1. Appointment and Powers. For the administration of this Chapter, a Zoning Officer, who shall not hold any elective office in the Township, shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors.
A. The Zoning Officer shall meet qualifications established by the Township and shall be able to demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the Township, a working knowledge of municipal zoning.
B. The Zoning Officer shall administer this Chapter in accordance with its literal terms, and shall not have the power to permit any construction or any use or change of use which does not conform to this Chapter 27.
C. The Zoning Officer is the enforcement officer for this Chapter. He/she issues all building permits, use certificates, occupancy permits and, at the direction of the Zoning Hearing Board, special exceptions and variances. The Zoning Officer may conduct inspections and surveys to determine compliance or noncompliance with the terms of this Chapter.
2. Forms. The Zoning Officer shall provide a form or forms approved by the Township Supervisors for:
A. Building permits.
B. Special exceptions.
C. Use certificates.
D. Appeals.
E. Variances.
F. Demolition permits.
3. Action on Building Permits. Within 15 working days, except for holidays, after receipt of an application for a building permit, the Zoning Officer shall grant or refuse the permit. If the application conforms to the applicable requirements of the Uniform Construction Code and this Chapter, the Zoning Officer shall grant a permit. If the permit is not granted, he/she shall state in writing the grounds for the refusal.
4. Action on Use Certificates. Within 15 working days, except for holidays, after receipt of an application for a use certificate, the Zoning Officer shall grant or refuse the certificate. If the specifications and intended use conform in all respects with the provisions of this Chapter, he/she shall issue a certificate to that effect. If the certificate is not granted, he/she shall state in writing the grounds for the refusal.
5. Revoking Permits/Approvals. The Zoning Officer shall revoke a permit or approval issued under the provisions of this Chapter in the case of any false statement or misrepresentation of fact in an application or on the plans on which the permit or approval was based. Any permit issued in error shall in no case be construed as waiving any provision of this Chapter and such permit may be revoked.
6. Registration of Nonconformities. As of the effective date of this Chapter the Zoning Officer's responsibilities include the following:
A. The Zoning Officer may register and identify all new nonconforming uses, structures and lots, together with the reasons why the use, structure or lot is considered a nonconformity.
B. The Zoning Officer may register nonconformities in existence prior to this date as stated in § 27-1102.6.A. above.
7. Enforcement. Upon determining that a violation of any of the provisions of this Chapter exists, the Zoning Officer shall send an enforcement notice to the owner of record of the parcel on which the violation has occurred, to any person who has filed a written request to receive enforcement notices 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:
A. The name of the owner of record and any other person against whom the Township intends to take action.
B. The location of the property in violation.
C. The specific violation with a description of the requirements which have not been met, citing in each instance the applicable provisions of the Chapter.
D. The date before which the steps for compliance shall be commenced, and the date before which the steps shall be completed.
E. That the recipient of the notice has the right to appeal to the Zoning Hearing Board said notice in accordance with procedures set forth in § 27-1108.
F. That failure to comply with the notice within the time specified, unless extended by appeal to the Zoning Hearing Board, constitutes a violation in accordance with § 27-1109 of this Chapter.
8. Records.
A. The Zoning Officer shall keep a record of:
(1) All applications for building permits, use certificates, special exceptions and variances and all actions taken on them, together with any conditions imposed by the Zoning Hearing Board.
(2) All complaints of violations of provisions of this Chapter and the action taken on them.
(3) All plans submitted.
B. All records and plans shall be available for public inspection.
C. Once a year, the Zoning Officer shall report to the Township Supervisors:
(1) The number of building permits and use certificates issued.
(2) The number of complaints or violations received and the action taken on these complaints or violations.
(Ord. 2024-01, 5/13/2024)