(a) Enforcement Notice. If it appears to the Township that a violation of this Zoning Code has occurred, the Township shall initiate enforcement proceedings by sending an enforcement notice to the owner of record of the parcel on which the violation has occurred, to any person who has riled a written request to receive an enforcement notice regarding that parcel, and to any other person requested in writing by the owner of record. An enforcement notice shall state at least the following:
(1) The name of the owner of record and any other person against whom the municipality intends to take action.
(2) The location of the property in violation.
(3) The specific violation with a description of the requirements which have not been met, citing in each instance the applicable provisions of the Zoning Code.
(4) The date before which the steps for compliance must be commenced and the date before which the steps must be completed.
(5) That the recipient of the notice has the right to appeal to the Zoning Hearing Board within a prescribed period of time in accordance with procedures set forth in this Zoning Code.
(6) That failure to comply with the notice within the time specified, unless extended by appeal to the Zoning Hearing Board, constitutes a violation, with possible sanctions clearly described.
(b) Causes of Action. In case any building, structure, landscaping or land is, or is proposed to be, erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered, converted, maintained or used in violation of any ordinance enacted under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code or prior enabling laws, the governing body or, with the approval of the governing body, an officer of the Municipality, or any aggrieved owner or tenant of real property who shows that his property or person will be substantially affected by the alleged violation, in addition to other remedies, may institute any appropriate action or proceeding to prevent, restrain, correct or abate such building, structure, landscaping or land, or to prevent, in or about such premises, any act, conduct, business or use constituting a violation, When any such action is instituted by a landowner or tenant, notice of that action shall be served upon the Municipality at least thirty days prior to the time the action is begun by serving a copy of the complaint on the governing body of the Municipality. No such action may be maintained until such notice has been given.
(Ord. 662. Passed 2-21-90.)
(a) Requirement for Permits. A permit shall be required prior to the erection or alteration of any building, structure or portion thereof, including signs; prior to the use or change in use of a building or land; and prior to the change or extension of a nonconforming use or structure.
(b) Application for Permits. Application for permits shall be made to the Township CEO on such forms as may be furnished by the Township. Each application shall contain all information necessary to ascertain whether the proposed erection, alteration, use or change in use complies with the provisions of this Zoning Code.
(c) Issuance of Permits.
(1) No building or use permit shall be issued until the CEO has certified that the proposed building or alteration and the proposed use of the property complies with the provisions of this Zoning Code.
(2) Permits shall be ranted or refused within forty-five days after the date of application. In case of refusal the applicant shall be informed of his right to appeal to the Zoning Hearing Board.
(d) Expiration of Permits. Permits for the erection, razing, change, alteration, or removal of a building shall be valid or effective for a period of not more than six months from the date of issuance thereof and shall thereafter be void, unless the work authorized by such permit shall have been substantially commenced within that period and continues with due diligence from that time forward. In no event shall a zoning permit be construed to authorize the development activities for more than a three-year period of time, after which time a new permit must be sought. If, however, the applicant has been delayed in proceeding with the work for which the permit was ranted for reasons beyond his or her control and demonstrably not due to his or her own negligence, at the discretion of the CEO the permit may be renewed without additional cost to the applicant.
(e) Certificates of Occupancy.
(1) Upon completion of the erection or alteration of any building or portion thereof authorized by any permit obtained in compliance with this Zoning Code, the holder of the permit shall notify the CEO of completion. No permit shall be considered complete or permanently effective until the CEO has issued a certificate of occupancy certifying that the work has been inspected and approved as being in conformity with the permit and the provisions of this Zoning Code.
(2) Prior to the transfer of ownership, lease or use of property, a certificate of occupancy must be obtained from the CEO.
(3) A certificate of occupancy shall be granted or refused within fifteen days after the CEO has been notified of completion of construction or within fifteen days of application to occupy premises or land.
1991 Replacement
(f) Fees and Penalties.
(1) The Board of Commissioners shall establish, by resolution, a schedule of fees, charges, expenses and collection procedures for building permits, certificates of occupancy, sign permits, special exceptions, variances, appeals, amendments and other matters pertaining to this Zoning Code.
(2) A schedule of fees shall be posted in the office of the CEO and may be altered or amended by the Board of Commissioners only.
(3) No action shall be taken on any application for any special exception, variance, appeal or other similar matter pertaining to this Zoning Code until all application fees, charges and expenses have been paid in full. (Ord. 662. Passed 2-21-90.)