Royersford City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XX
Administration
§ 475-137 Zoning Officer.
The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced by an agent, to be appointed by the Borough Council, who shall be known as the Zoning Officer. He/she shall be appointed by the Borough Council and shall receive such fees or compensation as the Borough Council may, by resolution, provide. He/she shall not hold any elective office in the municipality.
§ 475-138 Duties and powers.
It shall be the duty of the Zoning Officer and he/she shall have authority to:
A.
Keep a record of all plans and applications for permits, and all permits issued with notations as to special conditions attached thereto. All records shall be open for public inspection.
B.
Review applications for permits for erections or alterations of structures or changes of use, determine whether such construction or use is in accordance with the general requirements of this chapter, all other applicable ordinances, and with the laws and regulations of the commonwealth. The Zoning Officer shall issue no permit unless it conforms with the applicable ordinances, statutes, and regulations.
C.
Conduct inspections and surveys to determine compliance or noncompliance with the terms of this chapter. In carrying out such surveys, the Zoning Officer or his representative may enter upon any land or building within the Borough.
D.
Make written orders requiring compliance with the provisions of this chapter to be served personally or by registered mail.
E.
Institute proceedings in courts of proper jurisdiction for the enforcement of provisions of this chapter.
F.
Maintain a map available for public inspection showing the current zoning classification of all land within the Borough.
G.
Maintain a register available for public inspection showing the identity, location and type of nonconforming uses within the Borough.
H.
Participate in all proceedings before the Zoning Hearing Board; present facts and information to assist the Board in reaching decisions which shall be compatible with this chapter; and have decisions of the Board reviewed in a court of proper jurisdiction when, in the judgment of the Zoning Officer, such a review is desirable or indicated.
§ 475-139 Permits.
[Amended 3-30-2010 by Ord. No. 831]
No structure shall be constructed or enlarged in the Borough, or use of any structure changed, until a permit has been secured from the Zoning Officer. Upon completion of the work authorized by any permit, the applicant for the permit shall notify the Zoning Officer of such completion. No permit shall be considered as complete or as permanently effective until the Zoning Officer has noted on the permit that the work has been inspected and approved as being in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
§ 475-140 Application for permits.
All applications for permits shall be made in writing by the owner or tenants or authorized agent and shall be filed with the Zoning Officer. The application:
A.
Shall include a statement as to the proposed use of the building;
B.
When required by the Zoning Officer, shall be accompanied by a plot plan based upon a plan prepared by a registered engineer or land surveyor, showing the location of the building in relation to all abutting properties and street lines; and
C.
Shall contain all information necessary to enable the Zoning Officer to ascertain whether the proposed building complies with the provisions of this chapter.
§ 475-141 Expiration of permits.
A permit issued under the authority of this chapter shall expire six months after date of issuance unless the permittee shall have commenced substantial construction or utilization of the property which is the subject of the permit in accordance with the intent thereof within such period.
§ 475-142 Appeals.
An appeal from the decision of the Zoning Officer shall be taken within 30 days, according to the procedures described herein.
§ 475-143 Appeal and application procedure.
An appeal from a decision of the Zoning Officer or an application for special exception or variance from the terms of this chapter may be filed with the Secretary of the Zoning Hearing Board and shall state:
A.
The name and address of the applicant.
B.
The name and address of the owner of the property to be affected by the proposed exception or variance.
C.
A brief description and location of the property to be affected by such proposed change.
D.
A statement of the present zoning classification of the property in question, the improvements thereon, and the present use thereof.
E.
A statement of the section of this chapter under which the variance or exception requested may be allowed, and the reasons why it should be granted.
F.
A description of the present improvements and additions intended to be made under the application, which description shall include a plot plan of the property to be affected, indicating the location and size of the of lot and size of improvements now erected and those proposed to be erected thereon.
§ 475-144 Fees.
[Amended 5-13-1986 by Ord. No. 661]
Fees for permits shall be paid in accordance with a fee schedule to be adopted by resolution or ordinance by the Borough Council. Such fees shall be designed to cover the costs of administering the Zoning Ordinance. Each applicant for an appeal, conditional use, special exception or variance, shall at the time of making application, pay a fee in accordance with the aforementioned fee schedule, for the cost of advertising and mailing notices, and such other costs as are required by this chapter and the rules of the Zoning Hearing Board.