[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Germany 8-1-1975 by Ord. No. 10. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person, partnership, business or corporation to undertake, or cause to be undertaken, the construction, reconstruction, enlargement, alteration, or relocation of any building or structure unless an approved building permit has been obtained from the Building Code Official.
[Amended 7-8-2024 by Ord. No. 66]
B. 
A building permit shall not be required for repairs to existing buildings or structures, provided that no structural changes or modifications are involved.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
BUILDING
A combination of materials to form a permanent structure having walls and a roof. Included shall be all mobile homes and trailers to be used for human habitation.
PERSON
Any person, persons, partnership, business or corporation.
STRUCTURE
A combination of materials to form anything constructed or erected on the ground or attached to the ground, including, but not limited to, buildings, factories, sheds, cabins, mobile homes, carports, porches, driveways, swimming pools and other similar items.
[Amended 7-8-2024 by Ord. No. 66]
Application for such a building permit shall be made, in writing, to the Building Code Official on forms supplied by the municipality. Such application shall contain at least the following:
A. 
Name and address of applicant.
B. 
Name and address of owner of land on which proposed construction is to occur.
C. 
Name and address of contractor.
D. 
Site location.
E. 
Brief description of proposed work and estimated cost.
F. 
A plan of the site showing the exact size and location of the proposed construction as well as any existing buildings or structures.
[Amended 7-8-2024 by Ord. No. 66]
The Building Code Official shall issue a building permit only after it has been determined that the proposed construction will be in conformance with all applicable requirements and regulations.
[Amended 7-8-2024 by Ord. No. 66]
After the issuance of a building permit by the Building Code Official, no changes of any kind shall be made to the application, permit, or any of the plans, specifications or other documents submitted with the application without the written consent or approval of the Building Code Official.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 60-6, Permit required for storage, utility and miscellaneous use structures, adopted 12-13-2010 by Ord. No. 44, was repealed 7-9-2025 by Ord. No. 68.
[Amended 7-8-2024 by Ord. No. 66]
In addition to the building permit, the Building Code Official shall issue a placard which shall be displayed on the premises during the time construction is in progress. This placard shall show the number of the building permit, the date of its issuance and be signed by the Building Code Official.
[Amended 7-8-2024 by Ord. No. 66]
Work on the proposed construction shall begin within six months after the date of issuance of the building permit or the permit shall expire unless a time extension is granted, in writing, by the Building Code Official. Construction shall be considered to have started with the first placement of permanent construction of the site, such as the pouring of slabs or footings or any work beyond the stage of excavation. For a structure without a basement or poured footings, the start of construction includes the first permanent framing or assembly of the structure or any part thereof on its pilings or foundation, or the affixing of any prefabricated structure or mobile home to its permanent site. Permanent construction does not include land preparation, land clearing, grading, filling; excavation for basement, footings, piers, or foundations; erection of temporary forms; the installation of piling under proposed subsurface footings; or the installation of sewer, gas, and water pipes, or electric or other service lines from the street.
[Amended 7-8-2024 by Ord. No. 66]
During the construction period, the Building Code Official or other authorized official may inspect the premises to determine that the work is progressing in compliance with the information provided on the permit application and with all applicable municipal laws and ordinances. In the event the Building Code Official discovers that the work does not comply with the permit application or any applicable laws and ordinances, or that there has been a false statement or misrepresentation by any applicant, the Building Code Official shall revoke the building permit and report such fact to the Board of Supervisors for whatever action it considers necessary.
[Amended 11-12-2019 by Ord. No. 56]
Fees assessable by Germany Township for the administration and enforcement undertaken pursuant to this chapter and the Code shall be established by the Board of Supervisors by resolution from time to time.
[Amended 7-8-2024 by Ord. No. 66]
Any person aggrieved by the Building Code Official's estimate of the cost of the proposed construction may appeal to the Board of Supervisors. Such appeal must be filed, in writing, within 30 days after the determination by the Building Code Official. Upon receipt of such appeal, the Supervisors shall set a time and place not less than 10 nor more than 30 days for the purpose of hearing the appeal. Notice of the time and place of the hearing of the appeal shall be given to all parties at which time they may appear and be heard. The determination of the estimated cost by the Supervisors shall be final in all cases.
[Amended 11-12-2019 by Ord. No. 56; 7-8-2024 by Ord. No. 66]
Any person who fails to comply with any or all of the requirements or provisions of this chapter or who fails or refuses to comply with any notice, order or direction of the Building Code Official or any other authorized employee of the municipality shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding brought before a Magisterial District Judge under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, be guilty of a summary offense and shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000, plus costs of prosecution. In default of payment thereof, the Board of Supervisors shall prescribe imprisonment to the extent allowed by law for the punishment of summary offenses. Each day or portion thereof that such violation continues or is permitted to continue shall constitute a separate offense, and each section of this chapter that is violated shall also constitute a separate offense. In addition to the above penalties, all other actions are hereby reserved, including an action in equity for the proper enforcement of this chapter. The imposition of a fine or penalty for any violation of, or noncompliance with, this chapter shall not excuse the violation or noncompliance or permit it to continue; and all such persons shall be required to correct or remedy such violations and noncompliances within a reasonable time. Any structure or building constructed, reconstructed, enlarged, altered, or relocated in noncompliance with this chapter may be declared by the Board of Supervisors to be a public nuisance and abatable as such.