(A)   A Zoning Administrator designated by the Town Council shall administer and enforce this chapter. The Zoning Administrator may be provided with the assistance of the other persons as the South Congaree Town Council may direct. It is the intent of this chapter that all questions of administration and enforcement shall first be presented to the Zoning Board of Appeals only upon reference by, or appeal from, the Zoning Administrator, and that recourse from the decisions of the Zoning Board of Appeals shall be to the courts as provided by law.

   (B)   The Zoning Administrator shall administer this chapter with its literal terms and shall have the authority to stop work not complying with the provisions of this chapter, but shall not have the power to permit any construction or any use or any change of use which does not conform to the provisions of this chapter.

   (C)   It is further the intent of this chapter that the function of the Town Council under this chapter shall not include hearing and deciding questions of interpretation and enforcement which may arise, but that the Town Council shall have only the responsibility for acting on proposals for amendment or repeal of this chapter, and for establishing a schedule of fees and charges as herein provided.

   (D)   The Zoning Administrator, the Planning Commission, its members and employees in the performance of its function, may enter at a reasonable time upon any land, make examinations and survey, and place and maintain necessary monuments and markers thereon; provided, however, that the Planning Commission shall be liable for any injury or damage to property resulting therefrom.

(1985 Code, § 9-151)

   The duties of the Zoning Administrator shall include:

   (A)   Interpretation of the terms and provisions of this chapter;

   (B)   Administration of the provisions of this chapter relating to zoning permits;

   (C)   Administration of the provisions of this chapter relating to applications for variances, appeals from an administrative decision and other actions before the Zoning Board of Appeals;

   (D)   Administration of the provisions of this chapter relating to applications for zoning amendments, the presentation of same to the Planning Commission and Town Council, and giving notice of hearings on the amendment requests as specified herein;

   (E)   The receipt of complaints from persons who allege that violations of this chapter have occurred, to properly investigate or cause to be investigated the complaints, and to initiate or cause to be initiated action to prevent, enjoin, abate or remove the violations;

   (F)   The maintenance of the official copy of the zoning text and zoning map and other records and official materials as may relate to the adoption, amendment, enforcement or administration of this chapter; and

   (G)   Other duties as may properly relate to the accomplishment of the spirit and intent of this chapter.

(1985 Code, § 9-152)

   It shall be unlawful to commence the excavation or filling of any lot for the construction of any building or mobile home or module or to commence construction of any building or to commence the moving or alteration of any building or mobile home or or module or to commence the development of land for a use not requiring a building until the Zoning Administrator has issued a zoning permit for the work. Form ZF.001 is to be the official zoning permit application for the conduct of this chapter. (1985 Code, § 9-153) Penalty, see § 158.999

   (A)   In applying to the Zoning Administrator for a zoning permit, the applicant shall submit an actual dimensioned sketch or scale plan indicating the shape, size and location of the lot to be built upon; the shape, exact size, height, use and location of all the buildings already existing on the lot; the number of dwelling units the building is designed to accommodate, if any, the location and dimension of the proposed building or alteration; the setback lines of buildings on adjoining lots; off-street parking space; and other information concerning the lot or adjoining lots as may be essential for determining whether the provisions of this chapter are being observed.

   (B)   The Zoning Administrator may waive the requirements for a scale drawing in the case of an application for a single-family or two (2)-family dwelling provided that sufficient information is received to insure compliance with the provisions of this chapter.

   (C)   (1)   If the proposed excavation, filling or construction, as set forth in the application is in conformity with the provisions of this chapter and other ordinances of South Congaree, South Carolina, then in force, the Zoning Administrator shall issue a zoning permit upon payment of any required fees.

      (2)   If a zoning permit is refused, the Zoning Administrator shall state the refusal in writing with the cause.

   (D)   The zoning permit shall contain at least the following information:

      (1)   The name and address of the applicant;

      (2)   The block or street number(s) of the lot(s) to which the permit applies;

      (3)   The zoning district in which the property is located;

      (4)   Whether the permit authorizes excavation or construction (if construction, the type of structure to be built);

      (5)   The date of the application; and

      (6)   The signatures of the applicant and the Zoning Administrator.

   (E)   Before commencing either excavation or construction, the zoning permit (or copy thereof) shall be placed conspicuously on the excavation or construction and in a way that it is protected from the weather.

(1985 Code, § 9-154) Penalty, see § 158.999

   Any zoning permit shall become invalid unless the work authorized by it has been commenced with six (6) months of the date of its issuance, or if the works is suspended or abandoned for any period of one (1) year.

(1985 Code, § 9-155) Penalty, see § 158.999

   Records of applications for zoning permits, records of plats and plans in connection with the permits, and records of all occupancy certificates and denials shall be kept on file in the office of the Zoning Administrator and copies shall be furnished on request to any person have a proprietary or tenancy interest in the building or land involved.

(1985 Code, § 9-156)

   Whenever a violation of this chapter occurs, or is alleged to have occurred, any person may file a written complaint. The complaint stating fully the causes and basis thereof, shall be filed with the Zoning Administrator. He or she shall record the complaint properly, investigate promptly and take action thereon as provided by this chapter.

(1985 Code, § 9-157)

   In case any building or structure is erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered, repaired, converted or maintained, or any building, structure or land is used in violation of this chapter, the Zoning Administrator or any other appropriate authority, or any adjacent or neighboring property owner who would be damaged by the violations, in addition to other remedies, may institute injunction or other appropriate action or proceeding to prevent the violation in the case of the building, structure, or land.

(1985 Code, § 9-159)