Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-18, it shall be the duty of the zoning officer to enforce the provisions of this chapter. It shall also be the duty of the members of the police department and the fire department to report any violations of the provisions of this chapter in writing to the zoning officer, and, at the same time, to send a copy of such report to the secretary of the zoning board and the Township clerk. The zoning officer shall not issue any permit or certification of occupancy for any structure or use which does not conform with the provisions of this chapter. It shall be the duty of the zoning officer, upon the filing with him of the plans for the construction, alteration or repair of any structure to require the owner or agent of such structure or land to certify, in writing, the use, or intended use, of any structure or land so to be constructed, altered or repaired or used, and the zoning officer shall thereupon determine if the structure or use is permitted by the provisions of this or any such other ordinances. In case he shall determine such structure or use, or both, is nonconforming, he shall notify such owner or agent in writing to that effect, stating in what respect such structure or use is nonconforming.