Lancaster City Zoning Code
ARTICLE X
Administration
§ 300-57 Administration and enforcement.
A.
The Zoning Officer shall administer and enforce this chapter. He/She may be provided with the assistance of such other persons as the Mayor may direct. The Zoning Officer shall have the authority to institute civil enforcement proceedings as a means of enforcement of this chapter when acting within the scope of his/her employment hereunder.
B.
If the Zoning Officer shall find or determine that any provision of this chapter or any condition imposed by the Zoning Hearing Board is being violated, he/she shall send an enforcement notice to the owner of record of the parcel on which the violation has occurred, to any other person against whom legal action will be taken, to any person who has filed a written request to receive enforcement notices regarding that parcel, and to any other person requested, in writing, by the owner of record.
C.
An enforcement notice shall state at least the following:
(1)
The name of the owner of record and any other person against whom legal action will be taken;
(2)
The street address and parcel number of the property in violation;
(3)
The specific violation with a description of the requirements which have not been met, citing in each instance the applicable provisions of this chapter or the Zoning Hearing Board decision;
(4)
The date before which the steps for compliance must be commenced and the date before which the steps must be completed;
(5)
That the recipient of the notice has the right to appeal to the Zoning Hearing Board within a prescribed period of time in accordance with procedures set forth in this chapter; and
(6)
That failure to comply with the notice within the time period specified, unless extended by appeal to the Zoning Hearing Board, constitutes a violation, with possible sanctions clearly described.
§ 300-58 Application for zoning approval.
A.
All applications for Zoning Officer or Zoning Hearing Board approval shall be accompanied by information required by the Zoning Officer, which may include but not be limited to the following:
(1)
Lot and building plans, drawn to scale, showing:
(a)
The dimensions and shape of the lot(s) to be built upon;
(b)
The dimensions and locations of any existing structures;
(c)
The location and dimensions of all proposed new structures, additions and/or alterations to existing structures;
(d)
The location and dimensions of any structures proposed to be demolished in whole or part.
(e)
Floor plans showing dimensions of all interior spaces;
(f)
The dimensions and location of existing and/or proposed off-street parking facilities and driveways;
(g)
The location and dimensions of proposed signs;
(h)
The location and dimensions of landscaping areas.
(i)
The location and dimensions of paved areas and/or stoned surfaces, including walks, parking pads and similar improved areas.
(2)
Existing and proposed uses of the structure(s) and land;
(3)
The number of residential units (including dwelling units and/or rooming units; family and/or nonfamily units) and/or nonresidential units;
(4)
Evidence of ownership or equitable ownership, provided that when the application is being made by a person other than the owner, it shall be accompanied by a written statement by the owner that the proposed application and proposed uses are authorized by the owner and that the person filing the application is the owner's authorized agent. The full name, address and telephone phone number of the owner/equitable owner, agent authorized by the owner, if applicable, and if anyone is a corporate entity, the responsible officer(s) with address(s) and telephone number(s) shall be provided;
(5)
Environmental or other impact studies required by the Zoning Hearing Board in order to render a decision; and
(6)
Any other information, such a photographs or renderings, requested by the Zoning Officer in order to determine that the provisions of this chapter are met.
B.
Failure to provide required plans and information shall be grounds for the Zoning Officer to refuse to accept an application.
§ 300-59 Building permits required.
No building or other structure shall be erected, moved, added to or structurally altered without a permit therefor, if required. No building permit, as required by the Uniform Construction Code, as adopted and amended by the City of Lancaster, shall be issued except in conformity with the provisions of this chapter, including any decision of the Zoning Hearing Board as provided for in Article XII.
§ 300-60 Certificate of zoning compliance required.
A.
It shall be unlawful to use or permit the use of any building, structure, or premises or any part thereof hereafter created, erected, changed, converted, altered or enlarged, wholly or partly, in its use or structure, except for minor alterations involving no change in the floor area or use, until a certificate of zoning compliance shall have been issued therefor. Such certificate shall show that such building, structure or premises, or part thereof, and the proposed use thereof are in conformity with the provisions of this chapter or an order of the Zoning Hearing Board, and the Zoning Officer or his authorized agent shall attest to such conformance by his signature on such certificate. The certificate shall become null and void if no building permit has been issued (if a building permit is required) or other activity occurs within nine months from the date of approval by the Zoning Officer. Activity shall include the submission of development or building plans to the City for additional approvals. A copy of the certificate of zoning compliance shall be retained by the Zoning Officer. Under such rules and regulations as may be established by the Zoning Officer, a temporary certificate of zoning compliance may be issued for part of a building.
§ 300-61 Authorized construction and use.
Building permits or certificates of zoning compliance issued on the basis of plans and applications approved by the Zoning Officer authorize only the use, arrangement, and construction set forth in such approved plans and applications and no other use, arrangement, or construction. Use, arrangement or construction at variance with that authorized shall be deemed a violation of this chapter and punishable as provided by Article XVI hereof.