A. No building permit shall be issued for the construction of any new building or structure or for remodeling of any existing building or structure, the estimated cost of which remodeling exceeds the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) on any lot which does not have underground utilities, unless the application contains plans for and the applicant agrees to install and receive all underground utility lines which shall serve the building or structure, including, but not limited to, those required for all electric, communication, and cable television services. In estimating the costs of remodeling, there shall not be included any costs for the purchase or installation of weatherization materials. “Weatherization materials” mean items primarily designed to improve the efficiency of space insulation, vapor barrier materials, timed thermostats, installation of heating ducts and hot water pipes and water heaters in unheated spaces, storm doors and windows, double-glazed windows and dehumidifiers. In determining the cost of remodeling, all costs incurred or improvement of the property in the preceding eighteen (18) months shall be included.

B. No person shall cause any building or structure previously used as a single-family residence to be used for multifamily residential, commercial or industrial purposes, unless the person first constructs equipment and related facilities to accept and receive all underground utility lines which shall serve the building or structure, including, but not limited to, those required for all electric, communication, and cable television services.

C. The city council, upon appeal, is authorized to grant a variance in the requirements of this section when application can show that by reason of peculiar and exceptional conditions that strict application of this section would result in real and unnecessary hardship and the council, through investigation and the evidence before it, is satisfied that the granting of the variance will alleviate a hardship and will not be detrimental to the welfare of the city and adjacent property. In granting such variance, the city council may impose such requirements upon the applicant as may be necessary under the circumstances to carry out the intent and purpose of this section. (Ord. 2005-4 § 1; Ord. 2000-12 § 2; prior code § 9.040)