Pennsauken Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
§ 141-90
Administration.
A.
Requirement of construction permits. A construction permit shall be required prior to the erection or alteration of, or addition to, any building or other structure or portion thereof. It shall be unlawful for any person to commence work for the erection or alteration of, or addition to, any building or other structure or portion thereof until a construction permit has been duly issued therefor.
B.
Applications for construction permits. All applications for construction permits shall be made in writing on forms furnished by the Township and shall be accompanied by a site plan drawn to scale and accurately showing the exact size and location of any buildings or other structure existing on the lot in question or upon abutting land within 50 feet of the side and rear lot lines of such lot, and the lines within which the proposed building or other structure will be erected or altered. There shall, in addition, be included with all applications such other plans, documents and information as may be necessary to enable the Construction Official to ascertain compliance with this chapter and all other pertinent ordinances.
C.
Issuance of construction permits. No construction permit shall be issued until the Construction Official has certified that the proposed building, structure or alteration complies with the provisions of this chapter and other applicable ordinances. Upon completion of the erection, addition to or alteration of any building, structure or portion thereof authorized by any construction permit obtained in compliance with this chapter and prior to use or occupancy, the holder of such permit shall notify the Construction Official of such completion. Use and occupancy shall not be authorized until the Construction Official has certified that the work has been inspected and approved as being in conformity with this chapter and other applicable ordinances and the Construction Official has issued a use and occupancy permit as provided below.
D.
Requirement of use and occupancy permits. A use and occupancy permit shall be required prior to any of the following:
(1)
Use and occupancy of any building or other structure hereafter erected or altered for which a construction permit is required.
(2)
Change in use of any building or structure.
(3)
Use of land or change in the use thereof, except that the placing of vacant land under cultivation shall not require a use and occupancy permit.
(4)
Change in use or extension of a nonconforming use. It shall be unlawful for any person to use or occupy any building or other structure or land until a use and occupancy permit, if required, has been duly issued therefor.
E.
Application for use and occupancy permits. All applications for use and occupancy permits shall be made in writing on forms furnished by the Township and shall include all information necessary to enable the Construction Official to ascertain compliance with this chapter.
F.
Issuance of use and occupancy permits. No use and occupancy permit shall be issued until the Construction Official has certified that the provisions of this chapter are complied with by the proposed use. Pending completion of a building or of alterations thereto, a temporary use and occupancy permit may be issued by the Construction Official for a temporary occupancy of a part or all of a building, provided that such temporary occupancy would not tend to jeopardize life or property in any way.
G.
Issuance or refusal of permits. If the Construction Official receives approval of certain applications from the Planning Board in those cases for which provision is specifically made herein, or otherwise determines that an application is in compliance with the provisions of this chapter, it shall be the Construction Official's duty to issue the appropriate permit; and if he or she receives disapproval of certain applications from the Planning Board in those specific cases for which provision is made herein, or otherwise determines that an application is not in compliance with the provisions of this chapter, it shall be the Construction Official's duty to refuse the permit, in which case he or she shall instruct the applicant in the method of appeal or application to the Board of Adjustment.
H.
Zoning verification process.
[Added 5-4-2023 by Ord. No. 2023:10]
(1)
A person or business wishing to receive a Zoning Verification Letter from the Township to verify the current zoning of a particular piece of property and the types of uses that are permitted in that zoning district shall submit a Zoning Verification Request Form pursuant to this section.
(2)
The Zoning Verification Form must be completed up to and including a phone number/email address to contact and notify the applicant. All applications must be complete, including an address of the property in question, block, lot and zone completed on the Zoning Verification Request Form, as well as the specifics of the request being made.
(3)
The Township will provide a Zoning Verification Letter that contains the following information: the zoning district that applies to the property; the current use of the property, if available; the permitted uses for the zoning district that applies to the property; the intent of the zoning district that applies to the property; and the geographical location of the property.
(4)
The Township should be given at least 10 business days to review and process the zoning verification request, and the applicant should not inquire on the status of the application until after 10 full business days. Department staff will notify the applicant, as listed on the Zoning Verification Request form, when the Zoning Verification Letter is ready.