To receive and process applications for permits, certificates, variances, conditional uses, special exception uses, appeals and other applications required under the terms of this chapter.

To prescribe the form of all applications, permits and certificates required under the terms of this chapter.

To issue or deny applications for zoning permits in accordance with the procedure set forth in § 27-1203 of this chapter. In cases involving a request for a conditional use, a special exception, or a variance, zoning permits shall be issued only upon written order of the appropriate approving agency. It shall be the responsibility of the Zoning Officer to process requests for such hearings before the Township Supervisors and Zoning Hearing Board, as applicable.

To issue or deny requests for certificates of compliance in accordance with the procedure set forth in § 27-1204 of this chapter.

To examine land, buildings and structures to determine their consistency with this chapter at the time of application filing, during the work and upon completion of the work.

To issue written enforcement notices as specified in § 27-1205, Subsection 1A, of this chapter where it appears that there has been a violation, and to institute civil enforcement proceedings with the appropriate magisterial district judge on behalf of the Township as a means of enforcing the zoning regulations.

To maintain and update the Official Zoning Map as amendments are made by the Township Supervisors.

To maintain a log of all applications, permits or certificates issued, variances granted, inspections made, reports rendered and notices or orders issued.

To post notice of pending Zoning Hearing Board hearings in accordance with the procedures established in § 27-1003, Subsection 5B, and to post notice of proposed zoning district boundary changes as per the requirements of § 27-1101, Subsection 1A.

To present facts, records, and other information to the Township Supervisors and/or Planning Commission, upon request of such body, as will assist them in their deliberations of specific applications.

To present to the Zoning Hearing Board, in each case before the Board, all relevant facts and arguments to support the Township's position, interpretation, and procedures in application of the provisions of this chapter.

To issue certificates of nonconformance as requested (See also §§ 27-901, Subsection 1F, and 27-902, Subsection 1C)

To perform such other duties as may be provided or made necessary by the terms of this chapter.

Zoning permit shall be required:

Exemptions. Zoning permits shall not be required for the following activities unless they are proposed within a Floodplain District:

Each request for a zoning permit shall be made by completing the appropriate application form obtained from the Zoning Officer and submitting it along with the required fee to the Township. Application for a permit shall be made by the owner or lessee of any building or structure, or the agent of either; provided, however, that if the application is made by a person other than the owner, it shall be accompanied by a written authorization from the owner. The full names and addresses of the owner, lessee, applicant or other responsible parties shall be stated in the application.

The Zoning Officer shall have 10 working days after receipt of a complete application to issue or deny requests for a zoning permit. Any denial shall be in writing and shall state the reason(s) for such action.

All applications for zoning permits shall be accompanied by a sketch or plans, drawn to scale, which show the actual shape and dimensions of the lot, the exact size and location of any buildings existing on the lot, the lines within which the proposed building or structure shall be erected or altered, the existing and intended use of each building or part of a building, the number of families or dwelling units the building is designed to accommodate and such other information as may be necessary to determine compliance with this chapter and all other pertinent regulations. No application shall be considered complete until all necessary documents have been filed and all fees have been paid to the Township.

All applications and accompanying plans and documents shall become a matter of public record once a permit has been either issued or denied.

Work on the proposed construction shall be commenced no later than 12 months after the date of issuance of the zoning permit and all work covered by the permit shall be completed within 24 months after the date of the permit's issuance or the permit shall expire and become null and void. Additional work on the proposed project shall require the issuance of a new zoning permit. A time extension of the original permit may, however, be granted by the Zoning Officer where the applicant submits a written request prior to the expiration of the original permit setting forth sufficient and reasonable cause for the Zoning Officer to grant such a request. No more than three six-month extensions may be granted. Additional time shall require the issuance of a new zoning permit.

For the purposes of this chapter, construction and/or development shall be considered to have started with the preparation of land, including land clearing, grading, filling, excavation for basement, footers, piers or foundations, erection of temporary forms, the installation of pilings under proposed subsurface footers, or the installation of sewer, gas, and water pipes, or electrical or other service lines from the street.

During the construction period, the Zoning Officer shall inspect the premises to determine that the work is progressing in compliance with the information provided on the permit application and with all other applicable Township laws. He shall make as many inspections as necessary to determine compliance.

In the discharge of his duties, the Zoning Officer shall have the authority to enter any building, structure, premises, or development located in any zoning district, upon presentation of proper credentials, at any reasonable hour, to enforce the provisions of this chapter.

No land shall be occupied or used and no building hereafter erected, altered or extended shall be used in whole or in part, or shall be changed in use, until a certificate of compliance has been issued by the Zoning Officer. Such requirement shall include proposals to change one use to another use in an existing building (regardless if structural alterations are proposed or necessary to accommodate the change).

The issuance of a certificate of compliance is not intended to guarantee or warranty, either stated or otherwise, the soundness of any construction nor the habitability of any building or structure. The purpose of this certificate is only to certify that all work authorized by the zoning permit has been satisfactorily completed and that the building or proposed use thereof complies with the provisions of this chapter.

Enforcement Notice. Whenever it appears to the Zoning Officer that there has been a violation of any provision of this chapter, the Zoning Officer, on behalf of the Township, shall give written notice of such alleged violation as hereinafter provided. Such enforcement notice shall:

Causes of Action.

Enforcement Remedies. Any person, partnership or corporation who or which has violated or permitted the violation of the provisions of this chapter, whether enacted under current law or prior law, upon being found liable therefor in a civil enforcement proceeding commenced by the Township, shall pay a judgment of not more than $500 plus all court costs. No judgment shall commence or be imposed, levied or payable until the date of the determination of a violation by a magisterial district judge. If the defendant neither pays nor timely appeals the judgment, the Township may enforce the judgment pursuant to the applicable rules of civil procedure. Each day that a violation continues or each section of this chapter which shall be found to have been violated shall constitute a separate violation. Unless the magisterial district judge determining that there has been a violation further determines that there was a good faith basis for the person, partnership or corporation violating this chapter to have believed that there was no such violation, in which event there shall be deemed to have been only one such violation until the fifth day following the date of the determination of a violation by the magisterial district judge and thereafter each day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate violation. All judgments, costs and reasonable attorney fees collected for the violation of this chapter shall be paid over to Hemlock Township.