This chapter shall be known as and may be cited as the "Middle Smithfield Township Zoning Ordinance," as amended from time to time.
A. 
The language of this chapter shall be interpreted, where doubt exists as to the intended meaning of the language, in favor of the property owner and against any implied extension of the restriction.
B. 
Where more than one provision of this chapter controls a particular matter, the provision that is more restrictive upon uses and structures shall apply.
C. 
The provisions of this chapter are in addition to any other federal, state or local applicable rules and regulations.
D. 
The names "Township," "Township of Middle Smithfield" and "Middle Smithfield Township" may be used interchangeably throughout this chapter with the same intent.
E. 
The terms "ordinance" and "chapter" may also be used interchangeably with the same intent.
F. 
The terms "governing body," "Board of Supervisors" and the "Middle Smithfield Township Board of Supervisors" may be used interchangeably with the same intent.
G. 
Chapter, division and § headings are not regulatory.
This chapter is intended to:
A. 
Provide the regulations for permitting, prohibiting, regulating and determining, to the extent not superseded or preempted by federal or state law, the uses of land, watercourses and other bodies of water to be occupied by uses and structures and open space, as well as areas, courts, yards and other open spaces and distances to be left unoccupied by uses and structures;
B. 
Regulate the size, height, bulk, location, erection, construction, repair, expansion, maintenance, alteration, razing, removal and use of structures;
C. 
Establish the density of population and intensity of use;
D. 
Provide for the protection and preservation of natural and historic resources, and prime agricultural lands and activities; and
E. 
Provide for the administration and enforcement of this chapter in accordance with the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code[1] as amended (hereinafter referred to as the "MPC"), including provisions for conditional uses to be administered by the governing body and for special exceptions and variances to be administered by a Zoning Hearing Board.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
A. 
The purpose of this chapter is the implementation of the Middle Smithfield Township Comprehensive Plan Update: 2022, adopted January 27, 2022, (hereinafter referred to as "Comprehensive Plan") and the promotion of the health, safety, convenience, order, and welfare of present and future inhabitants of Middle Smithfield Township.
B. 
This chapter is hereby adopted:
(1) 
In accordance with the requirements and purposes of the MPC, as amended.
(2) 
In accordance with goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan which are hereby included by reference thereto.
A. 
This chapter is "generally consistent" with the Comprehensive Plan; however, where there is a conflict between the Comprehensive Plan and this chapter, then this chapter shall prevail.
B. 
It is the general intent of this chapter that Chapter 3, Considerations for Future Land Use and Development Practices, of the Comprehensive Plan shall be followed.
A. 
No structure shall be erected, constructed, razed, moved, altered, rebuilt or enlarged, and no use of a structure or land or water area shall be established or changed for any purpose nor in any manner except in conformity with all regulations, requirements and controls and after issuance of a zoning permit as specified in this chapter, except as hereinafter provided.
B. 
No structure hereafter constructed, erected, rebuilt, enlarged or altered; nor any use of land or water areas established under a zoning permit shall be occupied or used in whole or in part for any use whatsoever and no change of use of any structure or land or water area shall hereafter be made until a certificate of occupancy issued by a Township-authorized Building Code Official and/or a change of use permit and/or a certificate of compliance has been issued by the Zoning Officer indicating that the structure or use complies with all other applicable provisions of this chapter.
A. 
This chapter shall apply throughout the Township of Middle Smithfield. Any of the following activities or any other activity regulated by this chapter shall only be carried out in conformity with this chapter, to wit:
(1) 
Erection, construction, movement, placement, expansion, extension, reduction and/or demolition of a structure, building, sign and/or area of land;
(2) 
Creation of a lot or alteration of lot lines; and/or
(3) 
Creation of a new use and/or change in use.
B. 
A zoning permit is required to be issued prior to the start of any of the following activities throughout the Township of Middle Smithfield:
(1) 
Erection, construction, movement, placement, expansion, extension, reduction and/or demolition of a structure, building, sign and/or area of land;
(2) 
Creation of a new use and/or change in use; and/or
(3) 
Site alterations.
C. 
A certificate of compliance is required throughout the Township of Middle Smithfield.
(1) 
It shall be unlawful to use and/or occupy any principal building and/or any accessory structure that requires Building Code compliance or establish any new or replacement principal nonresidential use and/or any replacement accessory structure that requires Building Code compliance until a zoning permit and/or certificate of compliance for such building, structure or use has been issued by the Zoning Officer.
(2) 
The Zoning Officer may allow the zoning permit application to serve as the application for the certificate of compliance depending on the certificate of occupancy being issued.
(3) 
A certificate of compliance shall only be issued by the Zoning Officer if the Zoning Officer determines that the activity complies with this chapter, to the best of the Zoning Officer's knowledge, information and belief. The Township may also withhold issuance of the certificate until there is compliance with other Township ordinances, including, but not limited to, the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO)[1], as amended from time to time.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 170, Subdivision and Land Development.
(4) 
The applicant shall keep a copy of the certificate of compliance as well as the certificate of occupancy, if applicable, available for inspection.
(5) 
Upon the request of an applicant, the Zoning Officer may issue a temporary certificate of compliance; such temporary certificate(s) may permit an activity to occur in all or part of a structure before the entire work covered by the permit has been completed.
(a) 
Temporary certificate(s) shall only be issued if the applicant proves to the satisfaction of the Zoning Officer that the activity or occupancy can occur safely without endangering public health or safety.
(b) 
The temporary certificate shall establish in writing a maximum time period under which it is valid; a six month maximum time period shall apply if not otherwise specified.
(c) 
Failure to receive a zoning permit, certificate of compliance and/or certificate of occupancy (from the building department) within such time period shall be a violation of this chapter.
(d) 
The temporary certificate may be conditioned upon compliance with certain specific requirements within certain time periods.
D. 
Ordinary repairs and maintenance. An ordinary repair and/or maintenance to an existing structure shall not by itself be regulated by this chapter; however, a construction permit under any Township Building Code may be needed for such work.
These regulations shall not create any liability on the part of the Middle Smithfield Township Board of Supervisors, the Planning Commission, or any employee or lawfully appointed officer or consultant of the Township for damages that may result from reliance on this chapter, any amendment thereto, or any administrative decisions lawfully made thereunder.
A. 
If a court of competent jurisdiction declares any provision of this chapter to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, the effect of such decision shall be limited to those provisions which are expressly stated in the decision to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, and all other provisions of this chapter shall continue in full force and effect.
B. 
If the entire chapter should be declared illegal, invalid, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, then the Zoning Ordinance that was in effect immediately prior to the enactment of this new chapter shall automatically be reinstated as the Township's Zoning Ordinance.
To the extent the provisions of this chapter are the same or similar in substance to Zoning Ordinance provisions in force immediately prior to adoption of this chapter, the provisions of this chapter are intended as a continuation of such prior provisions and not as new provisions. The provisions of this chapter shall not affect any act done or liability incurred, nor shall such provisions affect any suit or prosecution pending or to be initiated to enforce any right or penalty or to punish any offense under the authority of any ordinance in force prior to adoption of this chapter.
All Middle Smithfield Township Ordinances or parts of Ordinances inconsistent with this chapter are hereby repealed, but only insofar as the same are inconsistent herewith.