The governing body shall enforce this chapter. To that end,
the governing body, subject to the assignment of responsibilities
to other municipal agencies as hereinafter set forth, authorizes the
issuance of specified permits, certificates or authorizations as condition
precedent to:
A. The erection,
construction, alteration, remodeling, conversion, removal or destruction
of any building or structure;
B. The use
or occupancy of any building, structure or land; and
C. The subdivision
or resubdivision of any land.
The Office of Township Zoning Officer is hereby created. Appointments
to the Office of Zoning Officer shall be made by the Mayor with the
advice and consent of the Township Council. The term of office shall
be one calendar year. A vacancy in the office shall be filled for
the unexpired term only.
It shall be the duty of the Zoning Officer to investigate any
violation of this chapter coming to his attention, whether by complaint
or from his own personal knowledge or observation. Where any building
or structure is erected, constructed, altered, repaired, converted
or maintained or any building, structure or land is used in violation
of any provisions of this chapter, the Zoning Officer shall serve
notice upon the owner or person violating this chapter either personally
or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, to remove
the violation. If the violation is not immediately abated, the Zoning
Officer shall either:
A. File a complaint in the Municipal Court of the Township against the
owner, his agency or any person, persons or corporation perpetrating,
causing or aiding the violation; or
B. Upon the express authority of the Township Council and with the advice
and assistance of the Township Attorney, commence in the Superior
Court of New Jersey appropriate litigation to terminate the violation.
In case any building or structure is erected, constructed, altered,
repaired, converted, or maintained, or any building, structure or
land is used in violation of this chapter or other regulation made
under authority conferred hereby, the proper local authorities of
the municipality or an interested party, in addition to other remedies,
may institute any appropriate action or proceedings to prevent such
unlawful erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair,
conversion, maintenance or use, to restrain, correct or abate such
violation, to prevent the occupancy of said building, structure or
land, or to prevent any illegal act, conduct, business or use in or
about such premises.