[Amended 4-12-2018]
The Building Official, Planning Commissioner, or other person
or entity tasked by ordinance or resolution with the enforcement of
this chapter, while acting for the Township, shall not thereby render
himself/herself liable personally, and he/she is hereby relieved from
all personal liability for any damage that may accrue to persons or
property as a result of any act required or permitted in the discharge
of his/her official duties. Any suit instituted against any of the
aforementioned because of an act performed by him/her in the lawful
discharge of his/her duties and under the provisions of this chapter
shall be defended by the legal representative of the Township until
the final termination of the proceedings. In no case shall any of
the aforementioned be liable for costs in any action, suit or proceeding
that may be instituted in pursuance of the provisions of this chapter,
and any of the aforementioned acting in good faith and without malice
shall be free from liability for acts performed under any of its provisions
or by reason of any act or omission in the performance of his/her
official duties in connection herewith.
It shall be the responsibility of the Building Official to enforce
the provisions of this chapter and in so doing shall perform the following
duties:
A. Issue permits. All applications for building permits shall be submitted
to the Building Official, who shall issue building permits and certificates
of occupancy when all applicable provisions of this chapter have been
complied with.
B. File applications. The Building Official shall maintain files of
all applications for zoning permits and for certificates of occupancy
and shall keep records of all zoning permits and certificates of occupancy
issued. These shall be filed with the Building Official; such files
and records shall be open to public inspection. Copies shall be furnished
upon request to any person. Cost for these copies will be determined
by the Board of Trustees.
C. Official copies. Maintain one official copy of an updated zoning
ordinance and Zoning District Map, and its amendments.
D. Inspections. The Building Official or his/her authorized agent shall
be empowered to make inspections of buildings or premises in order
to properly carry out the enforcement of this chapter.
E. Record of complaints. The Building Official shall keep a record of
every identifiable complaint of a violation of any of the provisions
of this chapter, and of the action taken consequent to each such complaint;
such records shall be public record.
F. Report to Township Board. The Building Official shall report to the
Lawrence Township Board at least quarterly summarizing for the period
since the last previous report of all building permits, and certificates
of occupancy, all complaints of violation, all appeals, variances
and exceptions granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals and state action
taken subsequent thereto. Closed files shall be forwarded to the Township
Clerk.
The following provisions shall apply, subject to the approval
and/or upon the request of the Township Board.
A. Adopt rules and guidelines for the proper administration and enforcement
of this chapter.
B. Act as a policy board on matters of enforcement and administration
of this chapter not covered by adopted rules or guidelines.
D. Make comprehensive review and recommend changes to this chapter every
five years.
E. Review all proposed requests for special use permits and/or amendments to this chapter for compliance with requirements of this chapter based on Articles
VII and
XII and thence recommend appropriate action to the Township Board for approval, disapproval or modification.
F. Planning Commission members shall attend training sessions as required
by the Township Board of Trustees.
Excavation for building or structure shall not be commenced, the erection, addition to, alteration of, or moving of any building or structure shall not be undertaken, or any land shall not be used, or an existing use of land shall not be changed to a use of the different type of class, until a zoning permit or a certificate of occupancy has been secured from the Building Official. A zoning permit shall not be issued for those uses requiring a special use permit, as provided for in this chapter, until a special use permit has been approved in compliance with the provisions of Article
VII of this chapter. A zoning permit shall not be issued for those uses requiring more than 10 parking spaces until the site plan has been reviewed and approved, as provided in Article
VIII of this chapter.
No land shall be occupied or used and no building shall be used
or changed in use until a certificate of occupancy or zoning permit
shall have been issued by the Building Official, stating that the
building and its intended use comply with the provisions of this chapter.
A. Certificates for existing buildings. Certificates of occupancy may
be issued upon request for existing buildings, structures, or parts
thereof, or existing uses of land if, after inspection, such uses
of land are in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
B. Administration of zoning permits and certificates of occupancy. In
cases where a building permit is required under the State Construction
Code, the application and issuance of a zoning permit and a certificate
of occupancy shall be fully coordinated and integrated into the building
permit application and inspection process. As such, an application
for a building permit shall also serve as an application for a zoning
permit, and the granting or final approval on a building permit shall
constitute a final approval of a zoning permit and eligibility for
a certificate of occupancy.
In the interpretation, application and enforcement of this chapter,
whenever any of the provisions or limitations imposed or required
herein are more stringent than any other law or ordinance, then the
provisions of this chapter shall govern, provided that whenever the
provisions of any other law or ordinance impose more stringent requirements
than are imposed or required by this chapter, then the provisions
of such other law or ordinance shall govern.