(A) Permit required. A zoning permit shall be required prior to the erection, addition, or alteration of any building or structure or portion thereof; prior to the use or change in use of a building, structure, or land; and prior to the change or extension of a nonconforming use.
(1) Application for permits. All applications for zoning permits shall be accompanied by plans in duplicate, drawn to scale, showing the actual shape and dimensions of the lot to be built upon, the exact size and location of any buildings existing on the lot, the lines within which the proposed building or structure shall be erected or altered, the existing and intended use of each building or part of a building, the number of families or dwelling units the building is designed to accommodate, and such information as may be necessary to determine compliance with this chapter and all other pertinent ordinances. One copy of such plans shall be returned to the owner when such plans shall be approved. All applications with accompanying plans and documents shall become a public record after a permit is issued or denied.
(2) Issuance of permits. A zoning permit shall not be issued until it is certified that the proposed building, addition, or alteration will comply with all the provisions of this chapter, as well as with all of the provisions of the Floodplain Building Code.
(3) Time frame. All work authorized by a zoning permit shall be completed within one year of the date of issuance of the said permit.
(B) Temporary zoning permits. A temporary zoning permit may be authorized by the Zoning Hearing Board for a nonconforming structure or use which it deems beneficial to the public health or general welfare or 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 temporary zoning permit. Such temporary 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. The method of application and issuance provided for zoning permits, above, shall also apply to temporary zoning permits.
(C) Certificate of nonconformance. An application for a certificate of nonconformance shall be made to the Zoning Officer by the owner of any property which, at the time of the effective date of this chapter, does not conform to the provisions of this chapter. Such application shall be made within 90 days after the effective date of this chapter, and the certificate of nonconformance shall set forth in detail all of the nonconforming conditions of said property. This certificate shall be for the purpose of ensuring to such owner the right to continue a nonconforming use in accordance with the regulations of this chapter. A copy of the certificate of nonconformance shall be retained by the Zoning Officer.
(D) Appeals; application for variances and special exceptions. An appeal, or application for a special exception or variance from the terms of this chapter, may be filed with the Zoning Officer and shall state:
(1) The name and address of the applicant or appellant;
(2) The name and address of the owner of the real estate to be affected by such proposed exception or variance, or appeal;
(3) A brief description and location of the real estate to be affected by such proposed change or appeal;
(4) A statement of the present zoning classification of the real estate in question, the improvements thereon, and the present use thereof;
(5) A statement of the section of this chapter under which the variance or exception requested may be allowed, and reasons why it should be granted, or a statement of the section of this chapter governing the situation in which the alleged erroneous ruling is being appealed and reasons for the appeal; and
(6) A reasonably accurate description of the present improvements, and the additions or changes intended to be made under this application, indicating the location and size of the lot and size of improvements now erected and proposed to be erected thereon.
(E) Zoning Hearing Board certificate. It shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Zoning Hearing Board to issue a Zoning Hearing Board certificate which shall indicate the action of the Zoning Hearing Board on applications for a special exception, or a variance or opinion on review. The Zoning Hearing Board may cancel or revoke a Zoning Hearing Board certificate for any violation of the chapter, or of conditions imposed.
(Ord. 2010-03, passed 3-1-2010)