It shall be the duty of the Zoning Officer to
take cognizance of violations of this chapter. He shall investigate
each violation which comes to his attention, whether by observation
or communication. He shall order, in writing, the correction of such
conditions as are found to be in violation of this chapter. Failure
to secure a zoning permit or Zoning Hearing Board certificate when
required previous to the erection, construction, extension or addition
to a building or structure shall be a violation of this chapter.
When written notice of a violation of any of
the provisions of this chapter has been served by the Zoning Officer
on the owner, agent or occupant, contractor or builder, such violation
shall be discontinued immediately.
[Amended 8-21-1996 by Ord. No. 150; 2-18-1998 by Ord. No.
161]
Any person, partnership or corporation, including
but not limited to the owner, general agent, contractor, lessee or
tenant, who or which shall violate or permit a violation of any provision
of this chapter or any other person who commits or takes part or assists
in any such violation shall be liable for a judgment of not more than
$500 per violation, plus all court costs, including reasonable attorney's
fees incurred by the Township as a result thereof in a civil enforcement
proceeding initiated by a Township official on behalf of the Township
before a District Justice. Each day that a violation is continued
after notice thereof shall constitute a separate offense, unless the
District Justice determining that there has been a violation further
determines that there was a good faith basis for the person, partnership
or corporation violating this chapter to have believed that there
was no such violation, in which event there shall be deemed to have
been only one such violation until the fifth day following the date
of the determination of the violation by the District Justice, and
thereafter, each day that a violation continues shall constitute a
separate violation. Nothing contained in this section shall limit
or restrict the power and authority of the Township to pursue remedies
for violation of this chapter in civil proceedings before the Court
of Common Pleas.
In case any building or structure is erected,
constructed, reconstructed, altered, repaired, converted or maintained
or any building, structure or land is used or any hedge, tree, shrub
or other growth is maintained in violation of this chapter or of any
regulations made pursuant hereto, in addition to other remedies provided
by law, any appropriate action or proceedings by authorized legal
process may be instituted or to prevent such unlawful erection, construction
or reconstruction, alteration, repair, conversion, maintenance or
use, to restrain, correct or abate such violation, to prevent the
occupancy of said building, structure or land or to prevent any illegal
act, conduct, business or use in or about such premises.
Fees for all use and occupancy and zoning permits
and other actions shall be in accordance with a fee schedule adopted
by a resolution by the Board of Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors
shall adopt by resolution a fee schedule setting forth the charges
to be made payable in advance for each appeal, special exception or
variance requested and for Zoning Hearing Board certificates, duplicate
copies of applications, certificates of district classification, certificates
of occupancy and duplicates thereof.
