[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township
of Bethel 3-8-2005 by Ord. No. 163. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A.
Applicability. An occupancy permit shall be deemed to authorize and
is required for both initial and continued occupancy and use of the
building or land to which it applies. Such a permit shall certify
that the premises have been inspected and comply with all previously
approved plans and all conditions or safeguards attached to the issuance
of a zoning permit. It shall also certify that the premises comply
with all other applicable requirements of the Township of Bethel.
The following shall be unlawful until an occupancy permit shall have
been applied for and issued by the Zoning Officer:
(1)
Occupancy and use of a building erected, reconstructed, restored,
altered, moved or any change in use of an existing building;
(2)
Occupancy, use or any change in use of vacant land;
(3)
Any change in use of a nonconforming use; and
(4)
Any change in ownership in residential owner-occupied structures
and new tenancy in rental facilities.
B.
Applications. Application for an occupancy permit shall be made on
forms furnished by the Township after the building or part thereof
has been erected, the change in use has been completed or the land
placed in use. In the case of a change in ownership or tenancy of
an existing residential building, an occupancy permit shall be applied
for by the owner of such a building upon the sale or rental, respectively.
C.
Action by the Zoning Officer.
(1)
The Zoning Officer shall, within 15 days of application of filing,
inspect the premises and either certify their compliance with the
previously approved plans and all conditions and safeguards stated
upon issuance of a zoning permit or deny such certification. In the
case of a change in use of an existing building or vacant land (when
no zoning permit is required), the Zoning Officer shall verify compliance
with the applicable zoning regulations.
(2)
Upon establishment of compliance in any of the aforementioned cases,
the Zoning Officer shall note his certification on the occupancy permit
form in one column designated for zoning inspections. The certified
occupancy permit form shall be forwarded to the Zoning Officer for
further processing.
(3)
If the Zoning Officer's certification of the occupancy permit
form is denied, the Zoning Officer shall state in writing the reasons
for such denial.
(4)
The items to be inspected are:
(b)
House numbers must be of reflecting numbers on a contrasting
background and be at least three inches in height and have a 1/2 inch
stroke.
(c)
Ingress and egress into the house. Must have one all-weather
surface and not have any trip surfaces and maintained in good condition.
(d)
Smoke detectors: one every level and one every bedroom, either
battery-operated or hard-wired with battery backup, or both.
A.
The Board of Supervisors shall establish by resolution, a schedule
of fees, charges, expenses and collection procedures for building
permits, sign permits, special exceptions, variances, appeals, amendments
and other matters pertaining to this chapter.
B.
A schedule of fees shall be posted in the office of the Zoning Officer
and may be altered or amended by the Board of Supervisors only.
C.
The cost of permits shall be based on a fee schedule as established
from time to time by the Board of Supervisors.
D.
No action shall be taken on any application for any special exception,
variance, appeal or other similar matter pertaining to this chapter
until all application fees, charges and expenses have been paid in
full.
