It shall be the duty of the Zoning Officer to
take cognizance of violations of this chapter. He shall investigate
each violation which comes to his attention, whether by observation
or by communication. He shall order in writing the correction of such
conditions as are found to be in violation of this chapter. Failure
to secure a zoning or use permit or Zoning Hearing Board certificate
when required, previous to erection, construction, extension or addition
to a building or change in use of land or building as in this chapter
provided shall be a violation of this chapter.
If a violation occurs and a correction thereof
has been directed by the Zoning Officer, which correction remains
undone for a period of seven calendar days after the date of the issuance
of the order, it shall be the duty of the Zoning Officer to notify
the Township Commissioners of the violation. The Township Commissioners
shall then take such action as they deem necessary to enforce the
correction of the violation. However, if, in the opinion of the Zoning
Officer, the violation creates an imminent danger to life and property,
or is willful and deliberate, the violator shall be ordered to discontinue
such violation immediately. The giving of notice of a violation, as
herein provided, shall not be interpreted to supersede or deny the
Zoning Officer and the Township the right and duty to prosecute a
violator for a violation of each respective provision of this chapter.
[Amended 11-23-1992 by Ord. No. 92-15[1]]
For any and every violation of the provisions
of this chapter, the owner, general agent or contractor of a building
or premises wherein such violation has been permitted or shall exist;
and the lessee or tenant of an entire building or entire premises
where such violation has been committed or shall exist; and the owner,
general agent, contractor, lessee or tenant of any part of the building
or premises in which part such violation has been committed or shall
exist; and the general agent, architect, building contractor or any
other person who knowingly commits, takes part or assists in any such
violation or who maintains any building or premises in which such
violation shall exist shall be liable, on conviction thereof, to a
fine not exceeding $500 and, whenever such person shall have been
notified by the Zoning Officer or by service of warrant in a prosecution
or in any other way that he is committing such violation of this chapter,
each day that he shall continue shall constitute a separate offense
punished by a like fine or imprisonment.
In case any building or structure is erected,
constructed, reconstructed, altered, repaired, converted, relocated,
demolished or maintained; or any building, structure or land is used;
or any sign is erected or maintained; or any hedge, tree, shrub, object
or other growth is maintained in violation of this chapter or any
regulations made pursuant thereto, in addition to the other remedies
provided by law, any appropriate action or proceedings, whether by
legal process or otherwise, may be instituted or taken to prevent
such unlawful erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration,
repair, conversion, relocation, demolition, maintenance or use, to
restrain, correct or abate such violation, and to prevent an illegal
act, conduct, business or use in or about such premises.
