Building permits, certificates of occupancy, temporary permits and certificates of existing use shall be issued by the administrative or enforcement officer in accordance with the requirements of this chapter when the application for the same is in compliance with § 600-13 of this chapter.

The Town Board shall appoint a Board of Appeals pursuant to statute, and the Board of Appeals so appointed shall be vested with full powers and duties conferred by § 267 of the Town Law. Such Board shall exercise the powers and functions in the manner now or hereafter prescribed in the Town Law. Where there are practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships in carrying out the strict letter of this chapter, the Board of Appeals shall have the power in passing upon appeals to vary or modify the application of any of the regulations or provisions of this chapter relating to the use, construction, reconstruction or alteration of buildings or structures, or the usage of the land, so that the spirit of this chapter is observed, public welfare and safety secured, substantial justice done and unnecessary hardships avoided.

In the review of any applications, the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals and the Town Board may refer any application presented to them to such engineering, planning, lighting, legal, technical or environmental consultant as the Boards shall deem reasonably necessary to enable them to review the application as required by law. Charges made by these consultant(s) shall be in accord with the charges usually made for such services in the Broome County region or pursuant to an existing contractual agreement between the Town and the consultant. The developer shall reimburse the Town for the cost of the consultant services upon submission of a voucher. The same consultants shall be used in any review requested regarding the same application by the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals and the Town Board, and these consultants shall prepare one report providing the data, information, and recommendations requested. In all instances, duplications of consultants' reports shall be avoided wherever possible in order to minimize the cost of the consultants' report to the applicant.

In case any building or structure is erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered, repaired, converted or maintained or any building, structure or land is used in violation of this chapter or any regulations made pursuant thereto, in addition to other remedies provided by law, any appropriate action or proceeding, by legal process, may be instituted or taken to prevent such unlawful erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, conversion, maintenance or use to restrain, correct or abate such violation; to prevent the occupancy of said building, structure or land; or to prevent any legal act, conduct, business or use in or about such premises.

It is recognized that the future growth and the development of the Town may be such as to require changes and modifications in the provisions of this chapter. In accordance with §§ 264 and 265 of the Town Law, the Town Board may, from time to time on its own motion or on petition, after public notice and hearing, amend, supplement or change the regulations or the districts herein established, and may adopt rules and regulations for the purpose of interpreting and carrying this chapter into effect.

A violation of this chapter is hereby declared to be an offense, punishable by a fine not exceeding $350 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed six months, or both for conviction of a first offense; for conviction of a second offense both of which were committed within a period of five years, punishable by a fine not less than $350 nor more than $700 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed six months, or both; and, upon conviction for a third or subsequent offense all of which were committed within a period of five years, punishable by a fine not less than $700 nor more than $1,000 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed six months, or both. However, for the purpose of conferring jurisdiction upon courts and judicial officers generally, violations of this chapter shall be deemed misdemeanors and for such purpose only all provisions of law relating to misdemeanors shall apply to such violations. Each week's continued violation shall constitute a separate additional violation.

In interpreting and applying the provisions of this chapter, they shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion of the public safety, health, convenience, comfort, prosperity and general welfare. It is not intended, by this chapter, to interfere with or abrogate or annul any easements, covenants or other agreements between parties; provided, however, that where this chapter imposes a greater restriction upon the use of buildings or premises, or upon heights of buildings, or requires larger open spaces than are required by other ordinances, rules, regulations or permits, or by easements, covenants or agreements, the provisions of this chapter shall govern.

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the Village of Port Dickinson.