(A) Generally. No building, structure or sign shall be erected, constructed, moved, added to or structurally altered, nor shall land be put to any use without a permit therefore issued by the Zoning Officer.
(1) No such permit shall be issued, except in conformity with the provisions of this chapter, or upon written order from the Zoning Hearing Board in the form of a special exception, variance or as otherwise provided for by this chapter, any applicable laws or any court of competent jurisdiction.
(2) In addition, in special flood hazard areas as delineated on the most recent Federal Emergency Management Agency flood insurance rate map and all present or future amendments, supplements or additions thereto, a zoning permit shall be required for:
(a) All mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation and drilling activities; and
(b) Any repair, reconstruction or improvement of a building or structure, the cost of which exceeds 50% of the market value of the building or structure either:
1. Before the improvements or repair is started; or
2. If the structure has been damaged and is being restored, before the damage occurred.
(B) Form of application. All applications shall be made in writing and shall be accompanied by two sets of plans showing at least the following information:
(1) Actual dimensions and shape of the lot to be built upon;
(2) The exact size and location on the lot of buildings, structures or signs existing, proposed extensions thereto, and/or to be constructed thereon;
(3) The number of dwelling units, if any, to be provided;
(4) Parking spaces provided and/or loading facilities;
(5) Statement indicating the existing or proposed use;
(6) A copy of the deed, and if applicant is not the record owner, authorization to proceed with application;
(7) In the case of new construction, additions or replacement, the height of structures, buildings or signs;
(8) All other information necessary for such Zoning Officer to determine conformance with and provide for enforcement of this chapter. When deemed appropriate by the Zoning Officer, the site plan referenced above for any new structure and/or addition(s) to an existing structure shall be produced on a survey plan of the entire property prepared and sealed by a registered surveyor;
(9) One copy of the plans shall be returned to the applicant by the Zoning Officer after he or she shall have marked such copies either as approved or disapproved and attested to same by his or her signatures on such copy;
(10) One copy of all such plans shall be retained by the Zoning Officer for his or her permanent records;
(11) The Zoning Officer may submit a copy of any plan and application to any appropriate agencies and/or individuals (such as the Planning Commission or Township Engineer) for review and comment. The cost of such additional review or comment shall be funded by the applicant; and
(12) Such approval and zoning permit shall be issued or refused within 30 days from date of application. In case of refusal, the applicant shall be informed of his or her rights of appeal to the Zoning Hearing Board within 30 days of denial. The application for a permit shall be submitted in such form as the Zoning Officer may prescribe.
(C) Expiration of zoning permit.
(1) A by-right zoning permit shall expire six months after the date of issuance, if work described in any permit has not begun. If work described in any permit has begun within said six months period, said permit shall expire two years from date of issuance thereof.
(2) A zoning permit issued pursuant to a granted variance, or special exception, unless otherwise specified by the Zoning Hearing Board, shall expire if the applicant fails to obtain a building permit within 12 months of the authorization date, or if no building permit is required, fails to occupy the structure within 12 months of the authorization date.
(3) A zoning permit issued pursuant to a granted conditional use, unless otherwise specified by Borough Council, shall expire if the applicant fails to obtain a building permit within 12 months of the authorization date, or if no building permit is required, fails to occupy the structure within 12 months of the authorization date.
(Ord. passed 7-13-2015)