Except as hereinafter provided in Article XVI, Nonconformance and Noncompliance, after the effective date of this chapter, no structure shall be erected, reconstructed, structurally altered, enlarged or moved, nor shall any structure or land be used or designed to be used, for any use other than is permitted in the district in which such structure or land is located, and then only after applying for and securing a zoning permit and all other permits and licenses required by all laws and ordinances. (See Article XX, Administration and Enforcement.)

Prior to or no later than the time of the initiation of proceedings to annex land to the city, the Council shall request the Commission to make studies of the existing land uses and related factors (including the Master Plan relationships) in the area of proposed annexation and to recommend appropriate zoning therefor. On the effective date of annexation, the Council shall introduce an ordinance providing for zoning of the annexed area, based on the Commission’s recommendation, and, thereupon, the provisions of § 265-139 shall be applicable, protecting the area for a period of sixty (60) days against precipitous establishment of inappropriate uses.

The regulations of this chapter shall not apply to any existing or proposed building or use or extension thereof used or to be used by a public utility corporation if, upon petition of the corporation, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission shall, after a public hearing, decide that the present or proposed situation of the building in question is reasonably necessary for the convenience or welfare of the public. (See § 265-122.)

Except as hereinafter provided, after the effective date of this chapter, all uses of property must be on a zoning lot or a substandard lot of record, as herein defined. Not more than one (1) main structure or main use shall occupy any zoning lot or substandard lot of record, except where a unit group building or planned unit group development use has been approved.

No structure shall be used or occupied as a dwelling, rooming house, hotel or for other residential purposes if such structure is in need of major structural repairs or is unsafe or unsanitary or if the premises do not have connection with the city’s sewer system or alternative sanitary sewage facilities approved by the local public health authorities.

Where one parcel of property is divided into two or more portions by reason of different zoning district classifications, each of these portions shall be used independently of the others in its respective zoning classification, and, for the purpose of applying the regulations of this chapter, each portion shall be considered as if in separate and different ownership.

Wherever in this chapter there is a requirement for the notification of property owners, the provisions shall apply irrespective of boundary lines of the political subdivision.