Westmont City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XIII
Administrative Provisions
§ 225-65 Building permits.
A.
No building or structure shall be erected, added to or structurally altered until a permit has been issued by the Zoning Officer. No such building permit shall be issued if the activity for which the permit is to be granted does not conform to any of the provisions of this chapter, except upon grant of a variance or special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board.
B.
There shall be submitted with all application for building permits two copies of a site or plot plan, drawn to scale, showing actual dimensions of the lot, the exact size and location on the lot of the building and accessory buildings and such other information as may be necessary to determine and provide for the enforcement of this chapter. Where a special exception is required, the site or plot plan, in addition to any specific regulations set forth in the district regulations, shall show the following:
(1)
The location of principal and accessory buildings.
(2)
Traffic circulation features within the site.
(3)
The location of vehicular traffic onto the site.
(4)
The proposed height and size of structures.
(5)
The provision for off-street parking and loading facilities.
(6)
The provision for open space.
(7)
The landscaping, paving, fencing, walls and signs on the site.
C.
Before a building permit will be issued, the building must be staked on the ground by a registered engineer or registered surveyor, and proof thereof furnished to the Zoning Officer, at the expense of the applicant.
§ 225-66 Certificates of occupancy.
A.
Certificates of occupancy shall be required only for the following:
(1)
Residential uses in any district.
(2)
Nonresidential uses in any district.
(3)
Multiple dwelling units in R Districts.
(4)
Home occupation uses, as defined in § 225-6. The owner/occupant shall provide to the Zoning Officer a notarized signed statement of intended use.
(5)
Nonconforming uses in any district.
C.
After completion of a building or structure for which a building permit has been issued and inspection has determined that all requirements of all codes and ordinances of the Borough have been met, a certificate of occupancy, whenever required, shall be issued by the Zoning Officer, stating that the building and proposed use thereof complies with the provisions of this chapter.
D.
No nonconforming use shall be maintained, renewed or changed without a certificate of occupancy having been secured from the Zoning Officer within one year from the effective date of this chapter.
E.
Whenever a certificate of occupancy is required, it shall be applied for at the same time as the application for a building permit. Said certificate will be issued within 10 days after the erection or alteration and inspection, if the building or use is found to be in accordance with all codes and ordinances.
F.
The Zoning Officer shall maintain a record of all certificates of occupancy. Copies will be furnished upon request to any person having proprietary or tenancy interest in the building affected.
G.
No permit for excavation for or the erection or alteration of or repairs to any buildings shall be issued until an application has been made for a certificate of occupancy, whenever the same is required.
§ 225-67 Fees; building permit term and renewal; special exception use permit.
A.
Building permit fees for the following categories shall be as set forth from time to time by resolution of the Borough Council.
[Amended 1-13-1987 by Ord. No. 644; 10-13-1992 by Ord. No. 698]
(1)
Application fee for alterations or other small structures.
(2)
Building permit fee for alterations or other small structures.
(3)
Application fee and building permit fees for new one-family dwellings, two-family dwellings and/or multiple dwellings, as follows:
(4)
Application fee for the erection, addition to or structural alteration of any commercial building, church, school, barn or other large structure not used for residential purposes.
(5)
Building permit fee for the erection, addition to or structural alteration of any commercial building, church, school, barn or other large structure not used for residential purposes.
B.
In determining the amount for building permit fees, the Zoning Officer shall approve the estimated cost of construction after review of the building plans and any other necessary data he may require from the applicant.
C.
A fee as set forth from time to time by resolution of the Borough Council shall be charged for a certificate of occupancy that is required for a building or structure in a residential (R) district or a Commercial (C) District, or for a nonconforming use in any district, or for a home occupation use in any residential (R) district.
[Amended 1-13-1987 by Ord. No. 644; 10-13-1992 by Ord. No. 698]
D.
Copies of an original building permit or certificate of occupancy can be obtained by payment of the sum as set forth from time to time by resolution of the Borough Council.
[Amended 1-13-1987 by Ord. No. 644]
E.
All fees and permits, including occupancy permit fees, shall be made payable to the Borough of Westmont and shall be paid in advance of actual work and before issuance of a permit.
[Amended 1-13-1987 by Ord. No. 644]
F.
Validity; renewals.
[Amended 12-12-1995 by Ord. No. 722]
(1)
A building permit shall be valid for one year from the date of issuance. All work for which a building permit was issued shall be completed during the term of a valid permit. In the event that construction is not completed under a valid permit and no extension or renewal is requested, the Westmont Borough Council shall then have the authority to proceed in accordance with the Nuisance Ordinance (Ordinance No. 698, Chapter 145) or the Dangerous Building Ordinance (Ordinance No. 698, Chapter 85) to eliminate any condition which shall be deemed to be a blight and/or is contrary to the health, safety and welfare of the community.
(2)
In the event that construction work is anticipated to extend beyond the term of a valid permit, the permit holder shall request a renewal or extension from the Zoning Hearing Board as a special exception. Any such request must be in writing at least 60 days prior to the date of expiration of the permit. The Zoning Hearing Board shall have the authority to place special conditions on any renewal or extension of a building permit. This would include, but is not limited to, construction schedules, number of extensions and the length of time that a renewal or extension of a permit is valid.
G.
Special exception use permit.
[Added 5-5-1984 by Ord. No. 618]
(1)
The special exception use permit required by Article XV, § 255-72C shall be obtained from Zoning Officer, who shall charge therefor a fee as set forth from time to time by the Borough Council for each day of such use. No fee shall be charged under this subsection to farmers selling their own produce, for the sale of goods, wares and merchandise donated by the owners thereof, the proceeds whereof are to be applied to any charitable or philanthropic purpose, or to any manufacturer or producer in the sale of bread and bakery products, meat and meat products or milk or milk products.
[Amended 10-13-1992 by Ord. No. 698]