The provisions of this chapter shall be interpreted and applied so as to be the minimum requirements for the promotion of the health, safety, welfare and morals of the citizens of the Borough of Munhall.

Where the conditions imposed by any provisions of this chapter upon uses of land or structures are either more restrictive or less restrictive than comparable conditions imposed by any other provisions of this chapter or of another applicable law, municipal ordinance, rule or regulation of any kind, the regulations which are more restrictive shall govern.

This chapter is not intended to abrogate any easement, covenant or other private agreement, provided that, where the regulations of this chapter are more restrictive than such easements, covenants or other private agreements, the requirements of this chapter shall govern.

No structure shall be erected, converted or altered, nor shall any structure or land be used, except for a purpose permitted in the use district in which the structure or land is located, except as hereinafter provided. No structure shall be erected, enlarged or altered except in conformity with the area regulations, minimum yard requirements, performance standards and minimum off-street parking space requirements of this chapter for the district in which such structure is located.

Any person, partnership, or corporation found to have violated any of the provisions of this chapter shall be notified of said violation in accordance with the standards and procedures outlined under the MPC.

All applications for a variance, special exception, amendment, conditional use permit or any other permit, application or certificate within the scope of this chapter shall be made on printed forms provided by the Borough of Munhall. Any such application shall contain accurate information as to size and location of structures on the lot, the dimensions of all yards and open spaces, the sections of this chapter applicable to the request, and such other information as may be necessary to provide for the enforcement of this chapter. A file of all such applications shall be kept in the Borough Manager's office.

General administration. The duty of administering the provisions of this chapter is conferred upon the Zoning Officer, the Planning Commission, the Borough Council and the Zoning Hearing Board.

Powers and duties. The Zoning Officer shall:

Appeals (of an administrative decision or interpretation). Any appeal of an administrative action of the Zoning Officer shall be made to the Zoning Hearing Board within 30 days of such action. The Zoning Officer shall immediately transmit to the Zoning Hearing Board all of the papers constituting the record upon which the appeal is based.

To receive copies of all applications for amendments and conditional uses, to make findings and recommendations thereon, and to forward such findings and recommendations to the Council.

To initiate, direct and review, from time to time, a study of the provisions of this chapter, and to make reports of its findings and recommendations to the Council no less frequently than annually.

To supply information to the Zoning Officer as required in this chapter.

To study, after examination and with the aid of expert assistance where required, determine and define all arterial highways within the Borough, and to make a report of its findings to the Zoning Hearing Board and to the Council.

To receive applications for the review and approval of additional uses and rezoning request submissions under the applicable provisions of this chapter and the MPC.

Requirements.

Application.

Inspections.

Issuance of a certificate.

Revocation or suspension of a certificate. A certificate of occupancy may be revoked or suspended by the Zoning Officer if the holder of the certificate has failed to comply with conditions attached to the issuance of the certificate or if the Zoning Officer finds that the land, building or premises is not in compliance with the requirements of this chapter.

Fee. The Borough may establish a fee for the issuance of a certificate of occupancy.

General. Council may, on its own initiative or upon receipt of a recommendation initiated by the Planning Commission, amend, supplement, change, modify or repeal this chapter, provided that Council considers said amendment, supplement, change, modification or repeal to be necessary in serving the best interests, convenience, or general welfare of the public, and provided that the procedures followed shall be consistent with those established by the MPC.

Landowner curative amendments.

Municipal curative amendments. If Council should determine that this chapter or any portion thereof is substantially invalid, it shall follow the procedures outlined in the MPC for municipal curative amendments.

Any person who has violated the provisions of this chapter shall, upon being found liable therefor in a civil enforcement proceeding commenced by the Borough, pay a judgment penalty of not more than $500 plus all court costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by the Borough as a result thereof. No judgment shall commence or be imposed or payable until the date of the determination of a violation by the Magisterial District Judge. If the defendant neither pays nor timely appeals the judgment, the Borough may enforce the judgment pursuant to the applicable rules of civil procedure.

Each day that a violation continues 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 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 attorneys' fees collected as a penalty(ies) for the violation of this chapter shall be payable to the Borough of Munhall.