1. Zoning Permit.
A. Scope.
(1) No person shall construct, reconstruct, erect, expand, extend, convert, add, structurally change or structurally alter, or change the use of any structure, sign, or building, change or alter the use of any land or structure, nor commence the grading of any lot until the Zoning Officer issues a zoning permit to the person for said activity.
(2) No zoning permit is required for normal maintenance repairs.
B. Types of Uses.
(1) A zoning permit for a permitted use may be issued by the Zoning Officer.
(2) A zoning permit for a use requiring a special exception or variance shall be issued by the Zoning Officer only upon the written order of the Zoning Hearing Board after a hearing.
(3) A zoning permit for a conditional use shall be issued by the Zoning Officer only upon the written order of the Board of Commissioners following a review by the Planning Commission and a hearing by the Board of Commissioners.
C. Application.
(1) All applications for a zoning permit shall be in writing on a form provided by the Zoning Officer and shall be submitted to the Zoning Officer together with all applicable fees.
(2) Any application in which a structure is proposed to be located within twice the required setback of a property line shall be submitted with a plot plan bearing the seal of a registered surveyor.
(3) A plot plan drawn to scale showing the location and dimensions of the lot area and of the proposed uses of buildings and/or land shall be required by the Zoning Officer for any use which involves physical changes to the land. The Zoning Officer, the Zoning Hearing Board, or the Planning Commission may require any additional information deemed necessary to properly evaluate the application for the purpose of determining its conformity with this chapter. (See also the site plan review requirements of §
27-2402 of this chapter, if applicable.)
(4) Prior to the issuance of any zoning permit, the Zoning Officer shall review the application for such permit to determine if all other governmental permits known by the Zoning Officer to be needed (such as those required by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry for fire safety of rental units, the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act or the Federal Water Pollution Control Act) have been obtained. No permit shall be issued until this determination has been made. The Township is not responsible for notifying the applicants of all permits needed.
(5) The Zoning Officer shall submit a copy of any plan and application to any appropriate Township agencies and/or officials (e.g., Planning Commission, Township Engineer, etc.) for review and comment.
D. Issuance.
(1) The Zoning Officer shall issue or refuse an application for a zoning permit for a use permitted by right within 15 days after the date such application was made except as specifically provided for in this chapter, or if an extension is granted by the applicant.
(2) A zoning permit shall be issued in at least triplicate.
(3) One copy shall be conspicuously posted by the applicant on the premises. No person shall perform building operations of any kind unless a zoning permit is being displayed as required by this chapter.
(4) After the issuance of a zoning permit by the Zoning Officer, no changes of any kind shall be made to the application, permit, plans, specifications, or other documents submitted with the application without the written consent or approval of the Zoning Officer.
E. The Zoning Officer may revoke a permit or approval issued under the provisions of this chapter in the case of any false statement or misrepresentation of fact in the application or on the plans on which the permit or approval was based or for any other cause set forth in this chapter.
F. A temporary permit may be authorized by the Zoning Hearing Board for a nonconforming structure or use which it deems necessary to promote the proper development of the community, provided that such nonconforming structure or use shall be completely removed upon expiration of the permit without cost to the municipality. Such permits shall be issued for a specified period of time not to exceed one year, and may be renewed annually for an aggregate period not exceeding three years.
