The Borough Council shall appoint a Zoning Officer to enforce the provisions of this chapter. It shall be his or her duty to examine all applications for permits; issue permits only for construction and uses which are in accordance with all applications for permits, with any accompanying plans and documents; and make such reports as the Borough Council may require. Permits for construction and uses that are a conditional use, special exception or variance to requirements of this chapter shall be issued only upon order of Borough Council or the Zoning Hearing Board. Nothing herein contained shall require any change in plans or construction of a lawful use for which a building permit has been issued.

A permit shall be required prior to the erection of structural alteration of any building, structure or portion thereof and prior to the use or change in use of a building or land and prior to the change or extension of a nonconforming use. Farm buildings situated 50 feet or more from any street or property line shall be exempt from the permit requirements of this section, but all such farm buildings shall be erected in conformity with the use, area and height regulations applicable in the district in which such farm buildings are located. Applications for permits shall be made, in writing, to the Zoning Officer on such forms as may be furnished by the Borough. Such application shall contain all information necessary for the Zoning Officer to ascertain whether the proposed erection, alteration, use or change in use complies with the provisions of this chapter.

Permits shall be granted or refused within 30 days after the written application has been filed with the Zoning Officer. Upon completion of the erection or alteration of any building or portion thereof authorized by any permit and prior to occupancy or use, the holder of such permit shall notify the Zoning Officer of such completion. No permit shall be considered complete or permanently effective until the Zoning Officer has certified that the work has been inspected and approved as being in conformity with the provisions of this chapter and other applicable ordinances.

Fees for permits shall be paid in accordance with a fee schedule to be adopted by the Borough Council, and all such fees shall be paid into the Borough General Fund. Each applicant for an appeal, special exception, conditional use, 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, as required by this chapter and the rules of the Zoning Hearing Board.