This chapter shall be known and cited as the "Unity Township
Zoning Ordinance."
Full compliance with all the provisions of this chapter, and
the lawful issuance of all permits required by this chapter, shall
be required before:
A. Any structure is located, erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved,
altered, converted or enlarged or any structure or land is altered
or used.
B. The subdivision or land development of any lot, tract or parcel of
land is made.
C. Any street, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, water main or other improvements
in connection therewith is laid out, constructed, opened or dedicated
for public use or travel or for the common use of occupants of buildings
abutting thereon.
D. Any lot, parcel or tract in a subdivision is sold, transferred, leased
or otherwise conveyed.
E. Any grading, excavation or fill is enlarged, altered or repaired.
F. Any sign is erected or altered as specified herein.
To ensure compliance with the provisions of this chapter, the
following permits and plat approvals are required:
A. A development permit shall be required before any person may construct,
reconstruct, move, alter or enlarge any structure or building; or
change the use of a structure or land to a different use; or change
a nonconforming use or structure.
(1) No development permit shall be issued for the construction of a structure
in a subdivision, land development or planned residential development
until the final plat has been approved by the Supervisors and has
been recorded as required herein.
(2) No development permit shall be issued for any use upon any lot, except a single-family home dwelling, until a site development plan has been submitted, reviewed and approved in accordance with the provisions of Chapter
104, Subdivision and Land Development, of the Code of the Township of Unity. No permit under this chapter shall be required for existing structures, where the structure is being altered without change in use category, or where new construction or additions to structures occurs without a change in the site.
B. A development occupancy permit shall be required prior to the occupancy
of land or structure or any portion thereof and to certify the validity
of nonconforming uses or structures. Any use of property existing
without a development occupancy permit shall not be deemed "lawfully
existing."
C. A sign permit shall be required before any person may hereafter erect
or alter in any way any sign, except a nameplate or temporary real
estate sign as specified herein.
D. A grading permit shall be required, except for minor grading operations,
before any person may grade, excavate or fill any land, improve a
street or install any public utilities. No grading permit shall be
issued for any subdivision, land development or planned residential
development until the proposed development plan has received preliminary
approval by the Supervisors.
E. Every permit or permission granted hereunder shall become null and
void if the work authorized has not been completed within one year
from the date of issuance. If the activity for which the original
permit was issued continues for more than one year, a new permit must
be obtained. The permit may be renewed by the Code Enforcement Officer
if there has been no change in applicable regulations and if such
renewal is requested within one month of the date of expiration of
such permit. If applicable regulations have been changed, the full
review and approval procedure required by this chapter shall apply.
No permit issued by authorization of the Board shall be renewed except
by authority of the Board.
F. Every permit shall be revocable if the Code Enforcement Officer determines
that the applicant or occupant is not complying with every condition
required by the issuance of said permit.
The provisions of this chapter shall be interpreted as the minimum
requirements imposed for the protection of the health, safety, morals
and general welfare of the Township.
Neither the issuance of a permit under the provisions of this
chapter, nor compliance with its provisions, nor nonconformance with
conditions required by any such permit shall relieve any person from
liability for damage resulting from any development activity, nor
attach any liability upon the Township for damages to persons or property.
The degree of flood protection sought by the provisions of this chapter
is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on acceptable
engineering methods of study. Larger floods may occur on rare occasions.
Flood heights may be increased by man-made or natural causes, such
as ice jams and bridge openings restricted by debris. This chapter
does not imply that areas outside the floodplain districts or that
land uses permitted within such districts will be free from flooding
or flood damages. This chapter shall not create liability on the part
of the Township or any officer or employee thereof for any flood damages
that result from reliance on this chapter or any administrative decision
lawfully made thereunder.
The provisions of the Code of Unity Township relating to zoning as set forth in Chapter
118 are hereby repealed. Only those provisions specifically identified herein as "preserved" shall survive adoption of this chapter.