A zoning permit and building permit shall be required prior to the erection, alteration, renovation or demolition of any building, structure or portion thereof. A zoning permit and a use and occupancy certificate shall be required prior to the use or change in use and occupancy of a building or land and prior to the change or extension of a nonconforming use. All permits shall expire one year from the date of issuance; provided, however, that if work is not commenced within 90 days from the date of the permit, the permit shall automatically expire and a new permit shall be required before such work commences. Zoning permits shall also be required for any disturbance or removal of any natural resource protected in accordance with the requirements of §§ 195-60, 195-61, and 195-64 of this Code. In addition to the fines authorized by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code[1] for violation of the ordinance, persons failing to obtain a permit for disturbance or removal of any natural resource shall be required to replace or restore the resource disturbed or removed. In the event woodlands are disturbed or trees removed beyond what is permitted under §§ 195-60, 195-61, and 195-64 of this chapter, the person found responsible for the disturbance of woodlands or removal of trees shall replace the trees in accordance with the standards of § 195-64 of this chapter. If the required replacement trees cannot be planted on the property from which they were removed, the trees shall be planted on public grounds at the direction of the Board of Supervisors.

Applications for permits shall be made to the Zoning Officer on such forms as may be furnished by the Township. Each application shall contain all information necessary for such official to ascertain whether the proposed construction, erection, alteration, use or change of use complies with the provisions of this chapter. The application shall consist of two parts:

No zoning permit, building permit or use and occupancy certificate shall be issued until the Building Inspector and Zoning Officer have certified that the proposed building or alteration and the proposed use or activity of the property comply with all the provisions of this chapter, Chapter 163, Subdivision and Land Development, and any other applicable ordinances or acts of assembly. A zoning permit, building permit or use and occupancy certificate shall be granted or refused within 30 days after the Zoning Officer has been notified of the completion of the authorized construction or alteration or, where no construction or alteration is involved, within 30 days after receipt of written application therefor. Pending completion of a building or of alterations thereto, a temporary certificate of occupancy may be issued by the Zoning Officer for the use of a part or all of the building, provided that such temporary occupancy or use would not tend to in any way jeopardize life or property. No zoning permit for any new use or construction which will involve the on-site disposal of sewage or waste and no zoning permit for a change in use or an alteration which will result in an increased volume of sewage or waste to be disposed of on the site shall be issued until a certificate of approval has been issued by the Bucks County Department of Health. No zoning permit or use and occupancy permit which will change the volume or velocity of stormwater leaving the site, or which alters the points of discharge of stormwater from the site will be issued unless and until the applicant demonstrates compliance with the stormwater management regulations set forth in Chapters 157 and 163 of this Code.

Fees for permits shall be paid in accordance with the Township Fee Schedule as adopted by resolution by the Board of Supervisors, and all such fees shall be paid into the Township Treasury. Each applicant for an appeal, special exception, variance, conditional use or other requested relief shall, at the time of making application, pay a fee, in accordance with the aforementioned Fee Schedule, for the cost of advertising, mailing notices and postage as required by this chapter and the rules of the Zoning Hearing Board. The cost for a stenographer for a hearing shall be shared equally between the applicant and the Board. Transcription costs are paid by the party wanting a copy, but in an appeal, the party appealing the decision shall pay for the cost of the transcript.

After the zoning and building permits are issued for all new residential and nonresidential construction as required by the Zoning Officer subsequent to the placement of the foundation or slab but prior to the commencement of framing, a second survey to be known as a "confirmation plan" shall be submitted to the Township Zoning Officer or his or her designee for purposes of attesting to the proper transfer of the elevations established on the plot plan for the actual basement and/or foundation area, garage and first-floor elevation, and to verify proper location of the basement and/or foundation area within the building setback lines. The plan shall include locations, elevation, reference points or benchmarks and be dated, signed and sealed by the registered engineer or land surveyor. The confirmation plan shall be submitted for certification as acceptable by the Township prior to the initiation of framing. This requirement shall be listed by the Zoning Officer on a zoning permit as a condition of approval.

Prior to the issuance of a certification of use and occupancy and as a condition for all new residential and nonresidential construction (except for additions and accessory buildings on residential lots), an as-built survey, with all details established in the plot plan, shall be filed with the Township Zoning Officer or designated official. The requirement shall be listed by the Zoning Officer on a zoning permit as a condition of approval.

All applicants for zoning permits, special exceptions, conditional uses and interpretations or variance appeals shall, at the time of making application, pay to the Zoning Officer for use of the municipality a fee in accordance with the Fee Schedule adopted by resolution of the governing body upon the enactment of this chapter or such schedule as may be amended by resolution of the governing body. In addition, an escrow deposit may be required. The escrow deposit requirements shall be set from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.