Zoning officer responsibilities
(a) The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced by the zoning officer, unless otherwise specified, who shall be appointed by the mayor. No application, building or zoning permit, plan, specification or intended use which is not in accordance with the provisions of this chapter shall be approved by the zoning officer.
(b) The zoning officer shall:
(1) Issue zoning certificates and zoning permits;
(2) Review and approve for zoning compliance, building permits and certificates of occupancy;
(3) Collect required fees for variances, modifications (which shall be the same filing fee as variance petitions), special use permits, and appeal applications;
(4) Receive and review for proper form, all applications for variances, special use permits, and appeals, and, as per section 19-45(c), shall have authority to administratively approve modifications from the dimensional standards of section 19-145 for structures, except for the moving of lot lines, provided the deviation is not more 25 percent, and further provided that the zoning officer receives no written objections to the requested variance within 30 calendar days from the date of notification. Should written objection be received by the zoning officer or if the zoning officer cannot make the required determinations of section 19-45(c), the application shall be considered a variance request, which may only be granted by the zoning board of review or planning board under unified development review through the standard procedures for variances in chapter 19, Zoning;
(5) Transmit all applications to the zoning board of review, department of planning and urban development, and planning board as specified in this chapter;
(6) Prepare the calendar of the zoning board of review in compliance with the board's adopted rules of procedure, and include notice of any modifications granted on the agendas of the zoning board of review;
(7) Keep records on compliance of uses of land;
(8) Inspect suspected violations and issue violation notices in cooperation with the law department.
(c) Upon written request the zoning officer shall, in order to provide guidance or clarification, issue a zoning certificate or provide information to a requesting party as to the determination by the zoning officer on issues of compliance, applicability and interpretation of this chapter. This response must be issued within 15 days of receipt of the written request. In the event that no written response is provided within such time, the requesting party shall have the right to appeal to the zoning board of review for such determination.
(d) When in the opinion of the zoning officer it is necessary or when required by this chapter, the zoning officer shall seek technical assistance or approval from other city officials in the administration of this chapter. Such technical assistance or approval, unless otherwise specified, may serve in whole or in part as the basis for the approval or disapproval of a zoning permit. Any permit or license issued in conflict with the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed null and void.
(e) Actions and decisions of the zoning officer may be appealed to the zoning board of review in accordance with section 19-51.
(f) Minimum qualifications for the zoning officer shall include: Graduation from a recognized college or university with a bachelor's degree in planning or closely related field and three years of experience in a position requiring office administration, review of site plans, and interpretation of zoning regulations; or a masters degree in city or regional planning or a closely related field, and one year of the specified experience; or eight years of a combination of planning experience and training which provides the abilities, knowledge and skills specified.
(Rev. Ords. 1987, § 19-5; Ch. 470A, § II, 10-7-08; Ch. 506, § III, 7-20-10; Ch. 877, § I, 6-6-23; Ch. 914, § I(Att.), 12-19-23; Ch. 944, § I(Att.), 9-2-25)