Chapter 17.36
ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT

Sections:

17.36.010    Enforcement by plan commission.

17.36.020    Improvement Location Permits – Zoning Use Permits.

17.36.030    Temporary Improvement Location and Occupancy Permits.

17.36.040    Amendments.

17.36.050    Commission action and commitments.

17.36.060    County commission action.

17.36.070    Time limits.

17.36.080    Board of zoning appeals.

17.36.090    Procedures--Board of zoning appeals.

17.36.100    Requirements for variance.

17.36.110    Appeals before the board of appeals.

17.36.120    Time limits.

17.36.130    Appeals from board decisions.

17.36.140    Fees.

17.36.150    Violation--Penalty.

17.36.010 Enforcement by plan commission.

A.    The area plan commission shall enforce this title by doing the following:

1.    Conduct inspections of buildings and/or uses to determine compliance with this title;

2.    Order discontinuance of violations in a written notice or in a Notice of Ordinance Violation sent or issued to the person responsible for the violation.

3.    Issue civil penalties when appropriate to help bring about compliance with this title as prescribed in 17.36.150 A.1.

B.    The director, who may delegate to employees under his jurisdiction, shall have the following duties:

1.    Issue improvement location permits, temporary and occupancy permits, and special use permits;

2.    Maintain permanent records of improvement location permits, variances, special use permits, and amendments to this title;

3.    Make amendments to the zoning district maps upon enactment, publication, and recording of rezoning ordinance;

4.    Prepare factual reports pertaining to any variance, special use, or amendment to this title;

5.    Prepare variances and special uses provided for in this title, and prepare amendments to this title.

(Ord. 07-09-013 § 1, amended 8/11/09; prior code § 153.155)

17.36.020 Improvement Location Permits – Zoning Use Permits.

A.    For the purposes of this title, the terms “Improvement Location Permits” and “Zoning Use Permits” have the same meaning.

1.    A properly-issued Improvement Location Permit or Zoning Use Permit may be transferred or assigned if the zoning district use group classification as defined in VC 17.20.010 remains substantially compliant with the subsequent owner(s) as the “use” with the previous owner.

2.    The transferred Improvement Location Permit shall remain in effect without additional permit or application by the subsequent owner(s) so long as the same zoning district use group continues on the subject property.

3.    No inspection or entry onto property not held open to the public is authorized under this section with a change in ownership unless and until an Improvement Location Permit or Zoning Use Permit application is submitted for the property owner. After application is made, at least twenty-four (24) hour notice shall be provided to the property owner before any on-site inspection.

4.    A transfer of ownership without a rezoning or substantial construction does not require an Improvement Location Permit as the valid permit continues in place.

B.    Issuance.

1.    No building or other structure shall be erected, moved, relocated, added to or structurally altered so as to change the building footprint, without first obtaining an Improvement Location Permit from the Area Plan Commission.

2.    An application for an Improvement Location Permit shall be filed with the Area Plan Commission and must include the following:

a.    An accurate site plan drawn to scale for the principal and accessory structures and uses, existing and proposed, shall show at a minimum the following: dimensions, size and height of structure(s), location on lot indicating dimensions from the edge of the structure(s) to all lot lines, lot size, required setbacks for front, rear, and side yards, easements, location and width of existing and proposed driveways, location and height of existing and proposed fencing, and address as assigned by the Area Plan Commission.

b.    Except for one- and two-family dwellings, agricultural, and accessory structures, the site plan must also show the following:

i.    The exact property lines of the lot or parcel, including existing street edge of pavement and centerline, and right-of-way lines, alleys, and easements located adjacent to or within the lot;

ii.    Adjacent properties on the same and the opposite frontage, indicating the entrance and exits to those properties;

iii.    The exact location and dimension of access drives to the property, service drives, existing and proposed curb cuts, and proposed directions of traffic flow on the property and into and from public rights-of-way and ingress and egress easements;

iv.    The exact location and dimensions of any necessary frontage roads, acceleration and deceleration lanes, passing blisters and any other auxiliary lanes;

v.    The exact location, dimensions, and type of off-street parking and loading facilities;

vi.    The exact location and size of the landscape islands and types of trees to be installed, if required, as detailed in 17.24.120 (Interior Parking Area Green Space).

vii.    The exact location, type, and size of existing and proposed on- or off-premises signs including dimensions to lot lines from the edge of the sign; and

viii.    The exact location, type, and height of existing and proposed fences including dimensions to lot lines from the edge of the fence.

c.    The name and contact information, as specified on the Improvement Location Permit Application, of the person and business seeking approval.

d.    Properties which abut any street designated as requiring a thoroughfare setback must indicate the appropriate setback on the site plan.

e.    Any other plans or specifications within a statute or local ordinance which any Site Review Member deems necessary to determine whether the plans conform to this title.

3.    Any application for an Improvement Location Permit for one-family dwellings, duplexes, property in the same use group classification, and residential accessory structures shall not be forwarded to Site Review, but shall be approved if applicable code requirements are met. All other applications shall be forwarded to Site Review consisting of the following departments as required by local, state, or federal law specifically relating to the subject property, unless approval by the applicable departments has been obtained by the applicant beforehand based on the same set of plans:

a.    The Director of the Area Plan Commission or a representative appointed by the Director of the Area Plan Commission, who shall serve as Administrator;

b.    The Building Commissioner or a representative appointed by the Building Commissioner;

c.    The County Surveyor or a representative appointed by the County Surveyor;

d.    The County Engineer or a representative appointed by the County Engineer;

e.    A representative from the Evansville Water and Sewer Utility;

f.    A representative from the Health Department, when applicable. (i.e. restaurant, packaged food, outdoor smoking areas, etc.); and

g.    Other agency as required by the state building code or local ordinances.

4.    Within twelve (12) business days following the initial site review, each individual member of Site Review shall either ministerially approve the Improvement Location Permit Application pertaining to their respective component(s) of the application, state in writing its reasons the application does not meet County Ordinances, or state the specific requirements of any Site Review agency(s), that must be met before approval of the application can be granted. The decision of Site Review pertaining to the requirements of this Title can be appealed to the Board of Zoning Appeals. After twelve (12) business days, any section not containing reasons in writing as above, shall be deemed to be approved.

5.    The Director of the Area Plan Commission shall immediately, after approval of the Improvement Location Permit Application by each Member of Site Review, or the expiration of twelve (12) business days of inaction by one or more Site Review Members, issue an Improvement Location Permit when the building(s) and use conform to this title.

6.    Site Review Members may allow exceptions pertaining to their respective component(s) from this section if the purposes of this title and of the general welfare of the community are not adversely affected.

7.    A representative for the applicant must be present at the meeting for the Improvement Location Permit application to be heard by Site Review.

8.    Any Site Review Member which has not approved their respective component, must be present to discuss with the applicant their written reasons or requirements.

9.    Site Review shall meet either in person, telephonically, or electronically, no less than weekly if there are pending applications.

10.    Notice to media or public shall not be provided however public record requests are applicable.

C.    Improvement Location Permits – Revocation, Voiding, and Denial.

1.    An Improvement Location Permit may be revoked if the conditions of this title’s requirements and/or the conditions of the permit are not met following at least ten (10) days’ written notice and a hearing before the Board of Commissioners. A revoked Improvement Location Permit is void.

2.    An Improvement Location Permit must be obtained within twelve (12) months after approval of the Site Review or the application shall be void.

3.    An Improvement Location Permit is void if construction has not been started, or the use has not been established, within twelve (12) months of the date of issuance.

4.    Upon inspection for the Certificate of Occupancy, if changes are determined to have been made on the site from the approved Improvement Location Permit Application, and upon request of any member of the Site Review, the owner or contractor must furnish to the Site Review an as-built site plan to confirm that the site conforms to the County Ordinances, Building Code, and applicable Improvement Location Permits before approving the Certificate of Occupancy.

5.    Any use or construction not authorized as shown in the approved plans shall be deemed a violation and will require corrected site plans or will be subject to all penalties and other enforcement actions provided for in this title.

D.    Schedule of Fees. The fees for obtaining an Improvement Location Permit are stated on the Schedule of Fees as determined by the Area Plan Commission, and two (2) copies of the Schedule of Fees are on file in the office of the County Auditor for public inspection.

(Ord. 08-23-019 [08-23-018] § 1, 12/19/2023; Ord. 05-19-008 § 3, amended, 12/10/2019; Ord. 02-14-002 § 1, added 2-25-2014)

17.36.030 Temporary Improvement Location and Occupancy Permits

Temporary Improvement Location and Occupancy Permits may be granted by the Director of the Area Plan Commission after approval of the Site Review Committee.

(Ord. 02-14-002 § 2, added 2-25-2014)

17.36.040 Amendments.

A.    A proposed ordinance for amendment or repeal of the zoning code may be proposed by a member of the County Commission to the County Commission, by the Area Plan Commission to the County Commission, or by petition of owners of property of at least fifty (50) percent of the area involved in the petition either to the County Commission or to the Area Plan Commission.

B.    No later than twenty-one (21) days prior to first reading by the County Commission, the petitioner must provide to the County Commission the following:

1.    A petition describing the property that is the subject of the desired amendment, the amendment desired, and any facts pertinent to the request;

2.    A location map;

3.    An ordinance;

4.    A site plan;

5.    Costs of publication of the ordinance;

6.    Costs of recording the ordinance;

7.    List of abutting property owners and registered neighborhood associations for notice by petitioner.

C.    All petitions shall be filed with the required number of copies on eight and one-half by eleven-inch (8 1/2" x 11") paper with the petition as the first document, the map as the second document, the ordinance as the third document, and the site plan as the fourth document.

D.    The petitioner shall determine from the designated newspaper the costs of publication of the ordinance and shall file with his petition a certified check made payable to that designated newspaper for required amount.

E.    The petitioner will file with his petition a certified check made payable to the County Recorder for the costs of recording the ordinance if and when it is approved.

F.    The County Commission shall assign the petition and ordinance to the Area Plan Commission for hearing and recommendations. A proposed ordinance for the amendment or repeal of the zoning code must be referred to the Area Plan Commission for consideration and report before any final action is taken by the legislative body. Upon receiving or initiating a proposed ordinance, the Area Plan Commission shall, within sixty (60) days, hold a public hearing on the proposed ordinance.

1.    Notice of the public hearing shall be published one time at least ten (10) days before the date of the Area Plan Commission hearing.

2.    A notice must be posted on the property by the petitioner, in a place visible to the public, no less than twelve (12) days prior to the Area Plan Commission hearing.

3.    A notice of hearings must be mailed by the petitioner to each of the abutting property owners, and to each registered neighborhood association, pursuant to VCO 2.06.030, whose boundaries include or are contiguous to the subject property. Notice must be postmarked no less than ten (10) days prior to the Area Plan Commission hearing, and the petitioner shall provide proof of mailing in accordance with the rules established by the Area Plan Commission.

4.    Costs of the notices shall be borne by the petitioner.

G.    Prior to the public hearing by the Area Plan Commission, the petitioner must file with the Area Plan Commission a copy of the letter of notice, an affidavit listing the abutting property owners and registered neighborhood associations, and the date notices were mailed and return receipts. The Area Plan Commission shall submit the documents to the County Auditor.

H.    Whenever the County Commissioners shall change by ordinance the district boundaries or classifications of property, the County Auditor shall record a copy of the ordinance, including any use and development commitment, with the county Recorder immediately after the effective date.

I.    Use or Development Commitments.

1.    At the time of filing the petition to amend zoning maps, the petitioner may file a use or development commitment, or both, as defined in Section 17.08.030.

2.    A use or development commitment may be filed or amended after the Area Plan Commission considers the rezoning petition and prior to hearing by the County Commissioners.

a.    No further action of the Area Plan Commission is required for a new written commitment to be effective. A written commitment will be considered “new” only if no other commitment has been submitted covering the same petition and the same subject matter of restrictions or conditions. All other written commitments will be deemed modifications and are subject to the requirements of subsection (I)(2)(b) of this section.

b.    If a written commitment is modified after hearing by the Area Plan Commission, no further action of the Area Plan Commission is required if the effect of the amended commitment is to make the commitment more stringent. If the effect of the amendment to the commitment is to make the written commitment less stringent, the modified ordinance, together with the use or development commitment, must be reheard by the Area Plan Commission to enable the Area Plan Commission to vote on the petition with the less restrictive use or development commitment.

3.    If the petition is to be reheard by the Area Plan Commission as provided in subsection (I)(2)(b) of this section, the petitioner shall again notify all abutting property owners and registered neighborhood associations, pursuant to VCO 2.06.030, whose boundaries include or are contiguous to the subject property (listed in the affidavit filed pursuant to subsection (F) of this section) and counsel of record by certified mail.

4.    If a use and development commitment is included in an ordinance adopted by the County Commissioners to rezone property, the ordinance shall include the following language:

The subject property herein rezoned shall be used and developed only in accordance with the use and development commitment which is incorporated as part of this Petition for Rezoning and recorded in the office of the Recorder of Vanderburgh County, Indiana on _________ [date] at Instrument No. _______________. No improvement location permit shall be issued unless the proposed use is in compliance with said recorded use and development commitment.

J.    An amendment to the submitted ordinance documents after the publication of notice shall be cause for automatic continuance of the hearing by Area Plan Commission. The petitioner shall notify the abutting property owners and registered neighborhood associations, pursuant to VCO 2.06.030, whose boundaries include or are contiguous to the subject property pursuant to subsection (F) of this section.

(Ord. 06-22-010 § 1, amended, 06/28/2022; Ord. 03-12-002 §§ 1 – 8, amended 4/3/2012; 17.36.041 Subsections H & I amended 4/1/2008) (Ord. dated 2/22/94 §§ 1, 2; prior code § 153.158)

17.36.050 Area Plan Commission action and commitments.

A.    Following a public hearing at which any interested person may appear to testify against or support the petition, the Area Plan Commission shall recommend either the passage, denial, or passage with amendments of the petition and ordinance. Any amendment or change to the ordinance after Area Plan Commission approval must be submitted in writing with the required number of copies and filed with the County Auditor and Area Plan Commission at least five business days prior to hearing by the County Commission.

B.    The Area Plan Commission and the County Commission shall pay reasonable regard to the following:

1.    The amendment conforms to the comprehensive plan;

2.    Current conditions and the character of current structures and uses in each district;

3.    The most desirable use for which the land in each district is adapted;

4.    The conservation of property values throughout the jurisdiction;

5.    Responsible development and growth;

6.    The zoning classification of the property is improper and the amendment will correct the improper classification;

7.    Major physical, economic, or social changes have substantially altered the area in a manner not anticipated in the comprehensive plan, and the amendment will assist the development of the area consistent with the changes.

C.    The commitments and recommendations of the Area Plan Commission shall become part of the record.

(Ord. 03-12-002 § 9, amended 4/3/2012; prior code § 153.159)

17.36.060 County Commission action.

Within thirty (30) days after the hearing on the proposed ordinance for amendment or repeal of the zoning code, the secretary of the Area Plan Commission shall provide to the County Commission a written report that indicates the recommendations of the commission concerning the ordinance. Within ninety (90) days after receiving the report of the Area Plan Commission concerning the proposed ordinance, the County Commission shall vote on the proposed ordinance. If no vote is taken within ninety days after the commission’s recommendations, the action of the Area Plan Commission is final.

(Ord. 03-12-002 § 10, amended 4/3/2012; prior code § 153.160)

17.36.070 Time limits.

A.    The denial of a petition by the county commission or the withdrawal of a petition by the petitioner from the county commission prohibits the area plan commission or county commission from hearing a petition for amendment of that property or any part thereof for twelve (12) months after the date of denial or withdrawal by the commission or petitioner.

B.    An exception may be made to subsection A of this section by unanimous vote of the county commission.

(Prior code § 153.161)

17.36.080 Board of zoning appeals.

Establishment. The board of zoning appeals is established by this title. The appointment and terms of the board shall be in accordance with IC 36-7-4-900 et seq.

(Prior code § 153.162)

17.36.090 Procedures--Board of zoning appeals.

A.    The board of zoning appeals shall approve or deny all variances, special uses and appeals from the terms of the zoning code, but only in the classes of cases or in the specific situations specified in the zoning code. The board may impose reasonable conditions as part of its approval.

B.    The board shall set a date for a public hearing on the petition.

1.    Notice of the public hearing shall be published one time before the date of the hearing.

2.    Prior to the public hearing by the board of zoning appeals, the petitioner must file in the area plan commission office proof of notification.

3.    Cost of the notice must be borne by the petitioner.

4.    When an appeal is filed by a member of the review committee regarding a decision made by that committee as set forth in Section 17.36.020(A)(5), notice shall only be sent to all other members of that review committee.

5.    A person may not communicate with any member of the board before the hearing with the intent to influence the members’ action on a matter pending before the board. Not less than five days before the hearing, however, the staff of the area plan commission may file with the board a written statement setting forth any facts or data pertinent to the matter.

6.    Should the petitioner fail to comply with the notice requirements, as provided by this section, before the second regular meeting of the board of zoning appeals following the date said petition is filed, the petition shall be withdrawn by the board of zoning appeals and the time limits imposed by Section 17.36.120 shall apply.

(Prior code § 153.163)

17.36.100 Requirements for variance.

A.    A person desiring a variance from the requirements of this title must file a petition with the board of zoning appeals describing the property that is the subject of the variance, the type of variance required, the facts pertinent to the variance desired, and a site plan as defined in Section 17.36.020.

B.    Following the public hearing on the variance, the board of appeals must either grant or deny the petition. No variance may be granted except on a finding of all the following factors:

1.    The approval will not be injurious to the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare of the community;

2.    The use and value of the area adjacent to the property included in the variance will not be affected in a substantially adverse manner;

3.    The strict application of the terms of the zoning code will result in practical difficulties in the use of the property;

4.    The variance is not a variance of the use of the property;

5.    The petitioner’s property is not located in a planned unit development; and

6.    The need for the variance is not created by the applicant.

C.    The board of zoning appeals may not grant a variance from a use district or classification. The grant of a variance is by resolution of the board of zoning appeals and is not an amendment of this title.

D.    The board may incorporate into the granting of a variance whatever conditions or limitations are necessary to protect adjacent properties and the surrounding neighborhood and effectuate the purpose of this title.

(Prior code § 153.164)

17.36.110 Appeals before the board of appeals.

A.    The board of zoning appeals shall hear and determine appeals from and review:

1.    Any order, requirement, decision or determination made by an administrative official or staff member under the zoning code;

2.    Any order, requirement, decision or determination made by an administrative board or other body except the Evansville and Vanderburgh County area plan commission in relation to the enforcement of an ordinance requiring the procurement of an improvement location permit or occupancy permit.

B.    An appeal filed with the board of zoning appeals must specify the grounds of the appeal and must be filed within such time and in such form as prescribed by the board of zoning appeals by rule.

C.    The administrative official, administrative board, or other body from whom the appeal is taken shall, on the request of the board of zoning appeals, transmit to it all documents, plans, and papers constituting the record of the action from which an appeal was taken.

D.    Upon appeal, the board may reverse, affirm, or modify the order, requirement, decision, or determination appealed. For this purpose, the board has all the powers of the official, officer, board, or body from which the appeal was taken.

E.    Within five days, the board of zoning appeals shall file in the office of the board a copy of its decision.

(Prior code § 153.165)

17.36.120 Time limits.

A.    The denial of a petition for a variance, special use, or an appeal by the board of zoning appeals or the withdrawal of such a petition by the petitioner shall prohibit the board of zoning appeals from hearing a petition for a variance, special use, or an appeal for the subject property or a part thereof for twelve (12) months from the date of the denial or withdrawal.

B.    An exception may be made to this section upon unanimous vote of the board of zoning appeals.

(Prior code § 153.166)

17.36.130 Appeals from board decisions.

A person aggrieved by a decision of the board of zoning appeals may appeal the decision in the manner provided in IC 36-7-4-1000 et seq.

(Prior code § 153.167)

17.36.140 Fees.

A.    The area plan commission shall establish and collect a schedule of reasonable fees associated with processing and hearing administrative appeals, petitions for rezoning, special uses, variances, subdivisions, reviewing permit applications, issuing permits, and other official actions taken under IC Title 36. The fee schedule shall be posted in a prominent place within the area plan commission office where the fee schedule is readily available to the public.

B.    Where construction, remodeling, erection of a structure or placement of a sign, change of use of land or a structure, or any other use for which a permit, rezoning, variance, or special use is required, is started or proceeded with prior to obtaining the required permit, the fee above shall be doubled; but payment of the double fee shall not relieve any person from fully complying with the requirements of this title in the execution of the work or use, nor from any other penalties proscribed.

(Prior code § 153.168)(Updated 12/1/97 (part))

17.36.150 Violation--Penalty.

A.    Any person who violates any provision of this title shall be subject to the penalties (or fines) set forth in Section 1.12.010 and the penalties (or fines) set forth below:

1.    Any person who violates any provision of the County Zoning Code, Chapters 17.04 through 17.38, and who has received a citation from the Area Plan Commission in the form of a Notice of Ordinance Violation pursuant to Section 1.14.040 shall be subject to a civil penalty (or fine) of up to $500.00 for a first violation. Additional violations within any consecutive 12 month period shall be as follows:

Second violation - $1,000.00 penalty;

Third violation - $2,500.00 penalty;

Fourth violation - $5,000.00 penalty; and

Any additional violation - $7,500 penalty.

2.    A court of law may assess additional civil penalties for non-compliance.

3.    The civil penalties shall be paid to the County Treasurer within 30 days of the date the citation is issued and corrective action(s) shall be taken as soon as possible to immediately bring the property into compliance with this title as required by ordinance. Violations of a continuing nature shall each be considered a separate offense for each day the property is not in compliance with any provision in this title.

4.    Failure to pay the penalty and take the necessary corrective action in a timely manner could result in the County filing suit in Vanderburgh Superior Court for payment of the civil penalty and all related court costs, and to bring about compliance of such property.

B.    Any person, firm or corporation, or anyone acting in behalf thereof who shall violate or fail to comply with any of the provisions of this title by conduct or activity or the erection, construction, enlargement, conversion, moving, or maintenance of any building, structure, or use which is continued, operated or maintained, on land or water, used in whole or in part, contrary to any of the provisions of this title is declared to be in violation of this title. The Area Plan Commission may institute appropriate legal action to remove the violation and bring about compliance with this title. The action may also be instituted by any property owner who may be especially damaged by any violation of this title. The remedy provided for herein shall be cumulative and not exclusive and shall be in addition to any other remedies provided by law.

C.    The Area Plan Commission may put a hold on issuing any new Improvement Location Permits authorized under this title for any property that is in violation of any provision of this title.

D.    A change of venue from the County may not be granted in an action to enforce the provisions of this title.

(Ord. 07-09-013 § 2, amended 8/11/09; prior code § 153.999)