HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESOLUTION NO. 2024-53RESOLUTION 2024-53
A RESOLUTION REVISING THE BUILDING PERMIT POLICY
WHEREAS, the City of Fairfax has a building department which issues
building permits, temporary occupancy certificates, and permanent occupancy
certificates, and;
WHEREAS, the City of Fairfax wishes to establish a policy to guide staff and
residents through the process of issuing these documents, and;
WHEREAS, the City of Fairfax City Council wishes to regulate residential,
commercial, industrial and agricultural buildings for safety, access and future
planning within the city limits of Fairfax Iowa;
WHEREAS, staff has developed a policy and Hall and Hall Engineers have
reviewed this policy and both are recommending its approval.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City
of Fairfax, Iowa, that the attached Building Permit Policy is hereby adopted.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Clerk/Treasurer
are hereby authorized and directed to execute said resolution.
Passed and approved this 9th day of July, 2024.
AYES: Nurre, Wozniak, Volk, and Wainwright
NAYS: None
AB SENT: Daly
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JoAnn Beer, Mayor
ATTEST:
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C nthia K. Stimson
ity Clerk/Treasurer
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CITY OF FAIRFAX IOWA BUILDING PERMIT POLICY
SECTION 1: Requirements of a Residential Building Permit Application
Property owners or their authorized contractor must apply for a City of Fairfax Building Permit
as required by Chapter 153, of the City of Fairfax Code of Ordinances. An application must be
received in its entirety before the Building Administrator will review and take action on the
application. The following documents are required:
1. Base Application Fortn with all relevant information completed and signed by the
property owner or their authorized contractor.
2. Site Plan with all of the items on the City of Fairfax Site Plan Checklist for Multiple
Family, Commercial, and Industrial Sites (see the end of this policy) if applicable,
and the following shown and labeled: streets, address, lot dimensions, lot pin
placement, existing structures, proposed project, distance from all property lines to
any structure, distance between structures, utilities on property, and all existing
easements.
3. Two sets of printed project plans or one electronic copy. The project plans should be
at least 8.5" x 11 ", show all elevations, foundations, floors, cross sections, roof, and
stairs.
4. Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing sub-application forms as needed for the project
with all relevant information completed and signed by the property owner or a
contractor licensed with the State of Iowa.
An erosion control plan and the final lot drainage plan must be submitted with the
application. These must show dumpster placement, portable toilet placement,
concrete clean out, erosion control placement, and final storm water drainage.
6. A certificate of insurance for all contractors, subcontractors, or property owners,
which is currently valid and meets the requirements of Chapter 153. If the insurance
certificate will expire during the project, another certificate will be required at
expiration.
7. Permit fees are payable to the City of Fairfax. Cash, check, or debit/credit cards are
accepted as payment. Fees are to be paid at Fairfax City Hall, 300 80th Street Court,
in Fairfax during regular office hours and must be paid before the permit is issued and
then picked up.
8. No work may begin on the project until a valid City of Fairfax Building Permit has
been issued.
9. All Ciry of Fairfax building permits are valid for one year from the issue date. If the
project is not completed within that year, a new permit must be issued for the
remaining work.
SECTION 2: Requirements of a Commercial, Industrial and Agricultural Building Permit
Application
Property owners or their authorized contractor must apply for a City of Fairfax Building Permit
as required by Chapter 153, of the City of Fairfax Code of Ordinances. An application must be
received in its entirety before the building department will review and take action on the
application. The following documents are required:
Base Application Form with all relevant information completed and signed by the
property owner or their authorized contractor.
2. Site Plan with all of the items on the City of Fairfax Site Plan Checklist for Multiple
Family, Agricultural, Commercial, and Industrial Sites (see the end of this policy) and
the following shown and labeled: streets, address, lot dimensions, lot pin placement,
existing structures, proposed project, distance from all property lines to any structure,
distance between structures, utilities on property, and all existing easements. All
commercial site plans must include a stamp by a registered design professional.
3. Two sets of printed project plans or one electronic copy. The project plans should be
at least 8.5" x 11", show all elevations, foundations, floors, cross sections, roof, and
stairs. All commercial and industrial project plans must include a stamp by a
registered design professional.
4. Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing sub-application forms as needed for the project
with all relevant information completed and signed by the property owner or a
contractor licensed with the State of Iowa.
5. An erosion control plan and the iinal lot drainage plan must be submitted with the
application, if less than one acre will be disturbed. These must show dumpster
placement, portable toilet placement, concrete clean out, erosion control placement,
and final storm water drainage.
6. A certificate of insurance for all contractors, subcontractors, or property owners,
which is currently valid and meets the requirements of Chapter 153. If the insurance
certificate will expire during the project, another certificate will be required at
expiration.
7. Commercial, industrial and Agricultural Building Permit Applications that are for
interior remodels may be reviewed and issued without City Council approval, at the
discretion of the Building Administrator.
Commercial, industrial and agricultural Building Permit Applications that are for a
new building or an addition must be submitted according to the City of Fairfax's
submittal schedule, allowing enough time for the building department, city engineer,
and City Council to review and take action.
9. The City of Fairfax may enlist the assistance of the Linn County Planning and
Development Department for commercial, industrial and agricultural Building Permit
Applications at the discretion of the Building Administrator. If so needed, application
paperwork will be required on both the City of Fairfax and Linn County forms. All
permitting, fee payments, and calls for inspections will be done through the Fairfax
Building Department.
10. Permit fees are payable to the City of Fairfax. Cash, check, or debit/credit cards are
accepted as payment. Fees are to be paid at Fairfax City Hall, 300 80th Street Court,
in Fairfax during regular office hours and must be paid before the permit is issued and
then picked up.
11. No work may begin on the project until a valid City of Fairfax Building Permit has
been issued.
12. All City of Fairfax building permits are valid for one year from the issue date. If the
project is not completed within that year, a new permit must be issued for the
remaining work.
SECTION 3: Requirements for Building Permit Applications in Areas Newly Developed
The City of Fairfax's regular procedure is to have all public improvements completed and
accepted before a Final Plat is approved for any development.
The City of Fairfax acknowledges that there may be rare occasions when this is not possible.
The City Council is the final authority to decide if a Final Plat may be approved before all of the
public improvements are completed and accepted, but in no case will they consider doing so
without the following conditions, unless a special exception is granted.
1. A surety bond or letter of credit will be supplied by the developer for all remaining
public improvement work.
2. No building permit will be issued in a development unless the following are
completed:
a. Water service available at the location, with fire hydrants installed
b. Sewer service available at the location
c. Streets paved to the location and dead end streets must have the required
turnarounds in place according to the City of Fairfax's specifications
d. Storm sewer facilities in place for the location
Building permits issued in this instance will be considered "At Their Own Risk"
permits.
4. No Permanent Occupancy Certificates will be issued until all public improvements
are completed and accepted.
5. The number of "At Risk Building Permits" will be limited in number to no more than
10% of the total lots numbered in the current phase or addition of the development.
6. "At Risk Building Permits" will only be issued for six months after the Final Plat is
accepted. After that time, the public improvements will need to be completed and
accepted by the City of Fairfax before any other building permits will be issued.
SECTION 4: Occupancy Certifcates
The City of Fairfax issues a Permanent Occupancy Certiiicate at the completion of all projects
according to Chapter 153 of the Fairfax Code of Ordinances. In the situation of a multi-unit
building, a Permanent Occupancy Certiiicate may be issued per unit, at the discretion of the
Building Administrator.
A 90 day Temporary Certificate of Occupancy may be issued at the discretion of the Building
Administrator and according to Chapter 153 of the Fairfax Code of Ordinances if the following
minimum requirements are met. In the situation of a multi-unit building, a Temporary
Certificate of Occupancy may be issued per unit, when the following conditions are met by that
unit.
1. One complete working bathroom with sink, toilet, and bath/shower.
2. All safety devices including handrails, guardrails, closures, etc. are installed.
3. A completed final electrical inspection has been done.
4. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are installed and operational per code.
5. Interior walls are dry walled and fire taped.
6. Exterior walls are finished and sealed from weather. In the situation of a multi-unit
building, the entire exterior of the building must be finished and sealed from weather.
7. Mechanical equipment is installed and operational per code.
8. Safe entrance and exit established.
9. A working curb stop for the water service
10. If a sprinkler system is present, it must be in working order.
11. All fire walls must be in place.
12. House number is visible from the street per Fairfax Ordinance 150.02.
13. Any potential hazard to persons or property as noted by the Fairfax Building
Department has been rectified.
14. Any fees due for a Temporary Occupancy Certificate as established by the City of
Fairfax have been paid to the City of Fairfax.
One 90 day extension of a Temporary Occupancy may be granted for a project at the discretion
of the Building Administrator and according to Chapter 153 of the Fairfax Code of Ordinances if
the following minimum requirements have been met:
1. Any fees due for an extension of a Temporary Occupancy Certificate as established
by the City of Fairfax have been paid to the City of Fairfax.
City of Fairfax Site Plan Checklist
Multiple Family, Commercial and Industrial Site Plan Submittal Checklist
Not
Site Plan Name: Date: Completed Completed
Titleholder(s) information: name, address, phone number and email
Applicant information: name, address, phone number and email
Contact Person information: name, address, phone number and email
Site plan at one of the following scales 1"=10' / 1"=20' / 1"=30' / 1"=40' / 1"=50' / 1"=60' Initial
Submittals and Submittals for review: One paper copy or electronically, as long as the submittal is
to the listed scale and is legible. The final submittals shall be determined at that time.
Location map:
- Identification of the Project Site area
- Existing platted lot lines and streets, with street names
- Existing boundaries & zoning for all property (if adjacent street speed is greater than or
equal to 35 MPH, show properties located with 660' of the boundary of the Project Site.
Prepared by an engineer, landscape architect, urban planner, architect or other certified
professional. The Site Plan should be signed and sealed by the certified professional.
North arrow pointing to top or right of page
Zoning classification including legal description and lot number. If this is a Rezoning Site Plan,
please provide the existing and proposed zoning for the Project Site.
Proposed building use(s) and associated square footage
building height(s); number of stories for all structures including basement(s)
Elevations for exterior buildings visible from public or private property (If Applicable)
Total lot area and exterior lot dimensions
Acreage of site
Existing and proposed square footage and percentage of the lot covered by structures and
surfacing. % of hard surfaces and green space
Existing and proposed easements with dimensions
Dimensions of the required linear yard dimensions (setbacks and property boundaries)
Show existing buildings & fixtures or trees (if any)
Size or dimensions of proposed building or structure
Location of Pole, Ground, or Monument Signs
Show proposed location & type of curb, wheel, or bumper guards recommended
Street names, classification, half street and full street right-of-way width, and posted or design
speeds for all public and private streets
Type of hard surface
Show sight triangles and line of sight information at access locations
Existing and proposed private and public sidewalks / Trails, including adjoining properties
Spot elevations and grades for sidewalks, pedestrian ramps, drive entrances, and handicap
parking spaces
Driveway width & return radii
Provide auto turning track for semi with 53' trailer (If Applicable)
Provide Loading berth (If Applicable)
Show and labei Parking spaces (Typical size 9' x 19'), Including Handicap Parking Space(s)
Provide the number of Parking spaces required and provided, Including Handicap Spaces
Landscaping Plan
Erosion control plans, and SWPPP/NPDES general permit, as required for disturbed areas of 1.0
acre or more. All Erosion Control Plans should show the following:
- Location of the Concrete Washout
- Location of the Portable Toilet
- Location of the cCovered Dumpster
Existing contours at 2' intervals; Proposed contours at 1' intervals
Storm Water Management and Storm Water Quality Plan and Report (see Fairfax Code of
Ordinances, Chapter 100)
Existing and Proposed Utility Services
Existing and Proposed Utilities including: culverts, water distribution, fire hydrants, power poles,
catch basins / intakes, manholes, and other features.
Label inverts, grades, lengths, and type of storm water supply and sanitary sewer facilities
Water courses, surface water detention, floodplains (100 yr and 500 yr) and floodways
Existing and Proposed Fencing and/or screening if required
Location of the permanent enclosed dumpster / trash enclosures (per ordinance)
Exterior Lighting Plan
Note on site plan designating that Metro standards apply to aii items unless specific design
exceptions are authorized by City of Fairfax in writing
This Check List, Completed
Reviewed By: Date: