It is the purpose of this article to establish uniform procedures for the administration of this chapter.

There shall be a Zoning Administration Officer who shall be appointed by the Township Supervisors and whose duty it shall be, and is hereby given the power and authority, to enforce the provisions of this chapter. The Zoning Administration Officer shall examine all applications for permits, issue permits only for construction and uses which are in accordance with the requirements of this chapter, record and file all applications for permit with any accompanying plans and documents, which shall be matters of public record, and make such reports as the Township Supervisors may require. Permits for construction and uses which are a special exception or a variance from the requirements of this chapter shall be issued only upon order of the Zoning Hearing Board.

A building 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 or the erection or alteration of, or addition to, any building or other structure or portion thereof until a building permit has been duly issued therefor.

All applications for building permits shall be made in writing on forms furnished by the Township Supervisors and shall be accompanied by a plan drawn to scale and accurately showing the exact size and location of any buildings or other structures 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 shall 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 Zoning Administration Officer to ascertain compliance with this chapter and all other pertinent ordinances.

No building permit shall be issued until the Zoning Administration Officer has certified that the proposed building, structure or alteration complies with the provision of this chapter and applicable ordinances. Upon completion of the erection, addition to, or alteration of any building, structure or portion thereof authorized by any building permit obtained in compliance with this chapter, and prior to use of occupancy, the holder of such permit shall notify the Zoning Administration Officer of such completion. Use and occupancy shall not be authorized until the Zoning Administration Officer has certified that the work has been inspected and approved as being in conformity with this chapter and other applicable ordinances and has issued a use and occupancy permit as provided below.

All applications for use and occupancy permits shall be made in writing on forms furnished by the Township Supervisors and shall include all information necessary to enable the Zoning Administration Officer to ascertain compliance with this chapter.

No use and occupancy permits shall be issued until the Zoning Administration Officer has certified that the proposed use complies with all the provisions of this chapter. Pending completion of a building or of alterations thereto, a temporary use and occupancy permit may be issued by the Zoning Administration Officer for a temporary occupancy of a part or all of a building, provided that such temporary occupancy would not tend in any way to jeopardize life or property.

If the Zoning Administration Officer determines that an application is in compliance with the provisions of this chapter, it shall be his or her duty to issue the appropriate permit, and if he or she determines that an application is not in compliance with the provisions of this chapter, it shall be his or her duty to refuse the permit, in which case he or she shall instruct the applicant in the method of appeal or application to the Zoning Hearing Board.

All applicants for permits may inquire about the status of the applications within 10 days. Building permits shall be issued within the deadlines established by the Uniform Construction Code statute.[1]