[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Bridgewater 1-2-2007 by Ord. No. 1-07A. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Building permits — See Ch. 123.
Uniform construction codes — See Ch. 144.
Setback requirements — See Ch. 241.
Subdivision and land development — See Ch. 263.
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.
D. 
Site location.
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.
A. 
The Building Official shall issue an assessment permit only after it has been determined that the proposed work to be undertaken will be in conformance with the requirements of this and all other applicable codes or ordinances.
B. 
After the issuance of an assessment permit, 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 Official.
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.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
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.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
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.