Northampton Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
PART 13
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
§ 27-1301 Zoning Officer.
[Ord. 160, 4/6/1977]
The Zoning Officer shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors, and he shall administer this chapter and amendments hereto in accordance with its literal terms.
§ 27-1302 Appeals from Zoning Officer.
§ 27-1303 Enforcement.
[Ord. 160, 4/6/1977; as amended by Ord. 295, 8/9/1989]
In the event any building, structure, landscaping or land is or is proposed to be erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered, converted, maintained or used in violation of this chapter, the Zoning Officer, with the approval of the Board of Supervisors, may, in addition to any other remedies permitted under this chapter, institute any appropriate action or proceeding to prevent, restrain, correct or abate such building, structure, landscaping or land or to prevent in or about such premises any act, conduct, business or use constituting a violation.
§ 27-1304 Notification of Violation.
[Ord. 160, 4/6/1977; as amended by Ord. 295, 8/9/1989]
If the Zoning Officer shall find that any of the provisions of this chapter are being violated, he shall initiate enforcement proceedings by sending an enforcement notice as provided in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, as amended, 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
§ 27-1305 Duties of Zoning Officer.
[Ord. 160, 4/6/1977; as amended by Ord. 186, 10/22/1980]
1.
It shall be the duty of the Zoning Officer to:
A.
Receive and examine all applications for permits.
B.
Issue permits for construction and uses which are in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
C.
Revoke, by order, a permit issued under a mistake of fact or contrary to law or the provisions of this chapter.
D.
Record and file all applications for permits with accompanying plans and documents, if any.
E.
Make such reports as the Board of Supervisors shall require.
F.
Issue permits for construction and uses which are special exceptions or variances to requirements of this chapter only upon order of the Zoning Hearing Board.
G.
Require that all lots shall have corner stakes set by a registered surveyor, and that the application for a zoning permit and the accompanying plot plan shall contain all the information necessary to enable him to ascertain whether the proposed use, building, construction or alteration complies with the provisions of this chapter. No zoning permit shall be issued unless the administrative officer certifies that the proposed use, building, construction or alteration complies with the provisions of this chapter.
H.
Issue stop, cease and desist orders, and order in writing the correction of all conditions found to be in violation of the provisions of this chapter or any condition for approval imposed by the Board of Supervisors or the Zoning Hearing Board. Such written orders either shall be posted upon property or shall be served personally and/or by certified mail upon persons, firms or corporations deemed by the Zoning Officer to be violating the terms of this chapter. All orders not appealed within 30 days shall be deemed final.
§ 27-1306 Certificates of Use, Occupancy and Compliance.
[Ord. 160, 4/6/1977; as amended by Ord. 210, 5/9/1984; by Ord. 341, 11/13/1991; and by Ord. 561, 4/25/2012]
1.
Certificates of Use, Occupancy and Compliance.
A.
No use of vacant land, other than agricultural use, shall be made nor shall any building or structure hereafter constructed, erected or structurally altered be occupied or used, nor shall any existing use of a building, structure, or land be changed until a certificate of use, occupancy and compliance shall have been issued by the Zoning Officer.
B.
In the event that a building permit is required for the construction, erection or structural alteration of any building or structure, an application for a certificate of use, occupancy and compliance shall be made simultaneously with the application for the building permit. The applicant shall notify the Zoning Officer of the date on which such construction, erection or structural alteration shall have been completed in conformity with the provisions of this chapter, and the Zoning Officer shall examine the building or structure involved in accordance with Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC) requirements. If the Zoning Officer shall find that such construction, erection or structural alteration has been completed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, a certificate of use, occupancy and compliance shall be issued.
[Amended by Ord. No. 611, 8/25/2021]
C.
In the event that any existing use of a building, structure or land is to be changed, an application for a certificate of use, occupancy and compliance shall be made prior to the change of such use. The Zoning Officer shall make such examination and investigation as is necessary to determine whether the proposed change in use shall be in compliance with this chapter in accordance with Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC) requirements, for if such proposed use shall be found to be in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, a certificate of use, occupancy and compliance shall be issued.
[Amended by Ord. No. 611, 8/25/2021]
D.
A certificate of use, occupancy and compliance issued under this section shall state that the building, structure or land complies with the provisions of this chapter.
2.
Temporary Certificate of Use, Occupancy and Compliance. The Zoning Officer may issue a temporary certificate of use, occupancy and compliance which may permit the use or occupancy of a building or structure during structural alteration thereof or may permit the partial use or occupancy of a building or structure during its construction or erection; provided, however, that such a temporary certificate of use, occupancy and compliance shall be valid only for a period not exceeding 90 days from its issuance and shall be subject to such restrictions and provisions as may be deemed necessary by the Zoning Officer to adequately ensure the safety of persons using or occupying the building, structure or land involved. Application for such a temporary certificate of use, occupancy and compliance shall be made in the same manner as for a certificate of use, occupancy and compliance, and the application for or issuance of such a temporary certificate of use, occupancy and compliance shall in no way affect the obligation to apply for and obtain a certificate of use, occupancy and compliance.
3.
Temporary Certificate of Use, Occupancy and Compliance for Special Events. The certificate of use, occupancy and compliance for a special event shall be subject to the provisions of Subsection 2 herein. The certificate of use, occupancy and compliance for a special event may be reissued for any recurring special event, provided that the nature, location and areal extent of the special event is substantially unchanged. A recurring special event shall also be subject to any amendments to this chapter and other applicable ordinances, regulations or laws. In addition to those items required by Subsection 4A, the following information and documentation shall be provided:
A.
The locations of any structures, mechanical rides or amusements, fencing, lighting and off-street parking.
B.
Access points to abutting streets, including alternate access points for emergency vehicles.
C.
The anticipated number of participants, including staff persons, volunteers and security personnel.
D.
The following permits, if applicable:
(3)
Electrical service permit.
(4)
Water permit from the Northampton Bucks County Municipal Authority.
(5)
Health licenses from the Bucks County Department of Health.
(6)
Highway occupancy permits from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation or Northampton Township.
(7)
Proof of Pennsylvania amusement license.
E.
An escrow account shall be established to guarantee that provisions be made for the following:
F.
Assurance of the availability of emergency medical services in accordance with the Emergency Medical Services System Act, 35 Pa.C.S.A. § 8101 et seq.
4.
Application Forms.
A.
All applications for certificates of use, occupancy and compliance shall be made on printed forms to be furnished by the Zoning Officer and shall contain accurate information as to the size and location of the lot, the size and location of the buildings or structures on the lot, the dimensions of all yards and open spaces and such other information as may be required by the Zoning Officer as necessary to provide for the enforcement of this chapter.
B.
No building permit or other permit for excavation or for the erection, construction, repair or alteration of a building or structure shall be issued before application has been made for a certificate of use, occupancy and compliance. Decorative structures (not intended for human occupancy or use) shall not require issuance of a permit or certificate.
§ 27-1307 Duration of Permits.
[Ord. 160, 4/6/1977; as amended by Ord. No. 611, 8/25/2021]
Every permit issued shall be valid for the time frame established in the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code ( UCC) and the Zoning Director may grant extensions in accordance with the provisions established therein.
§ 27-1308 Schedule of Fees.
[Ord. 160, 4/6/1977]
1.
The Board of Township Supervisors shall determine a schedule of fees, charges and expenses, as well as a collection procedure, for permits, variances, special exceptions, conditional uses, amendments and other matters pertaining to this chapter. Said schedule of fees shall be posted in the offices of the Township Secretary-Treasurer and the Zoning Officer.
2.
The Board of Township Supervisors shall be empowered to reevaluate the fee schedule from time to time and make necessary alterations to it. Such alterations shall not be considered an amendment to this chapter and may be adopted at any public meeting by resolution.
3.
All fees collected hereunder shall be paid into the Township treasury.
4.
Special exceptions and variances shall be acted upon only after fees have been paid in full, and the Zoning Hearing Board shall take no action on appeals until preliminary charges have been paid in full.