Any development with the Floodplain District that is not otherwise required to obtain a building permit or a use and occupancy permit. Issuing violation notices and citations. Downingtown Borough is defined by various zoning districts, each with distinct permitted uses. Each district has specific regulations including set backs, building height, parking requirements and signage requirements. A building permit is a license with grants legal permission to start construction of a building project.
Permits assure safe construction to protect the public health, safety and welfare.
The building permit process provides the means for code officials to help reduce the potential hazards of unsafe construction. The process ensures that minimum standards are met and appropriate materials are used. After several recent natural disasters, it was found that significantly more damage occurred to structures when building codes had not been followed. In fact, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has informed the states that unless they adopt a building code, they will not be able to receive F.E.M.A. funding in a disaster. The permitting process also provides the information that is necessary to comply with the zoning regulations of the community.