[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of Penn Township 12-17-1975 by Ord. No.
190 (Ch. 62 of the 1975 Code). Amendments noted
where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Building construction — See Ch. 100.
Numbering of buildings — See Ch. 110.
Uniform construction codes — See Ch. 133.
Definitions — See Ch. 142.
Fire prevention — See Ch. 160.
Floodplain management — See Ch. 166.
Mobile homes — See Ch. 200.
Plumbing — See Ch. 218.
Sewers and sewage disposal — See Ch. 245.
Street openings — See Ch. 274.
Subdivision of land — See Ch. 280.
Zoning — See Ch. 325.
This chapter shall be known as the "Penn Township Building Permit
Ordinance."
[Amended 6-15-1998 by Ord. No. 535[1]]
The definitions as set forth in Chapter 142, the Penn Township Ordinance of Definition, are hereby incorporated into this chapter.
A.
It shall be unlawful for any person to build or alter any building
or structure in Penn Township without having obtained a permit therefor
as herein provided.
B.
It shall be unlawful for any person to begin any work for the building
or alteration of any building or structure unless and until a building
permit has been duly issued therefor, provided, however, that in case
of a natural disaster occurring at a time when the Township office
is closed, emergency repairs may be carried out as necessary, with
the permit to be obtained on the next business day.
B.
All applications shall be accompanied by a drawing showing the shape,
size and dimensions of the lot to be built upon, the size and location
of all buildings or structures existing thereon and the size and location
of all buildings or structures proposed to be built or altered.
C.
Such applications shall set forth the name and address of the applicant,
the location of the site, the name of the builder and architect, the
zoning district (if any), the estimated cost of the proposed building
or structure, a description of each proposed building or structure
and all other information which may be required to determine whether
the provisions of this chapter and all other ordinances of Penn Township
have been and will be complied with.
D.
Within 10 business days after receipt of an application for a building
permit, the Code Official must grant or refuse the permit. If the
permit is not granted, he must state, in writing, the grounds for
his refusal. The applicant may appeal the decision to the Penn Township
Board of Commissioners or Zoning Hearing Board, where applicable.
[Amended 6-15-1998 by Ord. No. 535]
A.
When a building permit is required under § 105-3 of this chapter, the fee for such permit shall be established by resolution of the Penn Township Board of Commissioners. Such fee shall be in addition to any other fee required under any other ordinance of Penn Township as condition to the issuance of a building permit.
B.
At the time of filing by the applicant of the report of completion
hereinafter provided for, the applicant shall simultaneously therewith
pay to the Code Official any additional fee based upon any difference
between the estimated cost of building or alteration and the actual
cost thereof.
C.
On a permit issued for the moving of an existing building or structure
to a different location on the same lot, the fee shall be based upon
the cost of such removal.
D.
On a permit issued for the moving of an existing building or structure
to a different lot, the fee shall be based upon the estimated cost
of new construction of a building or structure in its completed condition
upon the new lot.
A.
No permit shall be issued for the building or alteration of any building
or structure within the right-of-way limits of any street or highway,
with the exception of drainage structures, curbing or pavement.
B.
No permit shall be issued for the building or alteration of any building
or structure unless such building or alterations conform to required
building setback lines as specified in the Penn Township Subdivision
and Land Development Ordinance No. 407 and the Penn Township Zoning
Ordinance No. 494, as amended or replaced.[1]
[Amended 6-15-1998 by Ord. No. 535]
C.
No permit shall be issued for the building or alteration of any building
or structure unless drainage of the land, as required, is provided
for.
D.
No permit shall be issued for the building or alteration of any building
or structure upon land in a subdivision unless and until a final plan
of such subdivision shall have been approved and properly recorded.
A.
All buildings or structures built or altered shall conform to the
lines and grades of the streets and highways on which they abut.
B.
All excavations and ditches shall be kept adequately drained, and
all such excavations, ditches, supplies and materials on or about
the premises shall be properly protected, screened, shielded or covered
and illuminated at night to avoid damage or injury to persons or property.
C.
All building permits shall be immediately posted by the applicant
at a conspicuous place on the premises upon which the work is to be
performed, and shall remain posted thereon until completion of the
work.
D.
All building permits shall expire unless the work authorized therein
shall have been undertaken with a period of 90 calendar days from
the date of issuance, and unless such work shall have been fully completed
within a period of one calendar year from the date of issuance; provided,
however, that in the case of large or extensive projects the applicant
may specify estimated project completion date upon concurrence of
the Code Official, on which date the permit shall expire, or the Code
Official may extend the time for completion to a period not exceeding
two years from the date of issuance.
E.
No work shall be undertaken or resumed after a permit has expired
unless and until a new application has been filed, the fee herein
specified has been paid with such new application and a new permit
has been issued.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former §§ 62-8, General requirements for flood-prone areas; 62-9, Designation of flood-prone areas; and 62-10, Specific requirements for construction in flood-prone areas, which immediately followed this section, were repealed at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
Within 90 days from or after the date of completion of the work
authorized by the permit, the applicant shall file with the Code Official
on a form provided for that purpose a report certifying the completion
of the work and setting forth the actual cost thereof, and shall pay
to the Code Official any additional fee provided for herein.
It shall be the duty of the Code Official to forthwith revoke
any building permit issued hereunder if it shall be determined that
the same shall have been improperly or wrongfully issued by reason
of any false statement in the application, or by reason of any mistake
of fact or law, or that the work therein authorized would constitute
the violation of any statute or ordinance. Such revocation shall become
effective upon the mailing by the Code Official to the applicant at
his address shown in the application thereof. Upon such revocation,
all work authorized by said permit shall immediately cease and shall
not be resumed unless and until a permit therefor has been properly
issued.
Upon the violation of any of the terms of this chapter or of
any rule or regulation made hereunder, the Penn Township Board of
Commissioners may, in addition to any other remedies, institute in
the name of Penn Township any appropriate action or proceeding at
law or in equity to prevent, restrain, correct or abate any such violation.
A.
Any person who knowingly commits, participates in or permits the violation of any of the terms of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof before any Magisterial District Judge in a summary proceeding, be sentenced to such penalties as are provided in Chapter 1, General Provisions, Article II, General Penalty.[1]
B.
Each day that any such violation shall continue shall constitute
a separate offense hereunder and shall be punishable as such.
The provisions of this chapter shall not be taken or construed
to conflict with or otherwise limit the provisions of any other statute
or ordinance imposing any other or greater requirements or restrictions,
and in the event of any such duplication, the provisions imposing
the greater requirement or restriction shall prevail.
