The purpose of this article is to establish the procedures for regulating development through permits, inspections, and subdivision, site plan, conditional use, or variance approvals. The procedures are intended to provide for the orderly and expeditious processing of such applications.
In all zones and for proposed uses, subdivision, site development or construction other than an exempt development site plan and/or subdivision approval shall be required prior to:
A. 
The subdivision or resubdivision of any land.
B. 
Issuance of a development permit or building permit.
C. 
Commencement of any regulated use or activity, which includes:
(1) 
The erection, construction, alteration, repair, remodeling, conversion, removal or destruction of any building or structures.
(2) 
The use or occupancy of any building, structure or land.
(3) 
Any activity which entails the construction of any improvements or the altercation of the natural condition of any land.
(4) 
The change of use of any building, structure or land.
D. 
Construction permit.
(1) 
No construction permit shall be issued unless the applicant shall have first secured a development permit.
(2) 
No building or structure shall be erected, added to, or structurally altered until a permit therefor has been issued by the Construction Official. All applications for such permits shall be in accordance with the requirements of the New Jersey State Uniform Construction Code (N.J.S.A. 5:23-2.14).
E. 
No building, structure or land shall be occupied or used until such time as a certificate of occupancy is issued by the Construction Official and the Land Use Officer.
F. 
Whenever there occurs a change of occupancy, tenancy, use, ownership or operation of a nonresidential building, structure or land, a transfer permit shall be obtained to insure compliance with all applicable codes and ordinances of the Township. Responsibility for the application shall rest with the property owner for changes of occupancy, tenancy, operation or use and with the purchaser for changes of ownership.
G. 
Where required, a soil erosion and sediment control plan certification shall be obtained from the Freehold Soil Conservation District prior to subdivision or the erection of any structure or the alteration of the existing grade on any lot. No such certification shall be valid until a development permit shall have first been issued for the subdivision, building, structure or use.
H. 
No person shall erect, alter, modify or expand any sign without a development permit except that no permit shall be required for exempt signs or for complying modifications of the graphic content of signs.
I. 
Except as provided in this section, no application for a building permit shall be approved unless there is included with the plan for such building, improvement or use a plot plan showing the required space reserved for off-street parking, unloading and service purposes. An occupancy permit shall not be issued unless the required off-street parking, unloading and service facilities have been provided.