A. 
The provisions of this Zoning By-law shall be enforced by the Building Inspector
B. 
Any person may file a written request to the Building Inspector for enforcement of this by-law with reference to an alleged violation, as provided in MGL c. 40A, § 7. Within 14 days of receipt of the request, the Building Inspector shall investigate the facts and inspect the alleged violation and, if the Building Inspector finds evidence of a violation, the Building Inspector shall give written notice to the owner and occupant of said premises and demand that such violation be abated within such time as the Building Inspector deems reasonable. The notice and demand may be given by mail, addressed to the owner at the address as it then appears on the records of the Board of Assessors, and to the occupant at the address of the premises.
C. 
If after notice and demand the violation has not been abated within the time set by the Building Inspector, the Building Inspector shall institute appropriate action or proceedings in the name of the Town of Rockport to prevent, correct, restrain, or abate such violation.
D. 
If the Building Inspector determines that there is no violation, the Building Inspector shall give written notice of the decision to the complaining person within 14 days of the receipt of such request.
(1) 
Appeal. An appeal to the Zoning Board of Appeals may be taken by any person aggrieved due to inability to obtain a permit or enforcement action from the Building Inspector, as provided in MGL c. 40A, § 8, as amended.
(2) 
Penalty. If the notice of violation is not complied with according to the time specified in the notice, the Building Inspector may, in accordance with MGL c. 40, § 21D, institute a noncriminal complaint(s) with penalty. Each day in which a violation exists shall be deemed a separate offense. The penalty for violation of any provision of this by-law shall be $300. Each day, or portion of a day, in which a violation exists shall be deemed a separate offense.
A. 
The Building Inspector shall withhold a permit for the construction, alteration or moving of any building or structure if the building or structure as constructed, altered or moved would be in violation of any provisions of the Zoning By-law; and no permit or license shall be granted for a new use of a building, structure or land which use would be in violation of any provision of this Zoning By-law.
B. 
Construction or operations under a building permit or special permit shall conform to any subsequent amendment of this Zoning By-law unless the use or construction is commenced within six months of the issuance of the permit and, in cases involving construction, unless such construction is continued through to completion as continuously and expeditiously as is reasonable. Permits will not be granted for the construction or alteration of any structure that will cause a change in existing grades and contours which interfere with drainage of water from the public highways unless provision is made at the owner's expense for the proper disposal of such water by gutters, ditches, pipes or other necessary drainage structures. The owner will grant to the Town all drainage easements which are necessary to establish and preserve the changed drainage system or facilities.
C. 
All special permits, variances, and other relief granted by the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals are conditioned upon compliance with the conditions set forth in such permits and other forms of relief and the State Building Code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 780 CMR.
A. 
Establishment.
(1) 
The Select Board shall appoint a Zoning Board of Appeals of five members, as provided by law. Appointments shall be for the term of five years. The terms shall be staggered so that the term of one appointee will expire each year.
(2) 
Vacancies shall be filled by the Select Board by appointment for the balance of the term in which the vacancy occurs. Associate members, to fill vacancies caused by absence, inability to act or interest on the part of a member, shall be appointed by the Select Board annually for a term of one year.
B. 
Rules and regulations. The Zoning Board of Appeals shall adopt and from time to time amend rules relative to the issuance of permits. The Zoning Board of Appeals shall file a copy of said rules in the office of the Town Clerk.
C. 
Powers. The Zoning Board of Appeals shall, in addition to all other powers given to it by law, have the power to hear and decide appeals, to hear and decide applications for special permits as applicable, and to hear and decide petitions for variances.
D. 
Procedures. No permit, appeal or variance shall be granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals except after a public hearing, as required by law. Notice and the publication and giving of notice for such public hearing and the procedural requirements for such public hearings shall be those set forth in MGL c. 40A, as amended, which is incorporated herein by reference. The Zoning Board of Appeals may impose appropriate conditions and safeguards in all its decisions and may impose limitations both of time and of use. A continuation of a use permitted by a special permit or variance may be conditional upon compliance with the terms, conditions and safeguards set forth in such special permit or variance.
E. 
Variances. This Zoning By-law specifically permits the Zoning Board of Appeals to grant variances for use in any district.
A. 
Special permits shall only be issued following public hearings held within the period established by law, after the filing of an application with the Zoning Board of Appeals or Planning Board, as applicable.
B. 
Special permits shall lapse within three years, and including such time required to pursue or await the determination of an appeal referred to in MGL c. 40A, § 17, as amended, from the grant thereof, if a substantial use thereof has not sooner commenced except for good cause or, in case of a permit for construction, if construction has not begun by such date except for good cause.
(1) 
Guidelines. In addition to any other guidelines or standards established herein, unless otherwise provided by law, the special permit granting authority shall, before granting a special permit, find that, in its judgment, all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(a) 
The specific site is an appropriate location for such use, structure or condition.
(b) 
The use or action will not be detrimental to the neighborhood, and without limiting the foregoing, because of noise, odors, vibration or unsightliness.
(c) 
Adequate and appropriate facilities will be provided for the proper operation of the proposed use.
(d) 
The proposed use, structure or condition is in harmony with the general purpose and intent of this Zoning By-law.
The invalidity of any section or provision of this by-law shall not invalidate any other section or division thereof.
This by-law may be amended at any Annual or Special Town Meeting. This by-law shall supersede all previous by-laws.