Prior to the erection, construction or structural alteration of any building, structure or portion thereof or change in use of any building, lot or parcel of land, application forms in duplicate shall be obtained from the Zoning Officer or Borough Clerk and filled out by the owner or his authorized agent. Such forms shall be accompanied by a plot plan drawn to scale showing the actual dimensions, radius and location of the building or buildings in its or their exact relation to the lot and front property lines and such other information as may be necessary to determine compliance with or provide for the enforcement of this chapter. One (1) application with accompanying plot plan shall be returned to the owner, approved or rejected by the Zoning Officer. Applications for certain uses are subject to site plan approval as provided for in Article XVI.

Please see Joint Land Use Board Checklist, attached to Chapter 94 as Exhibit B and made a part hereof.

Upon the completion, erection, location or alteration of any building or portion thereof for which a building permit shall have been issued by the Building Inspector, or upon any change in the use of hitherto unused land or the change in any existing use, but prior to the use or occupancy of such building or alteration of land, the owner of such land shall notify the Zoning Officer of the Borough of Merchantville of such completion or proposed change in use, whereupon the Zoning Officer shall inspect the premises and, upon ascertaining that the erection, location or alteration referred to in the building permit has been done in conformity with said permit and in compliance with all other applicable codes, and/or the use is in conformity with the terms and provisions of this Chapter, the statutes of New Jersey or any other decision of the Planning Board or Board of Adjustment, shall issue a certificate in writing to be designated a zoning permit or occupancy permit, that said work has been inspected by him and the use approved is in conformity with all zoning requirements of the Borough of Merchantville. No person shall use or occupy any building hereafter erected or located on any lot, or use or occupy any alteration of any building hereafter made, or use or occupy any land, unless and until a certificate of occupancy or conformity shall have been duly issued as required by this chapter. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a single-family dwelling occupied immediately prior to commencement of any alteration, the occupant shall not be required by this subsection to vacate the premises pending the issuance of a final zoning permit or occupancy permit.

The zoning permit or occupancy permit required by this section is in addition to and not in lieu of any and all other permits or certificates that are or may be required by law or by any governmental agency or by virtue of this chapter or any other ordinance of the Borough of Merchantville or otherwise.