18-4. Appointment of Building Inspector/ Acting Building Inspector

 

A.                 The Board may appoint a Building Inspector whose compensation and term of office shall be fixed by the Board.

 

B.                 In the absence of the Building Inspector, or in the case of his inability to act for any reason, the Board may appoint a person to act in his behalf and to exercise all of the powers conferred upon him by this Chapter. The term of appointment for the Acting Building Inspector shall not exceed eighteen (18) months, and any reference hereinafter made to the Building Inspector shall be deemed to include the Acting Building Inspector for the term of his appointment. The term of the Acting Building Inspector shall terminate automatically on the appointment of the Building Inspector.

 

 

§ 18-5. Restrictions on Building Inspector.

 

  The Building Inspector shall not engage in any activity inconsistent with his duties or with the interest of the Village; nor shall he, during the term of his appointment, be engaged directly or indirectly in any building business, in the furnishing of labor, materials or appliances for the construction, conversion reconstruction, renovation, replacement, alteration, repair or maintenance of a building or structure, or the preparation of plans or specifications therefor. This provision shall not prohibit the Building Inspector from such activities in connection with the construction of a building or structure owned and to be occupied by him; nor are such activities in conjunction with Village-owned buildings and structures prohibited by this section; nor shall it prohibit any person from holding the office of Building Inspector together with or as an additional duty to any other appointive office of the Village.

 

 

§ 18-6. Duties and powers of Building Inspector.

 

A.                 Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, ordinance or regulation, or except as herein otherwise provided, the Building Inspector shall administer and enforce all of the provisions of law, ordinances and regulations applicable to the construction,, conversion, reconstruction, renovation, alteration, repair, removal and demolition of buildings and structures, and the installation and use of materials and equipment therein and thereon and the location, use, occupancy and maintenance thereof.

 

B.                 He shall receive applications and issue permits for the construction, conversion reconstruction, renovation, alteration, repair, removal and demolition of buildings and structures, and the installation and use of materials and equipment therein and thereon of buildings or structures or parts thereof and shall examine the premises for which such applications have been received or such permits have been issued, for the purpose of ensuring compliance with applicable laws, ordinances and regulations.

 

C.                 He shall review all applications for building permits to ensure that all necessary permits have been obtained from those federal, state or local governmental agencies from which prior approval is required. [Added 9-29-1979 by L.L. No. 1, 1979]

 

D.                 He shall verify and record the actual elevation, in relation to mean sea level, of the lowest habitable floor of all new or substantially altered structures at such intervals during the construction process as determined by the building inspector at his sole discretion. [Added 9-29-1979 by L.L. No. 1, 1979]

 

E.                  He shall issue all appropriate notices or orders to remove illegal or unsafe conditions, to require the necessary safeguards during construction and to ensure compliance during the entire course of construction with the requirements of such laws, ordinances or regulations. He shall make all inspections which are necessary or proper for the carrying out of his duties. The application for and acceptance of a building permit by an applicant shall be deemed to be and shall be consent and permission by that applicant or the owner for whom the applicant is working for the Building Inspector to enter the property that is the subject of the permit for the purpose of making an inspection of the property and work.

 

 

F.                  Whenever the same may be necessary or appropriate to assure compliance with the provisions of applicable laws, ordinances and regulations, he may require the performance of tests in the field by experienced professional persons or by accredited and authoritative testing laboratories or service bureaus or agencies, the cost of which will be borne by the owner or contractor pursuant to §18-19 of this Chapter.

 

G.                 The Building Inspector shall keep permanent official records of all transactions and activities conducted by him, including all applications, together with accompanying documents as prescribed under § 18-8 (D) of this Chapter, and copies of all permits and certificates issued. The clerk of the Village may maintain the official records of the Building Inspector. All such records shall be public records open for inspection during business hours.

 

H.                 The Building Inspector shall submit annually to the Board a written report and summary of all business conducted, including permits and certificates issued, fees collected, orders and notices promulgated, inspections and tests made and appeals or litigation pending.

 

 

 

§ 18-7. Architectural Review Committee. [Amended 9-29-1979 by L.L. No. 1, 1979]

 

  An Architectural Review Committee, consisting of up to three (3) members to be appointed by the Board for terms of three (3) years, is hereby created. The Committee shall review all surveys, building plans and applications for building permits for major alterations, renovations or repairs to ascertain compliance with the provisions of this Chapter and Chapter 55, relating to zoning, of this Code. Members of the Architectural Review Committee shall serve without compensation. The Architectural Review Committee shall respond in writing to the Building Inspector within 45 days of submission to them of request for review of major alteration, renovation or repair.

 

 

§ 18-8. Application for building permits. [Amended 5-27-2002 by L.L. No. 3, 2002]

 

A.                 No person or entity shall commence or continue the erection, construction, reconstruction, enlargement, removal, improvement, demolition, conversion, alteration, renovation or repair, or change in the nature of the occupancy of any building or structure or appurtenance, or cause the same to be done without first obtaining a separate building permit for each such building or structure or appurtenance, except that no building permit shall be required for the performance of ordinary repairs which satisfy all of the following conditions:

(1)               The materials for which cost less than $500 in any one instance but no more than an aggregate of $1,000 for the same or similar work over the course of any twelve month period.

(2)               Do not effect any load-bearing element.

(3)               Do not effect sprinklers, required fire separations and exits or any other fire safety feature.

(4)               Do not involve any additions to or enlargement of the building or appurtenances.

(5)               Do not involve any change in the use of the building.

 

 

B.                 Notwithstanding the exceptions for a building permit in subsection (A) of this section, the following work shall require a building permit:

 

(1)               Installation or replacement of any windows

(2)               Installation or replacement of any exterior siding

(3)               Installation or replacement of any wood or tile flooring

(4)               Replacement of finished roofing in any 12 month period comprising more than 25% of the area of a roof.

(5)               Installation or replacement of solar panels.

(6)               Replacement of top deck boards on any deck, platform or ramp in any 12 month period comprising more than 25% of the area of the deck, platform or ramp .

(7)               Installation or replacement of solid fuel burning heating appliances and associated chimneys and flues.

(8)               Installation, or extension of electrical systems or system components; or replacement or repair of more than 25% of the existing electrical system or system components in any twelve month period.

(9)               Installation, or extension of plumbing systems or system components; or replacement or repair of more than 25% of the existing plumbing system or system components in any twelve month period.

(10)           Installation of electric, oil or geothermal HVAC system or replacement or extension of more than 25% of same.

 

C.                 An application for a building permit shall be made to the Building Inspector, on a form provided by him, by the owner or the builder employed in connection with the proposed work. Chapter 18, Chapter 20, Chapter 28 and Chapter 55 of this Code, shall be deemed to the part of the submittal and shall constitute an integral part of the building application. The application must be signed by the owner or the builder which shall include a statement that  Chapter 18, Chapter 20, Chapter 28 and Chapter 55 of this Code are understood by the applicant and the compliance to all of the provisions thereof by the applicant is part of the conditions of the issuance  of a building permit. [Amended 4-22-1978 by L.L. No. 3, 1978; 9-29-1979 by L.L. No. 1, 1979; 11-13-1999 by L.L. No.4, 1999]

 

D.                 Each application for a building permit for new construction shall be accompanied by proof of ownership; four (4) copies of a plot survey by a surveyor licensed by the State of New York acceptable at the sole discretion of the Building Inspector as being sufficiently recent for the purpose of  reviewing the application, on which are shown the points of highest and lowest elevation base flood elevation in relation to mean sea level, as defined in Chapter 28 of this Code, the height above mean sea level of the highest point of construction as defined in §55-13 of this Code, and the height above mean sea level of the lowest floor of any new or substantially improved structures to be located in FIRM Zones A1-A30, AE, or AH, or Zone A, or, the proposed elevation in relation to mean sea level of the bottom of the lowest structural member of the lowest floor (excluding pilings and columns) in the case of structures to be located in any new or substantially improved structure in Zones V1-V30 or VE, or Zone V building line and deck setbacks, the location of all contemplated structures, including but not limited to buildings, decks, entrance walks, sewerage tank, bicycle racks, platform or enclosure for garbage containers; and four (4) copies of plans incorporating such construction detail as called for on the application for building permit form and certificates of insurance as required under § 18-10D of this Chapter.

 

E.                  Each application for a building permit for either new construction or for conversion reconstruction, renovation, alteration, repair, removal and demolition of buildings and structures, or for the installation and use of materials and equipment therein to an existing structure shall indicate:

 

(1)               The elevations in relation to base flood elevation applicable to the proposed structure as provided in §18-8 (C) of this Chapter. In the event that base flood elevation data are unavailable a permit applicant shall comply with the provisions of subdivision (11) of §28-13 of this Code.

 

(2)               Plans for walls, if any, to be used to enclose space below the base flood level.

 

(3)               Such other information as the Building Inspector may, from time to time, require to enable him to determine compliance with the provisions of this Chapter, Chapter 20 relating to Coastal Erosion, Chapter 28, relating to flood damage prevention, Chapter 55, relating to zoning of this Code.

 

F.                  No variations or changes in contemplated work as covered by the original application may take place without the prior submission of an application amendment, payment of appropriate amendment fees and written approval of the Building Inspector.

 

G.                 The application for and acceptance of a building permit by an applicant shall be deemed to be and shall be consent and permission by that applicant or the owner for                    whom the applicant is working for the Building Inspector to enter the property that is the subject of the permit for the purpose of making an inspection of the property  and work.

 

 

 

§ 18-9. Building application fees.

 

A.                 Building application fees and other charges, as the Board may from time to time determine, shall accompany each application for a building permit.

 

B.                 In the event that an application for a building permit is not approved, the applicant shall be entitled to a refund of fifty percent (50%) of the fee paid.

 

C.                 All applications for building permits may at the sole discretion of the Building Inspector be accompanied by a deposit in such amount as the Board shall from time to time determine to ensure the clearance of building debris from the site. This sum will be refunded after discarded materials have been removed by the applicant.

 

D.                 In the event that an application is submitted for an alteration, construction, conversion, repair, replacement, or other work that has already been completed or substantially completed in the sole discretion of the Building Inspector at the time of the filing of the application, the relevant fees for that application shall be doubled the amount that the fees otherwise would have been.

 

 

 

§ 18-10.           Issuance of building permits.

 

A.                 The effective date of a building permit for new construction, conversion, reconstruction, major alteration, renovations or repairs, replacement, removal and demolition  of buildings and structures, and the installation and use of materials and equipment therein shall be the date of its issuance; however, the date for commencing construction pursuant to an issued permit, completed application for which is received after November 30 and before September 15 of the subsequent year, may be deemed to be September 16 at the sole discretion of the Building Inspector if he determines that there is not reasonable likelihood that the construction will be complete pursuant to §18-12 of this Chapter. [Amended 9-29-1979 by L.L. No. 1, 1979; 7-15-1983 by L.L. No. 5, 1983]

 

B.                 The effective commencement date and completion date of a building permit for minor alterations, renovations or repairs shall be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Building Inspector. [Added 9-29-1979 by L.L. No. 1, 1979]

 

C.                 Upon approval of the application and upon receipt of the prescribed fees therefor, the Building Inspector shall issue a building permit to the applicant upon the form prescribed and shall affix his signature thereto.[Amended 9-29-1979 by L.L. No. 1, 1979]

 

D.                 Upon approval of the application, two sets of plans and specifications shall be endorsed with the word "approved." One (1) set of such approved plans and specifications shall be retained in the files of the Building Inspector, and the other set shall be returned to the applicant, together with the building permit, and shall be kept at the building site open to inspection by the Building Inspector or his authorized representative.

 

E.                  If the application, together with plans, specifications and other documents filed therewith, describes proposed work which does not conform to all of the applicable laws, ordinances and regulations, the Building Inspector shall disapprove the same and shall return the plans and specifications to the applicant.

 

 

§ 18-11.           Term; applicability of zoning provisions.

 

A.                 A building permit shall authorize the commencement of work in accordance with the application, plans and supporting papers and shall be valid for a period of one (1) year after the date of its issuance, subject to §18-12 of this Chapter. The permit may be renewed for a maximum period of one year from the original termination date of the permit upon application and payment of the necessary fee that has been set by the Board for such renewals. The renewal may only be granted by the Building Inspector if all conditions of the original or amended permit application remain unchanged and in compliance with the conditions of the permit.

 

B.                 The issuance of a building permit shall not constitute a waiver, variance or other change of the applicability of this Chapter or of Chapter 20 relating to Coastal Erosion , or of Chapter 28, relating to flood damage prevention, or of Chapter 55, relating to zoning, of this Code, which Chapters shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the issuance of any permit. [Amended 9-29-1979 by L.L. No. 1, 1979; 11-13-99 by L.L. No 4, 1999]

 

 

§ 18-12. Limitations, time of construction and delivery of materials.

 

A.                 No work relating to any construction, conversion, reconstruction, renovation, replacement, alteration or repair of any portion of any building, structure or appurtenance outside the enclosed areas of any building or structure or parts thereof, or relating to any removal and demolition of buildings and structures or parts thereof, or relating to the installation and use of materials and equipment on the exterior of buildings or structures or parts thereof,  may commence, continue or otherwise be performed from 5:00 p.m. on the Friday preceding Memorial Day through September 15 of any year, without written exception of this section by the Building Inspector for extenuating circumstances or emergency repairs issued at the sole discretion of the Building Inspector. For the purposes of this section, all pilings and any portion of any exterior building wall, roof, deck, privacy wall, platform, ramp, exterior staircase or fencing are deemed to be construction outside the enclosed areas of any building or structure or parts thereof. [Amended 9-29-1979 by L.L. No. 1, 1979; 7-15-1983 by L.L. No. 5, 1983]

 

B.                 Interior finishing work may be continued within any building that is enclosed by finished exterior walls and roofs, and whose interior walls, floors and all construction outside the enclosed areas, including decks, walls and any other platforms are complete in their entirety, or have received a written exception to subsection (A) of this section, provided that all such interior finish work must be completed no later than 5:00 p.m. June 15, and then only within the enclosed area, and only between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday. [Amended 9-29-1979 by L.L. No. 1, 1979; 7-15-1983 by L.L. No. 5, 1983]

 

C.                 No building materials for use in construction,, conversion reconstruction, renovation, replacement, alteration, repair, removal and demolition of buildings and structures, and the installation and use of materials and equipment therein or thereon shall be delivered to the site between the Friday preceding Memorial Day of any year and September 15 of the same year, except such materials as, in the opinion of the Building Inspector, constitute finishing materials allowed in subsection (B) of this section, or for use in work allowed by a written exception as provided in subsection (A) of this section, or for use in emergency repair for which a proper building permit was issued by the Building Inspector. No materials shall be delivered at any time for any work that would require a building permit pursuant to §18-8 of this Chapter unless a building permit has been formally issued and is in the possession of the builder or homeowner at the time of such delivery.

 

D.                 Each builder, contractor, plumber or electrician who applies for a permit pursuant to this Chapter or is engaged in construction within the village, must have in force, at the start of such activities and maintained throughout the period that the permit is in effect or extended: