Franklin, VA Zoning Ordinance

It shall be the duty of the zoning administrator, or his designee, with the aid of the police department, to administer and enforce the ordinance in accordance with its administrative provisions. For this purpose, and in order to prevent, restrain, correct, or abate any violation hereof, such person is hereby authorized to institute, through authorized legal counsel, any appropriate legal action necessary for the purpose.

[Amended by Ord. No. 2004-3, 5-24-2004]

(a)

Before any building or premises or part thereof is used, which is hereafter created, erected, changed, converted or enlarged in use or structure, a zoning certificate shall be obtained from the zoning administrator. Such certificate shall show that such building or premises, or part thereof, and the proposed use thereof, conforms in all respects with the provisions of this ordinance. Application for a zoning certificate shall be accompanied by plans drawn to scale, or approximately so, in duplicate, showing the actual shape, location, and dimensions of the lot to be used and of all existing and proposed buildings, including any buildings on adjacent property having a bearing thereon. Said application and/or plans shall show all other information necessary for the enforcement of this ordinance. One copy of the plans shall be returned to the applicant when approved by the zoning administrator.

(b)

A fee of $25.00 shall be charged to the applicant for a zoning certificate.

Any person, firm or corporation who violates any of the provisions of this ordinance for which a penalty is not otherwise specified shall, upon conviction thereof, be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $10.00 nor more than $1,000.00. Each day that a violation continues shall be considered a separate offense. In addition, the civil actions prescribed in Code of Virginia, §§ 15.2-2208 and 15.2-2209, as amended, shall also apply.