(a) It shall be unlawful for an owner hereafter to locate, erect, construct, reconstruct, enlarge or structurally alter any building or structure or change, or permit the change of the use of any building or land or part thereof, until a zoning certificate has been issued by the Zoning Inspector. Such zoning certificate shall show that such building or premises or a part thereof, and the proposed use thereof, are in conformity with the provisions of this Zoning Ordinance. It shall be the duty of the Zoning Inspector to issue a zoning certificate provided he is satisfied that the building or premises and the proposed use thereof, conform with all the requirements of this Zoning Ordinance. No permit for excavation or construction shall be issued by the Zoning Inspector unless the plans, specifications and the intended use conform to the provisions of this Zoning Ordinance.
(b) Under written request from the owner or tenant, the Zoning Inspector shall issue a zoning certificate for any building or premises existing at the time of enactment of this Zoning Ordinance, certifying, after inspection, the extent and kind of use made of the building or premises and whether such use conforms to the provisions of this Zoning Ordinance.
(c) Each and every zoning certificate shall automatically expire eighteen months after date of issuance unless the building, structure and/or use for which it was issued is commenced within that time.
(d) Failure, within eighteen months after commencement of construction, to complete any building or structure, for which a zoning certificate is required, substantially in accord with plans and specifications submitted and upon which a zoning certificate has been issued, shall be deemed a violation of this Zoning Ordinance.
(e) For all zoning certificates there shall be a fee and charge of ten dollars ($10.00). All payments shall be made upon filing of application for a zoning certificate and refusal of the Zoning Inspector and/or the Board of Zoning Appeals to issue a zoning certificate for the building or use requested will not entitle the applicant to any refund or rebate.
(f) Any person, persons, firm or corporation filing an application to the Board of Zoning Appeals, or to the Planning Commission, shall pay a fee or charge for filing, as follows:
Application to the Board of Zoning Appeals $ 15.00
Application to the Planning Commission $ 20.00
Payments shall be made by the applicant upon filing of an application with the Board of Zoning Appeals or with the Planning Commission, and withdrawal of the application by the applicant, or denial or modification of the application by the Board of Zoning Appeals or by the Planning Commission or by the Township Trustees will not entitle the applicant to any refund or rebate.
(Ord. 11-71. Passed 5-25-71.)