The provisions of this Ordinance shall be administered and enforced by the Township Board, Township Planning Commission, Township Board of Appeals, and Zoning Administrator and deputies of same, so designated and appointed by the Township Board. The Zoning Administrator shall, among other duties, issue all permits and notices of violations provided for in this Ordinance.

Except as may be provided for otherwise in this Ordinance, the Township Board shall, by resolution, determine and set fees to be charged for all permits and certificates and official actions required, such as appeals, insofar as this Ordinance provides for charges to be made in each instance. These fees shall be collected by the appropriate official prior to issuance of any permit or certificate. No permit is valid until the proper fee has been paid. There shall be no charge for renewal or extension of permits.

1. No building, structure, or item shall be erected, altered, or moved, and no use be commence, unless a Zoning Compliance Certificate shall have been issued for such work or use by the Zoning Administrator.
2. Except upon written order of the Zoning Board of Appeals, no Zoning Compliance Certificate shall be issued for the erection, alteration, or use of any building or structure, or for the use of any land which is not in accordance with all provisions of this Ordinance.
3. A record of all Zoning Compliance Certificates issued shall be kept on file in the office of the Zoning Administrator.
4. No vacant land shall be used and no existing use of land shall be changed to a different class of use unless a Zoning Compliance Certificate is first obtained for the new or different use. (revised 1-24-2000) (revised 1-8-2001)

1. No dwelling, building, part of a building, or mobile home, subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, shall be occupied or used until the Zoning Administrator has issued a Zoning Compliance Certificate to the owner of such dwelling, building, or mobile home. Further, no change of occupancy, tenancy, or use shall be permitted within any non-residential building until a Zoning Compliance Certificate has been issued to the owner of such building in accordance with Section 29.5. At least three (3) Township working days prior to being ready for use or occupancy, the owner shall notify the Zoning Administrator who shall be assured that the building is in proper conformity and, if so, issue a Zoning Compliance Certificate, in two (2) copies. One (1) copy may be retained in the Zoning Administrator's files. One (1) copy shall be returned to the owner. If a certificate or application is disapproved for cause, the owner or applicant shall be so notified in writing. (Revised November 1997)
2. If, at the time the Zoning Compliance Certificate has been requested, any requirements of this Ordinance or other conditions of approval have not been complied with due to circumstances beyond the applicant's control, as determined by the Zoning Administrator, a Temporary Zoning Compliance Certificate may be issued.
3. Such Temporary Zoning Compliance Certificate may not be issued until the applicant has provided the Township with a letter of credit, performance bond, cash deposit, or other financial guarantee acceptable to the Township Board in an amount established by a qualified estimator, equal to the cost of the unfinished improvements which may include but not be limited to drives, walks, utilities, landscaping, parking lots, fences, and other site improvements.
4. The Temporary Zoning Compliance Certificate shall expire six (6) months after the date of issuance, or upon completion of the required improvements, whichever comes first. If the required improvements have not been made by the date of expiration, the financial guarantee shall be forfeited and the Zoning Administrator shall cause the improvements to be made. (whole section revised 1-8-2001)

No vacated building, except residential structures, shall be occupied or used until such time as the Zoning Compliance Certificate has been issued by the Zoning Administrator or such other Township official as may be designated by the Township Board from time to time.

1. An application for a Zoning Compliance Certificate may be made by the owner, lessee, or proposed occupant or lessee, or owner at any time that the building is vacant or within thirty (30) days prior to the proposed vacation of the building. The application shall be include information as to the proposed occupancy and the intended use of the property, and shall grant to the Zoning Administrator the right to make an inspection of the building.
2. The Zoning Administrator shall issue a Zoning Compliance Certificate if the building and its proposed use, including the site, are in proper conformity with this Ordinance, and with the provisions of the Georgetown Township Building Code Ordinance, as amended.
3. If a Certificate or application is disapproved for cause, the owner or applicant shall be notified in writing and such notice shall contain the reasons for disapproval.
4. If, at the time the Zoning Compliance Certificate has been requested, any requirements of this Ordinance or other conditions of approval have not been complied with due to circumstances beyond the applicant's control, as determined by the Zoning Administrator, a Temporary Zoning Compliance Certificate may be issued.
5. Such Temporary Zoning Compliance Certificate may not be issued until the applicant has provided the Township with a letter of credit, performance bond, cash deposit, or other financial guarantee acceptable to the Township Board in an amount established by a qualified estimator, equal to the cost of the unfinished improvements which may include but not be limited to drives, walks, utilities, landscaping, parking lots, fences, and other site improvements.
6. The Temporary Zoning Compliance Certificate shall expire six (6) months after the date of issuance, or upon completion of the required improvements, whichever comes first. If the required improvements have not been made by the date of expiration, the financial guarantee shall be forfeited and the Zoning Administrator shall cause the improvements to be made. (whole section revised 1-8-2001)

The Township Board is authorized and empowered to cause this Ordinance to be amended, supplemented or changed. Proposals for amendments may be initiated by the Township Board, the Planning Commission or by petition of one or more owners of property in Georgetown Township affected by such proposed amendment. The procedure for amending this Ordinance shall be as follows:

1. Each petition shall be submitted to the Zoning Administrator, accompanied by a fee as established by the Township Board, and then referred to the Township Clerk to set a hearing date and publish notices. The petitioner shall attend a pre-application meeting with the zoning administrator prior to submission of the application in accordance with the established Township policy. (revised 11-28-2005)
2. The Planning Commission shall conduct a public hearing, the notice of which shall be in accordance with the statutory requirements of the State of Michigan.
3. The Township Board may hold additional hearings if it considers it necessary. Notice of such hearing shall be in accordance with the statutory requirements of the State of Michigan.
4. No petition for rezoning or Special Land Use , which has been disapproved , shall be resubmitted for a period of one (1) year from the date of disapproval, except as may be permitted after learning of new and significant facts or conditions which might result in favorable action upon resubmittal.

(section revised 10-25-06)