This chapter shall be known, and may be cited as, the “Borough of Grove City Zoning Ordinance”. The accompanying district map shall be known, and may be cited as, the “Borough of Grove City Zoning Map”.

(1980 Code, Ch. 28, Part 1, § 28-101) (Ord. 1419, passed 9-16-2013, § 101)

   In accordance with the authority granted to borough through the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. §§ 10101 et seq. (Act 247, as reenacted and amended), this chapter and map are intended to:

   (A)   Regulate the density of population;

   (B)   Regulate the location and use of buildings, structures and land for residential, agricultural, commercial, industrial and other purposes;

   (C)   Regulate the height, bulk, number of stories, size and placement of buildings and structures;

   (D)   Divide the Borough into districts of such size, shape and area, and to establish such zoning map, as may be deemed best suited to carry out the regulations; and

   (E)   Establish procedures for the administration, enforcement, amendment and relief from hardships under certain circumstances.

(1980 Code, Ch. 28, Part 1, § 28-102) (Ord. 1419, passed 9-16-2013, § 102)

   (A)   These regulations are deemed necessary in order to encourage beneficial growth in the borough while keeping the density of development consistent with existing borough facilities and the borough’s ability to develop new facilities needed.

   (B)   These regulations are expected to:

      (1)   Promote the public health, safety, morals and general welfare;

      (2)   Conserve and stabilize property values through encouragement of the most appropriate uses of land in relation to adjacent properties, with consideration given to the physical characteristics of the property, and its value, as well;

      (3)   Secure safety from fire, flood, panic and other dangers by providing for adequate open spaces for light, air and amenity, and by promoting emergency preparedness and operations;

      (4)   Preserve forests, agricultural lands and recreation areas in their natural state, or from conflict with urban development;

      (5)   Protect floodplains and manage the release of stormwater to minimize downstream flooding;

      (6)   Prevent the overcrowding or improper development of land, incompatible uses of land, and/or blighting conditions;

      (7)   Facilitate the economic provision of safe, adequate and reliable transportation, water supply, sewage disposal, public schools, parks and other public requirements;

      (8)   Avoid congestion in travel and transportation, and maintain and improve the carrying capacity and safety of major roads;

      (9)   Reduce the cost of building roads and installing utilities, and the subsequent cost of borough operations; and

      (10)   Encourage similar controls upon development in adjacent municipalities where logical zoning district boundaries extend across municipal lines.

(1980 Code, Ch. 28, Part 1, § 28-103) (Ord. 1419, passed 9-16-2013, § 103)

   No structure shall be located, erected, demolished, constructed, moved, externally altered, converted or enlarged, nor shall any structure or land use be used or designed to be used, except in full compliance with this chapter and after the lawful issuance of all permits and certifications required by this chapter.

(1980 Code, Ch. 28, Part 1, § 28-104) (Ord. 1419, passed 9-16-2013, § 104) Penalty, see § 156.999

   (A)   The Borough Council shall, from time to time, establish, by resolution, a schedule of fees, charges and expenses and a collection procedure for building permits, appeals and other matters pertaining to this chapter. The schedule of fees may be posted in the borough offices, and may be amended only by official action by the Borough Council.

   (B)   No permit, certificate, application or variance shall be issued, nor shall any action be taken on proceedings before the Zoning Hearing Board unless, or until, such costs, charges, fees or expenses have been paid in full.

   (C)   A zoning certificate or building permit shall be required for all new construction, additions or alterations affecting exterior dimensions of existing structures; and, for any structural or interior changes required for a change of the structure’s use, or for any change in use.

   (D)   Any application for amendment, variance, special exception, conditional use, permit or any other application or certificate within the scope of this chapter, shall be accompanied by a fee, such fee to be established by resolution of the Borough Council, who may, from time to time revise such fees in order to bear a reasonable relationship to the costs involved.

(1980 Code, Ch. 28, Part 1, § 28-105) (Ord. 1419, passed 9-16-2013, § 105)

   This chapter shall not apply to property owned by borough in the exercise of its municipal functions, including, but not limited to, traffic and safety signs, non-building essential service structures and utilities. The borough will adhere to all use regulations by district and all dimensional and setback regulations in the placement of any municipal building.

(1980 Code, Ch. 28, Part 1, § 28-106) (Ord. 1419, passed 9-16-2013, § 106)

   Whenever the provisions of this chapter are at variance with provisions in other parts of this chapter or any other lawfully adopted rules, regulations or ordinances, the more restrictive requirements shall govern.

(1980 Code, Ch. 28, Part 1, § 28-107) (Ord. 1419, passed 9-16-2013, § 107)

   (A)   Property owned, leased or operated by the Commonwealth, or the United States or any other public or governmental body or agency, shall be subject to the requirements of this chapter as follows:

      (1)   Where such public or governmental uses are specifically listed, they shall be governed as indicated; and

      (2)   Where such public or governmental uses are not specifically listed, they shall be permitted only in districts permitting private uses of a similar or substantially similar nature.

   (B)   Governmental entities and agencies shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter only to the extent that it has been determined that the borough has no power to apply its zoning regulations to the particular use of land.

(1980 Code, Ch. 28, Part 1, § 28-108) (Ord. 1419, passed 9-16-2013, § 110)