There is hereby created the position of Zoning Officer. The Zoning Officer shall have the general duty and authority to administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter, except as otherwise provided by law or by this chapter. The Zoning Officer shall examine and file all applications for zoning permits; issue zoning permits for such construction and uses as are in accordance with the terms and provisions of this chapter or lawful order of the Board of Adjustment or approved Planning Board resolution; record and file all applications for zoning permits, together with the plan, documents and other papers accompanying such application; make such reports to the Construction Official with respect to his/her work and the operation of this chapter as may be required from time to time; and institute and conduct lawful proceedings to prevent threatened violations of this chapter and/or to correct conditions resulting from the violations thereof; and prosecute persons who shall have violated or who shall be engaged in violating any of the terms or provisions of this chapter.

No person hereafter shall erect, construct, locate or alter any building or portion thereof or begin or change the use of any building or land without first obtaining a zoning permit therefor from the Zoning Officer. All applications for zoning permits shall be in writing and shall be addressed to the Zoning Officer, shall be signed by the owner of record or designated agent, (i.e., New Jersey licensed architect, engineer, land surveyor or building contractor), shall be made on such forms as may be prescribed and furnished by the Township and shall contain all information called for by such forms and be accompanied by such plans as may be required, together with any additional information that may be requested by the Zoning Officer, in order to determine whether the proposed construction location, construction or alteration of a building or the proposed use or change of use of land or building will comply with the terms and provisions of this chapter or lawful order of the Planning Board of a site plan or minor site plan application or the Board of Adjustment. Zoning permits shall be granted or refused by the Zoning Officer within 20 days following the submission thereof. Applications failing to comply with the provisions of the Code shall be rejected and written notice, stating the grounds of rejection shall be given to the applicant. All applications filed, together with the accompanying plans and documents, shall be public record. Any zoning permit issued hereunder shall be subject to the fulfillment of all conditions imposed by the Board of Adjustment or the Planning Board.

The zoning permit and certificate of conformity required by this chapter are in addition to and not in lieu of any and all other permits and certificates that are or may be required by law or by any governmental agency or by virtue of any other ordinance or ordinances of the Township of Egg Harbor or otherwise.

An applicant shall be required to pay the applicable fees and/or costs.

If construction, location, alteration or use of a building or land which is authorized by a zoning permit issued by the Zoning Officer under the provisions of § 225-88 hereof, is not substantially undertaken within 12 months of the date of issue or authorization or if there is a failure to comply within the twelve-month period with any conditions imposed, such zoning permit or authorization shall be void. Nothing herein shall preclude the renewal of such permits or authorization upon proper application, provided that any such renewal or authorization granted 18 or more months after the date of the original authorization or permit shall be subject to the use, area, parking, height and other requirements which are applicable at the time of such renewal.