An administrative official designated by the Township Supervisors shall administer and enforce this Chapter. He may be provided with the assistance of such other person as the Township Supervisors may direct.

If the administrative official shall find that any of the provisions of this Chapter are being violated, he shall notify in writing the person responsible for such violations, indicating the nature of the violation and ordering the action necessary to correct it. He shall order discontinuance of illegal use of land, buildings, or structures; removal of illegal buildings or structures or of illegal additions, alterations, or structural changes; discontinuance of any illegal work being done; or shall take any other action authorized by this Chapter to ensure compliance with or to prevent violation of its provisions.

(Ord. 7/8/1978, § 17.01)

No building or other structure shall be erected, constructed, moved, added to, altered, nor the use therein changed without a permit therefor issued by the administrative official except in conformity with the provisions of this Chapter, unless he receives a written order from the Zoning Hearing Board in the form of an administrative review, Special Exception, or variance as provided by this Chapter.

(Ord. 7/8/1978, § 17.02)

   1.   Application for Zoning Permit. The application for a zoning permit shall be submitted in such form as the Zoning Administrator may prescribe by the owner or lessee of any building, structure or land or the agent of either, provided, however, that if the application is made by a person other than the owner or lessee, the applicant shall demonstrate that the application has authorization from the owner or lessee to make such application. The full name and address of the applicant and the landowner, if different, shall be stated on the application. If the applicant is a corporation, the names and addresses of the officers of the corporation shall be included on the application. If the applicant is requesting a reasonable accommodation under the United States Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 or the Americans with Disabilities Act, the applicant shall identify the disability which is protected by such statutes, the extent of the modification of the provisions of this Chapter necessary for a reasonable accommodation, and the manner by which the reasonable accommodation requested may be removed when such person with a protected disability no longer will be present on the property.

   2.   Description of the Work. The application shall contain a description of the proposed work and/or use and occupancy of the building, structure and/or land and any other information required by the Zoning Administrator to determine compliance with this Chapter and other applicable Township and County ordinances, statutes and regulations. The application shall be accompanied by plans in a form acceptable to the Zoning Administrator, drawn to scale, showing the actual dimensions and shape of the lot, the size and location and dimensions of the proposed use, building or alteration, distance from existing lot lines and street right-of-way lines, parking areas, and other pertinent information. The application shall be accompanied by all required fees as established by the Board of Supervisors by ordinance or resolution.

   3.   Approval or Disapproval of Application. Upon receipt of the application, the Zoning Administrator shall examine the application and supporting information to determine compliance with this Chapter and other applicable Township and County ordinances, statutes and regulations. The Zoning Administrator shall determine if subdivision and/or land development approval has been obtained, if State sanitation inspection requirements have been met, and, in the case of public buildings, the required permits have been issued by the Department of Labor and Industry. No zoning permit shall be issued unless the applicant presents the Zoning Administrator with proof that any applicable subdivision and/or land development approval has been granted, a sewage permit has been issued by the Township Sewage Enforcement Officer for the lot, a driveway permit under the Township Driveway Ordinance or a PENNDOT Highway Occupancy Permit has been issued in order that access may be gained to the lot, and all other required Township approvals and permits have been granted or issued. The Zoning Administrator shall mark the application as either approved or disapproved. The Zoning Administrator shall retain a copy of the application for the Township files. If disapproved, the Zoning Administrator shall forward a statement to the application explaining the reasons for such disapproval and informing the applicant of his right to appeal to the Zoning Hearing Board.

   4.   Issuance and Posting of Permits. Upon approval of the application by the Zoning Administrator, the Zoning Administrator shall issue a zoning permit and a placard which placard shall be visibly posted on the site of operations during the entire time of construction.

(Ord. 7/8/1978, § 17.03; as amended by Ord. 10-10-01, 10/10/2001, § 22)

   1.   It shall be unlawful to use, occupy or permit the use or occupancy of any building or premises, or both, or part thereof hereafter created, if erected, converted, or wholly or partly altered or enlarged in its use of structure until a Certificate of Zoning Compliance has been issued by the administrative official stating that the proposed use of the building or land conforms to this Chapter.

   2.   No nonconforming structure or use shall be maintained, renewed, changed, or extended until a Certificate of Zoning Compliance shall have been issued by the administrative official. The Certificate of Zoning Compliance shall state specifically wherein the nonconforming use differs from the provisions of this Chapter. Upon enactment or amendment of this Chapter, owners or occupants of nonconforming uses or structures shall apply for Certificates of Zoning Compliance.

   3.   No permits for erection, alteration, moving, or repair of any building shall be issued until an application has been made for a Certificate of Zoning Compliance, and the certificate shall be issued in conformity with the provisions of this Chapter upon completion of the work.

   4.   A temporary Certificate of Zoning Compliance may be issued by the administrative official for a period not to exceed six (6) months during alterations or partial occupancy of a building pending its completion. Such temporary Certificate may include such conditions and safeguards as will protect the safety of the occupants and public.

   5.   The administrative official shall maintain a record of all Certificates of Zoning Compliance and a copy shall be furnished upon request of any person.

   6.   Failure to obtain a Certificate of Zoning Compliance shall be a violation of this Chapter and punishable under § 2005 of this Chapter.

(Ord. 7/8/1978, § 17.04)

It is recognized that it may be in accordance with the purpose of this Chapter to permit temporary activities for a limited period of time, which activities may be prohibited by other provisions of this Chapter. If such uses are of such a nature and are so located that, at the time of petition of Special Exception they will:

   A.   In no way exert a detrimental effect upon the uses of land and activities normally permitted in the zone, or

   B.   Contribute materially to the welfare of the Township, particularly in a state of emergency, under conditions peculiar to the time and place involved, then the Zoning Hearing Board may, subject to all regulations for the issuance of Special Exceptions elsewhere specified, direct the Zoning Officer to issue a permit for a period not to exceed six (6) months. Such permits may be extended not more than once for an additional period of six (6) months.

(Ord. 7/8/1978, § 17.05)

   1.   If the work described in any building permit has not begun within ninety (90) days from the issuance thereof, said permit shall expire; it shall be cancelled by the administrative official; and written notice thereof shall be given to the persons affected.

   2.   If the work described in any building permit has not been substantially completed within two (2) years of the date of issuance thereof, said permit shall expire and be cancelled by the administrative official, and written notice that future work as described in the cancelled permit shall not proceed unless and until a new building permit has been obtained.

(Ord. 7/8/1978, § 17.06)

Building permits or Certificates of Zoning Compliance issued on the basis of plans and applications approved by the administrative official authorize only the use, arrangement and construction set forth in such approval plans and applications. No changes of any kind shall be made to the application, permit or any of the plans submitted with the application without the written approval of the Zoning Officer. Use, arrangement or construction at variance with that authorized shall be deemed a violation of this Chapter and punishable as provided by § 2005 hereof.

(Ord. 7/8/1978, § 17.07)