Receive and examine all applications for zoning permits and issue permits only in conformity with the provisions of this chapter and with other Township ordinances; provided, however, the issuance of a zoning permit shall not be deemed a waiver of the requirements of any Township ordinance.

Keep an official record of all business and activities, including complaints of a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, and of the action taken consequent to each such complaint. All such records shall be open to public inspection. File copies of all applications received, permits issued, reports and inspections made in connection with any structure, building, sign, and/or land shall be retained as long as they remain in existence.

Receive applications to the Zoning Hearing Board and forward these applications to the Zoning Hearing Board for action thereon.

Following refusal of a permit, when a permit is submitted and denied, to receive applications for appeals from alleged error of the Zoning Officer and variances and forward these applications to the Zoning Hearing Board for action thereon.

Before issuing any permit, the Zoning Officer may, at his discretion, examine or cause to be examined all building, structures, signs or land and portions thereof for which an application has been filed for the erection, construction, alteration, repair, extension, replacement, relocation, conversion and/or use. Thereafter, he may make such inspections during the completion of work for which a permit has been issued. Any violations of approved plans or permit shall be noted, and the holder of the permit shall be notified of the discrepancies.

Issue stop, cease-and-desist orders, and order in writing correction of all conditions found to be in violation of the provisions of this chapter. Such written orders shall be served personally, by general mailing, or by certified mail upon persons, firms, or corporations deemed by the Zoning Officer to be violating the terms of this chapter. It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any such order lawfully issued by the Zoning Officer, and any person violating any such order shall be guilty of a violation of this chapter.

Issue permits for special exception uses or for variances only after such uses and/or buildings have been approved by the Zoning Hearing Board.

Issue permits for conditional uses only after such uses and/or buildings have been approved by the Board of Supervisors.

With the approval of the Board of Supervisors, or when directed by them, institute in the name of the Township any appropriate action or proceedings to prevent the unlawful erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, conversion, maintenance, or use, to restrain, correct, or abate such violation so as to prevent the occupancy of or use of any building, structure, or land, or to prevent any illegal act, conduct, business, or use in or about such premises.

Revoke by order a zoning permit issued under a mistake of fact or contrary to the law or the provisions of this chapter.

Maintain a map showing the current zoning classification of all land.

Upon the request of the Board of Supervisors, the Planning Commission, or the Zoning Hearing Board present to such bodies facts, records, or reports which they may request to assist them in making decisions.

Identify and register nonconforming uses and nonconforming structures, pursuant to § 450-158 of this chapter.

No building or structure shall be erected, constructed, reconstructed, structurally altered, or moved, and no land or building changed in use or any new use commenced until a zoning permit has been secured from the Zoning Officer. A zoning permit shall not be required in case of normal maintenance activities, minor repairs, and alterations which do not structurally change a building or structure.

Zoning permits shall be issued with a one-year life; provided, however, that if work is not commenced or a change in use of building or land is not commenced within 90 days after issuance of the zoning permit, the permit shall automatically expire and a new permit shall be required before such work or change in use commences. In addition, the Zoning Officer is authorized to consider a request for an extension of time for a zoning permit when such request is filed with the Zoning Officer at least 30 days prior to the permit expiration date. In no case shall an extension of time be approved for a period of more than one year. However, the permit approval may be extended for one additional year upon submission of a request in accordance with the above-stated procedure, and provided that just cause is demonstrated. If an extension of time for a permit is denied, a new permit shall be required for those improvements not completed.

Two sets of site plans, drawn to scale showing the location, dimensions, and height of proposed buildings, structures, or uses and any buildings in relation to property, street right-of-way lines, and street center lines.

A statement as to the existing and proposed use of the building or land.

The following additional information, if applicable to the particular proposal:

Any additional plans and information reasonably necessary for the Zoning Officer to ascertain whether the proposed use, change in use, erection, alteration, or addition complies with the provisions of this chapter.

One copy of the plans shall be returned to the applicant by the Zoning Officer after he shall have marked such copies either as approved or disapproved.

One copy of all such plans shall be retained by the Zoning Officer for the Township's permanent records.

If the request is not approved, the Zoning Officer shall, within 30 days of receipt of a complete and reviewable application as aforesaid, send to the applicant by regular mail a written statement explaining the reason or reasons why the permit cannot be issued. In addition, the Zoning Officer shall advise the applicant if a special exception is an available remedy, or if not, that the applicant may have the right to request a variance and that the applicant may appeal the refusal within 30 days of issuance of the same.

Payment of fees. No permit shall be issued until the fees prescribed by the Board of Supervisors pursuant to resolution are paid in full. The payment of fees under this section shall not relieve the applicant or holder of said permit from payment of other fees that may be required by the Zoning Ordinance or by any other ordinances or law.

Compliance with chapter. The permit shall be a license to proceed with the work and should not be construed as authority to violate, cancel or set aside any of the provisions of this Zoning Ordinance.

Posting of permit. A true copy of the permit shall be kept on the site of operations and be open to inspection by the Zoning Officer during the entire time of work as specified in the permit and until completion of same.

Compliance with permit and plot plan. All work or use shall conform to the approved application and plans for which the permit has been issued as well as the approved plot plan.

Application requirements.

No-impact home-based business, home occupation, farm-related occupations, and rural accessory business uses. In the event an application is approved, then a zoning and use permit shall be issued to the applicant. Said permit shall apply only to the applicant, occupation or business activity, and premises stated in the application. The permit is nonassignable and nontransferable. Said permit shall also be deemed to be automatically revoked upon the earliest of the following:

Inspections of no-impact home-based businesses, home occupations, farm-related occupations, and rural accessory business uses. There may be one inspection each year by the Zoning Officer, or a person designated by the Zoning Officer, of such occupations or businesses issued a permit. In addition, the Zoning Officer, or designee, shall have the right to enter and inspect the premises covered by said permit for compliance purposes following notification of the property owner 48 hours in advance of the inspection. Any costs associated with said inspection shall be the responsibility of the owner/operator of the occupation or business based upon a fee schedule to be determined by the Board of Supervisors by resolution.

A certificate of use and occupancy shall be a statement issued by the Zoning Officer setting forth that a building, structure, parcel, or use of land complies with the provisions of this chapter.

No vacant land shall be occupied or used, and no structure or part of a structure hereafter erected, substantially altered or changed in use shall be occupied or used until a certificate of use and occupancy shall have been issued by the Zoning Officer.

A certificate of use and occupancy for the use or occupancy of vacant land or for a change in the use of land, or for a change in the use of an existing building, either for whole or part of a new building or for the alteration of an existing building, shall be applied for coincident with the application for a building or zoning permit, and shall be issued or denied within 15 days after a final inspection by the Zoning Officer.

A record of all certificates of use and occupancy shall be kept on file in the office of the Zoning Officer.

Filing of conditional use application. For any use permitted by conditional use, a conditional use approval must be obtained from the Board of Supervisors. In addition to the information required on the conditional use application form, the conditional use application must include:

General criteria. Each applicant must demonstrate compliance with the following:

Conditions. The Board of Supervisors in approving conditional use applications, may attach conditions considered necessary to protect the public welfare and the purposes listed above, including conditions which are more restrictive than those established for other uses in the same zone. These conditions shall be enforceable by the Zoning Officer and failure to comply with such conditions shall constitute a violation of this chapter and be subject to the penalties described in this article.

Site plan approval. Any site plan presented in support of the conditional use shall become an official part of the record for said conditional use. Approval of any conditional use will also bind the use in accordance with the submitted site plan; therefore, should a change in the site plan be required as part of the approval of the use, the applicant shall revise the site plan prior to the issuance of a zoning permit. Any subsequent change to the use on the subject property not reflected on the originally approved site plan shall require the obtainment of another conditional use approval.

Hearing procedures.

Unless otherwise specified by the Board of Supervisors or by law, a conditional use approval shall expire if the applicant fails to obtain a zoning permit within one year of the date of authorization thereof by the Board of Supervisors or by the court if such conditional use has been granted after an appeal. A conditional use shall also expire if the applicant fails to complete any erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration or change in use authorized by the conditional use approval within two years from the date of authorization thereof by the Board of Supervisors or by the court if such conditional use has been granted after an appeal. The Board of Supervisors for reasonable cause shown may extend the approval for an additional period for one year, provided that said request is submitted in writing no later than 30 days prior to the expiration of said approval.