The intent of this chapter is to inform the municipality on
construction for assessment purposes.
It shall be unlawful for any person, partnership or business
or corporation to undertake, or cause to be undertaken, the construction,
renovation or repair of any agricultural building, historical building,
accessory or miscellaneous use structure less than 1,000 square feet
which is nonhabitable and limited to one story anywhere within the
municipality, unless an approved assessment permit has been obtained
from the Building Official.
This chapter supersedes any provisions currently in effect.
However, any underlying ordinance shall remain in full force and effect
to the extent that those provisions are more restrictive.
This chapter shall not create liability on the part of the municipality
or any officer or employee thereof for any damages that result from
reliance on this chapter or any administrative decision lawfully made
hereunder.
Application for such an assessment permit shall be made in writing
to the Building Official, on forms provided by the Susquehanna County
Council of Governments Codes Enforcement Committee. 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.
E. Brief description of proposed work and estimated cost.
F. A plan of the site showing the size and location of the proposed
construction, as well as any existing buildings or structures, with
setback dimensions.
Work on the proposed construction shall begin within six months
from the date of issuance of the assessment permit. The proposed construction
shall be completed within 12 months after the date of issuance of
the assessment permit. Construction shall be considered to have started
with the first placement of permanent construction to the site, such
as 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 of any part thereof on its pilings or foundation or the
affixing of any prefabricated structure to its permanent site. Permanent
construction does not include land preparation, land clearing, grading,
filing, excavation for basement, footings, piers or foundations, erection
of temporary forms, or installation of piling under proposed subsurface
footings.
The Board of Supervisors will establish fees by resolution for
the administration of this chapter. Resolutions and fees are on file
in the Bridgewater Township offices.
Any person who violates or permits a violation of this chapter
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 defendant may be sentenced to imprisonment for a term
not exceeding 90 days. 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.
Unless specifically defined in §
137-11, words and phrases used in this chapter shall be interpreted so as to give this chapter its most reasonable application.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
AGRICULTURAL BUILDING
A structure utilized to store farm implements, hay, feed,
grain or other agricultural or horticultural products or to house
poultry, livestock or other farm animals. The term shall not include
habitable space or spaces in which agricultural products are processed,
treated or packaged and shall not be construed to mean a place of
occupancy by the general public.
BUILDING OFFICIAL
A person employed by the Susquehanna County Council of Governments
Codes Enforcement Committee as a codes enforcement officer.
CONSTRUCTION
The construction or relocation of a building or structure.
STRUCTURE
Anything constructed or erected on the ground or attached
to the ground, including but not limited to buildings, sheds and other
similar items.
This chapter shall become effective on January 2, 2007, and
shall remain in force until modified, amended, or rescinded by the
Township of Bridgewater, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania.