1. Permits and certificates.
A. Applicability.
(1) Any of the following activities or any other activity regulated by this chapter shall only be carried out in conformity with this chapter:
(a) Erection, construction, movement, placement or extension of a structure, building or sign;
(b) Change of the type of use or expansion of the use of a structure or area of land;
(c) Creation of a lot or alteration of lot lines; and/or
(d) Creation of a new use.
(2) Zoning permit. A zoning permit indicates that a zoning application complies with this chapter to the best knowledge of the applicable Township staff.
(a) A zoning permit is required to be issued prior to the start of any of the following activities:
[1] Erection, construction, movement, placement, relocation or expansion of a structure, building or sign;
[2] Change of the type of use or expansion of the use of a structure or area of land;
[3] Creation of a new use;
[4] Alterations affecting matters regulated by this chapter;
[5] Mineral extraction as defined by
§ 295-22: Definitions;
[6] Excavation or grading involving land with non-man-made slopes of 15% or greater; and/or
[7] Construction or installation of any animal waste impoundment, lake, pond, dam or other water retention basin.
(b) The Township may, at its option, issue combined or separate building permits and zoning permits and/or may utilize single or separate applications for the permits.
(3) Certificate of occupancy.
(a) Township certificate of occupancy is required in certain situations under the Township Construction Code. If such certificate of occupancy involves a new principal nonresidential building or a new principal use, it shall need a signature of the Zoning Officer.
(b) The Zoning Officer may require that the issuance of the certificate of occupancy be delayed, if the Zoning Officer believes that the activity, structure or use is not in compliance with this chapter and associated zoning approvals, until such time as compliance is achieved.
(c) Upon the request of an applicant, the Township may, in writing, allow a temporary occupancy or activity to occur before all zoning requirements have been met where the following conditions are met:
[1] The applicant shall prove to the Township that the activity or occupancy can occur safely without endangering public health or safety.
[2] The temporary approval shall be conditioned upon compliance with certain specific requirements within certain time periods. A six-month maximum time period shall apply if not otherwise specified.
[3] Failure to receive a permanent certificate of occupancy within such time period shall be a violation of this chapter.
[4] See
§ 295-5G.
B. Repairs and maintenance.
Ordinary repairs and maintenance to existing structures that do not involve an expansion or change of a use or structure shall not by themselves be regulated by this chapter. Examples of such work include replacement of a roof or porch that does not involve enclosure of space. (However, a construction permit under any Township Building Code may be needed for such work.)
A. After receiving a proper application, the Zoning Officer shall either issue the applicable permit(s) or deny the application(s) as submitted, indicating one or more reasons.
B. After the permit under this chapter has been issued, the applicant may undertake the action specified by the permit, in compliance with other Township ordinances. However, it is recommended that applicants wait 30 days to begin construction if there is a possibility of an appeal by another party to have the permit revoked.
A Township fee schedule for permits and applications may be established and amended by written resolution of the Board of Commissioners. No application or appeal shall be considered filed until all fees are paid.
See
Fee Schedule for more detailed information.
4. Amendments.Within the requirements of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, the Board of Commissioners may amend or repeal any or all portions of this chapter on its own motion or after agreeing to hear a written request of any person, entity, landowner or the Planning Commission.
