Springfield Township
City Zoning Code

It shall be the duty of the Zoning Officer, or other designated official of the Township to enforce the provisions of this chapter. In addition, the Zoning Officer or the Assistant Engineer shall have the power to approve or disapprove all applications for changes of occupancy.

No construction, reconstruction, structural alteration, enlargement, movement, demolition or change of use or occupancy for which a construction permit is required pursuant to the Uniform Construction Code of the State of New Jersey shall be undertaken until there has been filed with the Construction Code Enforcement Official a plot plan in duplicate, drawn to scale, showing the actual dimensions, radii and angles of the lot to be built upon, the exact size and location of all structure(s) or building(s) supplemented by such other information as may be necessary to provide for the enforcement of this chapter and the Uniform Construction Code and to determine the propriety of the issuance of a Construction Permit therefor by the said Official.

No construction permit shall be issued for the erection, construction, reconstruction, structural alteration or moving of any building or structure or part thereof, unless the plans and intended use indicate that such building or structure is designed and intended to conform in all respects to the provisions of this chapter.

After construction of the foundation footings of a building or structure, the owner shall cause a survey to be made by a licensed surveyor, showing the location of such footing with respect to the lot lines of the lot using the same datum used for sidewalk and/or street pavement construction. A copy of such survey shall be filed with and approved by the Township Engineer before any further construction is commenced. Said approval shall be in writing and issued to the Construction Code Enforcement Official. Upon final completion of a building or structure and before a certificate of occupancy is issued, the owner shall furnish a final certified survey to the Township Engineer showing the final grades at all corners of the building or structure to be substantially as originally submitted. In the event that the final certified survey reflects substantial changes as the corners of the building or structure as compared with the survey filed after construction of the foundation footings, such survey must be accompanied by a detailed explanation furnished by a licensed surveyor, detailing the reasons for said changes and certifying that the changes will not adversely affect drainage conditions on the subject lot or abutting lots. Other inspections will be required under the BOCA Code and the Uniform Construction Code. If it is found that the change adversely affects the property and adjacent lots, it shall be referred back to the reviewing Board or Agency.

The Construction Code Enforcement Official shall have the authority to consult with and receive the recommendations of the Fire and Police Departments, Township Planner, Township Engineer and any other municipal agency or officer prior to the issuance of any construction permit.

The Construction Code Enforcement Official shall keep a record of all construction permits applied for, whether approved or denied, together with copies of all plans and specifications submitted with each application, which record shall be available for public inspection. A monthly report of Construction Permits issued shall be filed with the Township Assessor.

Until a certificate of occupancy is issued by the Construction Code Enforcement Official, it shall be unlawful to use or to permit the use of any building or structure, lot or land, or part thereof which is created, erected, changed, converted, re-used, re-occupied, altered or enlarged, in whole or in part, after the effective date of this chapter, or to use any premises which are existing as of the effective date of this chapter for any purpose other than the purpose for which they are already being used.

The fee for a certificate of occupancy shall be as established by Township Ordinance. Said fee shall be payable at the same time as the fee is paid to the Office of the Construction Code Enforcement Official for the issuance of a construction permit.

Prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy the Construction Code Official shall request to receive a letter from the Department of Engineering, Construction Services and Code Enforcement indicating that all site work, including grading has been satisfactorily completed.

If any section, subsection, paragraph, clause, phrase or provision of this chapter or the location of any district boundary shown on the Zoning Map that forms a part hereof shall be adjudged invalid or held unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of this chapter as a whole or any part or provisions hereof other than the part so adjudged to be invalid or unconstitutional.