Upper Gwynedd Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ARTICLE IX
Administration
§ 195-46 Enforcement; appointment of administrator.
A.
The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced by a Zoning Officer with the aid of the Police Department and other municipal agencies.
B.
The Zoning Officer shall be appointed annually at the first meeting of the Board of Commissioners in January to serve for a period of one year or until his successor is appointed.
§ 195-47 Powers and duties of administrator.
A.
It shall be the duty of the Zoning Officer, and he shall have the power to:
(1)
Keep a record of all plans and applications for permits and all permits issued, with notations as to special conditions attached thereto. All records shall be open for public inspection.
(2)
Review applications for zoning permits within 14 days of receipt of a completed application for erection or alteration of structures or change of use, determine whether such construction or use is in accordance with the general requirements of this chapter, all other applicable ordinances and with the laws and regulations of the commonwealth; the Zoning Officer shall issue no permit unless it conforms to all applicable ordinances, statutes and regulations.
(3)
Conduct inspections and surveys to determine compliance or noncompliance with the terms of this chapter. In carrying out such surveys, the Zoning Officer or his representative may enter upon any land or building.
(4)
Make written orders requiring compliance with the provisions of this chapter, to be served personally or by certified mail.
(5)
Maintain a map showing the current zoning classification of all land.
(6)
Review all applications to the Zoning Hearing Board and participate in all proceedings before the Board.
B.
The Zoning Officer shall issue no permit for the construction or use of any land or building unless it also conforms to the requirements of all other ordinances of Upper Gwynedd Township and with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
§ 195-48 Permits required.
A.
No structure shall be constructed, altered, added in any way, relocated or demolished, or the use of any structure changed, or industrial or public water supply wells drilled, nor shall any unoccupied open areas of any lot be utilized, whether for patios, swimming pools, parking areas or other uses, until a zoning permit is secured from the Zoning Officer.
B.
A use and occupancy permit shall be required prior to any of the following:
(1)
Each change in use of any commercial or industrial building or property where a building permit is not applicable.
(2)
Each change in occupancy of any commercial or industrial building or property where a building permit is not applicable.
(3)
Use of land.
(4)
Change in occupancy of any nonconforming use where a building permit is not applicable.
C.
A permit issued under the authority of this chapter shall expire six months after date of issuance, unless the permittee shall have commenced substantial construction or utilization of the property which is the subject of the permit, in accordance with the tenor thereof, within such period.
D.
Upon completion of the work authorized by any permit, the applicant for the permit shall notify the Zoning Officer of such completion. No permit shall be considered as complete or as permanently effective until the Zoning Officer has noted on the permit that the work has been inspected and approved as being in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
§ 195-49 Applications.
A.
All applications for zoning permits shall be made in writing by the owner or authorized agent and shall be filed with the Zoning Officer. The application shall:
(1)
Include a statement as to the proposed use of the structure or land.
(2)
Be accompanied by a plan, drawn to scale, showing the location of the structure in relation to property and road lines.
(3)
Include a statement that the side lines of all roads shown on the plan have been located and staked on the premises by a surveyor or other person competent to give such location.
(4)
Give the name and address of the person who has so located and staked the road lines.
B.
If the applicant desires the Zoning Hearing Board to grant a special exception or variance, then, in addition, the application shall set forth the nature of the special exception or variance and shall state briefly the reasons why such special exception or variance should be granted.
§ 195-50 Fees.
Each applicant for any permit required under this chapter, or for any variance from or special exception to this chapter, shall, at the time of making application, pay to the Zoning Officer for the use of the Township a fee or fees in accordance with a fee schedule adopted by resolution of the Board of Commissioners or as such schedule may be amended from time to time by resolution of the Board of Commissioners.
§ 195-51 Appeals.
An appeal from the decision of the Zoning Officer shall be taken within 30 days thereof.