Every word and clause contained herein shall be interpreted so that effect is given to all its provisions within this chapter and no part of this chapter will be inoperative, superfluous, void, or insignificant.

Every reasonable construction of this chapter must be resorted to in order to save this chapter, in whole or in part, from unconstitutionality or unenforceability.

If a word or phrase is defined within this chapter or any part or section hereof, then that definition governs unless clearly negated by the context in which it is used.

All words and phrases which are not defined within this chapter or rendered incomprehensible due to the context in which the words or phrases are used shall be interpreted according to their ordinary meanings which will frequently be derived from a generally accepted dictionary (e.g., Black's Law Dictionary, Merriam Webster, The New Oxford Dictionary of English, etc.).

Specific terms and phrases prevail over more general terms and phrases whenever a conflict exists between terms.

In case of any difference of meaning or implication between the text of any provision and any illustration, the text shall control, unless the intent of the code is clearly otherwise.

Any reference to federal laws, Pennsylvania statutes, Municipal Planning Code, PennDOT manuals, or any other official code shall be construed to be a reference to the most recent enactment of the particular law or publication of any secondary source and shall include any amendments to it as may be adopted thereafter.

Undefined words and phrases appearing in several places with this chapter shall be read the same way each time each appears.

The stated purposes of this chapter, generally, and the regulations contained herein, specifically, shall be consulted to aid in resolving any ambiguities.

The use of "shall" means something is mandatory while "may" means something is permissive.

The use of the conjunctive "and" in a list means that all of the listed requirements must be satisfied, while use of the disjunctive "or" means that only one of the listed requirements need be satisfied.

The singular includes the plural, and vice-versa.

If a use is not permitted by right, by conditional use, or by special exception within a Zoning District, the use is prohibited within that Zoning District without a variance.

If a use is not permitted by right, by conditional use, or by special exception within any Zoning District, the use is prohibited within the Borough without a variance or an amendment to this chapter. When an applicant seeks a variance as a consequence of a use being prohibited within the Borough, the applicant shall simultaneously request a determination by the Zoning Officer as to whether the use is permitted in any municipality which adopted Pottstown Metropolitan Regional Plan, as amended, and is a member of the Pottstown Metropolitan Regional Planning Commission. This determination shall be provided to the Zoning Hearing Board.

If a use may be classified differently pursuant to the terms contained in this chapter, the use shall always be governed in all respects by the most specific, restrictive classification applicable to the use. As a limited example, if a specific use can defined pursuant to this chapter as both a direct retail store and a specifically defined type of direct retail store, the use shall be regulated by the specifically defined type of direct retail store where any conflict between the applicable regulations exist with respect to where and how it is permitted throughout the Borough (e.g., neighborhood convenience store, adult bookstore, pawnshop, etc.).

Borough Council.

The Zoning Officer.

Any other official of the Borough designated by Borough Council.

Any aggrieved owner or tenant of real property who shows that his property or person will be affected substantially by the alleged violation.

The owner of record of the parcel on which violation has occurred.

To any person who has filed a written request to receive enforcement notices regarding that parcel.

To any other person requested in writing by the owner of record.

The name of the owner of record and any other person against whom the Zoning Officer intends to take action and the location of the property in violation.

The specific violation with a description of the requirements that have not been met, citing, in each instance, the applicable provisions of this Chapter.

The date by which the steps for compliance must be commenced and the date by which the steps must be completed.

That the recipient of the notice has the right to appeal to the Zoning Hearing Board within a prescribed period in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Chapter.

That failure to comply with the notice within time specified, unless extended by appeal to the Zoning Hearing Board, constitutes a violation, with possible sanctions clearly specified.