The administration and enforcement of this ordinance shall be the responsibility of the board of trustees or their authorized representative. The board of trustees shall have the right to delegate said responsibility to appropriate township officers or employees. The person or persons administering and enforcing this ordinance shall be known as the zoning administrator(s). Said zoning administrator shall have the power of a public officer in the enforcement of this ordinance.

(Ord. No. 31.83, § 6, 5-9-2023)

A.

The zoning administrator shall have the power to issue certificates of zoning compliance and to make inspections of premises and collect such investigative data deemed necessary to carry out his duties in the enforcement of this ordinance. No person shall refuse to permit the zoning administrator to inspect any premises at reasonable times nor shall any person molest or resist the zoning administrator in the discharge of their duties.

B.

If the zoning administrator shall find that any provision of this ordinance is being violated, he shall order discontinuance of any illegal work being done; or shall take such action as authorized by this article to ensure compliance with, or to prevent violation of the provisions of this ordinance.

C.

The zoning administrator shall not vary, change or grant exceptions to any terms of this ordinance, or to any person making application under the requirements of this ordinance.

D.

It shall be unlawful for the zoning administrator to issue [a] certificate of zoning compliance or other such permits, for any construction or use until he has inspected such plans and found them to conform with this ordinance.

(Ord. No. 31.83, § 6, 5-9-2023)

A.

A building permit for erection, alteration, moving or repair of any building shall not be issued until a preliminary certificate of zoning compliance has been issued therefor. Issuance of such certificate shall indicate that the plans for which the building permit is requested complies with the zoning ordinance.

B.

It shall be unlawful to use or occupy or permit the use or occupancy of any building or premises, or both, or part thereof hereafter created, erected, changed, converted, or wholly or partly altered, or enlarged in its use or structure until a final certificate of zoning compliance shall have been issued therefor by the zoning administrator. The certificate shall state that the building, structure, and lot, and use thereof, conform to the requirements of this ordinance.

C.

The zoning administrator shall maintain a record of all certificates of zoning compliance and said record shall be open for public inspection. Failure to obtain a certificate of zoning compliance shall be a violation of this ordinance.

D.

It shall not be necessary for a legal nonconformity existing on the effective date of this ordinance to obtain certificates of zoning compliance in order to maintain its legal, nonconforming status. However, no nonconforming building, structure, or use shall be renewed, changed, or extended until a preliminary certificate of zoning compliance shall have been issued by the zoning administrator. The certificate shall state specifically wherein the nonconforming building, structure or use differs from the provisions of this ordinance.

E.

The applicant for a final certificate of zoning compliance shall notify the zoning administrator when final inspection is desired. The final certificate of zoning compliance shall be issued upon final inspection or written notice shall be given to the applicant stating the reasons why said certificate cannot be issued. Such notice shall be sent to the applicant not later than 15 days after the zoning administrator is notified that the building, structure or premises is ready for inspection.

A.

No building permit for erection, alteration, moving or repair of any building shall be issued until a certificate of zoning compliance has been issued.

B.

No building or other structure shall be erected, moved, added to, or structurally altered without a building permit issued by the building inspector.

C.

No building permit shall be issued by the building inspector except in conformity with this ordinance, unless he/she receives a written order from the board of appeals or zoning administrator in the form of an administrative review or a variance, as provided by this ordinance.

D.

Plans submitted in application for a building permit shall contain information necessary for determining conformity with this ordinance, including a copy of the certificate of zoning compliance.

A.

Notice of violation.

(1)

Whenever the zoning administrator determines that a violation of this ordinance exists, the zoning administrator may issue a notice of violation.

(2)

Such notice of violation may be directed to each owner of or a party in interest in whose name the property appears on the last local tax assessment records.

(3)

All notices of violation shall be in writing and shall be served upon the person to whom they are directed personally, or in lieu of personal service may be mailed by regular mail and addressed to such owner or party in interest at the address shown on the tax records. An affidavit of mailing shall be maintained.

(4)

All violations shall be corrected within a period of time as specified on the notice of violation. A violation not corrected within this period may be resolved as provided for in section 25.05.

(Ord. No. 31.50, § 1, 8-3-2015)

The township board shall periodically establish by resolution a schedule of fees for administering this ordinance. The schedule of fees shall be posted on public display in the office of the zoning administrator and may be changed only by the township board. No certificate shall be issued unless such fees have been paid in full. Included in the fee schedule is an escrow payment. The planning commission may recommend escrow amounts to the board of trustees via the site plan review process.

(Ord. No. 31.89, § 1, 2-3-2025)

State Law reference— Zoning permit fees, MCL 125.295.