In order to carry out the stated purpose of this chapter, the
entire Township is hereby divided into zoning districts.
The locations and boundaries of the areas classified within
each of the zoning districts and overlays are set forth on the Zoning
Map attached hereto and made a part hereof by this reference and adopted
at the time of enactment of this chapter.[1] All notation, references, explanatory matter and other
information on the Zoning Map are adopted and incorporated herein
by this reference. The Zoning Map shall be kept on file for public
inspection in the Township Building.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Zoning Map is included as an attachment
to this chapter.
The zoning district boundaries shall be shown on the Zoning
Map with heavy solid lines and placement of the short names of the
respective zoning districts within such boundaries to indicate the
areas located within the various zoning districts. Where uncertainty
exists as to the precise location or extent of any zoning district:
A.
Where district boundaries are indicated as approximately coinciding
with the center lines of streets, ways, alleys, highways, railroad
lines or streams, such center lines shall be construed to be such
boundaries.
B.
Where district boundaries are indicated as approximately coinciding
with plotted lot lines, such lot lines shall be construed to be such
boundaries, or where district boundaries are indicated as extensions
of plotted lot lines or connections of the intersections of plotted
lot lines, such lines shall be construed to be such boundaries.
C.
Where district boundaries are indicated as approximately parallel
to center lines of streets, alleys, ways, highways, railroad lines
or streams, lot lines or other physical features, such district boundaries
shall be construed as being parallel thereto and at such distance
therefrom as indicated on the Zoning Map, provided that distances
not indicated specifically on the Zoning Map shall be determined by
measurement according to the scale of the Zoning Map.
D.
Where district boundaries are indicated as coinciding with municipal
boundary lines, such municipal boundary lines shall be construed as
such district boundaries.
E.
Where physical or cultural features existing on the ground are at
variance with the district boundaries as shown on the Zoning Map,
or as interpreted pursuant to this article, the Zoning Hearing Board,
upon application, shall interpret the district boundaries.
A Zoning Officer shall be appointed by the Township Board of
Commissioners. The Zoning Officer shall serve at the convenience and
pleasure of the Township Board of Commissioners, shall not hold elective
office and shall have a working knowledge of zoning and subdivision
procedures.
The Zoning Officer shall administer this chapter in accordance
with its literal terms and shall not have the power to permit any
construction or any use or change of use which does not conform to
the requirements of this chapter. The Zoning Officer is hereby authorized
to institute civil enforcement proceedings as a means of enforcement
within the scope of his responsibilities. Within this power, the Zoning
Officer shall have duties as follows:
A.
The Zoning Officer shall receive applications for and issue zoning
and sign permits, certificates of use and occupancy and stop-work
orders in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
B.
The Zoning Officer shall make all the required inspections, or he
may, subject to the approval of the Township Board of Commissioners,
engage such expert opinion as he may deem necessary to report upon
unusual technical issues that may arise.
C.
At least annually, the Zoning Officer shall submit to the Township
Board of Commissioners a written statement of all zoning and sign
permits, certificates of use and occupancy issued, and notices and
orders issued.
D.
An official record shall be kept of all business and activities of
the office of the Zoning Officer specified by provisions of this chapter,
and all such records shall be open to public inspection at the Municipal
Building during regular business hours.
A.
No building or structure shall be erected, added to, or structurally
altered until a building permit therefor has been issued by the Zoning
Officer. Where the property or structure is jointly owned, all owners
of record must sign the application. Remodeling or structural improvements
of existing buildings which do not alter the basic structure, create
additional lot coverage or change the use of the lot or building and
any detached accessory structure 100 square feet or less in area are
exempt from this specific requirement.
B.
There shall be submitted with each application for a building permit,
two copies of a layout or plot plan drawn to scale showing actual
dimensions of the lot, the exact size and location on the lot of the
building and accessory buildings, estimated costs of construction
and such other information as may be necessary to determine and provide
for the enforcement of this chapter.
C.
No structure shall be erected, added to, or structurally altered for use as an adult entertainment establishment without first obtaining a building permit as required by this section and an occupancy permit as required by § 400-126 and all other applicable permits required by law.
D.
One copy of such layout or plot plan shall be returned when approved
by the Zoning Officer, together with such permit, to the applicant.
E.
Building permits shall expire at the end of 18 months where substantial
completion of the work for which the permit was issued has not occurred.
The Zoning Officer may extend a building permit for one six-month
period where circumstances beyond the control of the permittee have
prevented substantial completion; however, no building permit shall
remain in effect after two years or 24 months.
A.
After completion of a building or structure for which a building
permit has been issued and if inspection has determined that all requirements
of all ordinances of the Township have been met, a certificate of
occupancy shall be issued by the Zoning Officer stating that the building
and proposed use thereof complies with the provisions of this chapter.
B.
No nonconforming use shall be maintained, renewed, or changed without
a certificate of occupancy having been secured from the Zoning Officer
within 180 days from notice of nonconformity as issued by the Township.
C.
A certificate of occupancy shall be applied for at the same time
as the application for a building and zoning permit. Such certificate
will be issued within 10 days after the erection or alteration and
inspection, if the building and use are found to be in accordance
with all ordinances of the Township.
D.
The Zoning Officer shall maintain a record of all certificates, and
copies will be furnished upon request to any person having a proprietary
or tenancy interest in the building affected.
E.
No building permit shall be issued until an application has been
made for a certificate of occupancy.
No sign as listed in Article XIII of this chapter shall be erected or altered prior to the issuance of a sign permit by the Zoning Officer.
The Board of Commissioners shall establish, by resolution, a
schedule of fees for the obtaining of permits required under the provisions
of this chapter. Such resolution shall be duly recorded in the resolution
book of the Township, and such fee schedule shall be reproduced and
made available upon request at the Township Building. The resolution
providing for the various fees shall be periodically reviewed and
amended when necessary by resolution of the Board of Commissioners.
The issuance of a permit shall be contingent upon the payment of the
proper fee as established by the resolution and fee schedule.
