[Ord. 160, 4/6/1977]
The Zoning Officer shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors,
and he shall administer this chapter and amendments hereto in accordance
with its literal terms.
[Ord. 160, 4/6/1977]
[Ord. 160, 4/6/1977; as amended by Ord. 295, 8/9/1989]
In the event any building, structure, landscaping or land is
or is proposed to be erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered,
converted, maintained or used in violation of this chapter, the Zoning
Officer, with the approval of the Board of Supervisors, may, in addition
to any other remedies permitted under this chapter, institute any
appropriate action or proceeding to prevent, restrain, correct or
abate such building, structure, landscaping or land or to prevent
in or about such premises any act, conduct, business or use constituting
a violation.
[Ord. 160, 4/6/1977; as amended by Ord. 295, 8/9/1989]
If the Zoning Officer shall find that any of the provisions
of this chapter are being violated, he shall initiate enforcement
proceedings by sending an enforcement notice as provided in the Pennsylvania
Municipalities Planning Code, as amended, 53 P.S. § 10101
et seq.
[Ord. 160, 4/6/1977; as amended by Ord. 186, 10/22/1980]
1.
It shall be the duty of the Zoning Officer to:
A.
Receive and examine all applications for permits.
B.
Issue permits for construction and uses which are in accordance with
the requirements of this chapter.
C.
Revoke, by order, a permit issued under a mistake of fact or contrary
to law or the provisions of this chapter.
D.
Record and file all applications for permits with accompanying plans
and documents, if any.
E.
Make such reports as the Board of Supervisors shall require.
F.
Issue permits for construction and uses which are special exceptions
or variances to requirements of this chapter only upon order of the
Zoning Hearing Board.
G.
Require that all lots shall have corner stakes set by a registered
surveyor, and that the application for a zoning permit and the accompanying
plot plan shall contain all the information necessary to enable him
to ascertain whether the proposed use, building, construction or alteration
complies with the provisions of this chapter. No zoning permit shall
be issued unless the administrative officer certifies that the proposed
use, building, construction or alteration complies with the provisions
of this chapter.
H.
Issue stop, cease and desist orders, and order in writing the correction
of all conditions found to be in violation of the provisions of this
chapter or any condition for approval imposed by the Board of Supervisors
or the Zoning Hearing Board. Such written orders either shall be posted
upon property or shall be served personally and/or by certified mail
upon persons, firms or corporations deemed by the Zoning Officer to
be violating the terms of this chapter. All orders not appealed within
30 days shall be deemed final.
[Ord. 160, 4/6/1977; as amended by Ord. 210, 5/9/1984; by Ord. 341, 11/13/1991; and by Ord. 561, 4/25/2012]
1.
Certificates of Use, Occupancy and Compliance.
A.
No use of vacant land, other than agricultural use, shall be made
nor shall any building or structure hereafter constructed, erected
or structurally altered be occupied or used, nor shall any existing
use of a building, structure, or land be changed until a certificate
of use, occupancy and compliance shall have been issued by the Zoning
Officer.
B.
In the event that a building permit is required for the construction,
erection or structural alteration of any building or structure, an
application for a certificate of use, occupancy and compliance shall
be made simultaneously with the application for the building permit.
The applicant shall notify the Zoning Officer of the date on which
such construction, erection or structural alteration shall have been
completed in conformity with the provisions of this chapter, and the
Zoning Officer shall examine the building or structure involved in
accordance with Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC) requirements.
If the Zoning Officer shall find that such construction, erection
or structural alteration has been completed in accordance with the
provisions of this chapter, a certificate of use, occupancy and compliance
shall be issued.
[Amended by Ord. No. 611, 8/25/2021]
C.
In the event that any existing use of a building, structure or land
is to be changed, an application for a certificate of use, occupancy
and compliance shall be made prior to the change of such use. The
Zoning Officer shall make such examination and investigation as is
necessary to determine whether the proposed change in use shall be
in compliance with this chapter in accordance with Pennsylvania Uniform
Construction Code (UCC) requirements, for if such proposed use shall
be found to be in accordance with the provisions of this chapter,
a certificate of use, occupancy and compliance shall be issued.
[Amended by Ord. No. 611, 8/25/2021]
D.
A certificate of use, occupancy and compliance issued under this
section shall state that the building, structure or land complies
with the provisions of this chapter.
2.
Temporary Certificate of Use, Occupancy and Compliance. The Zoning
Officer may issue a temporary certificate of use, occupancy and compliance
which may permit the use or occupancy of a building or structure during
structural alteration thereof or may permit the partial use or occupancy
of a building or structure during its construction or erection; provided,
however, that such a temporary certificate of use, occupancy and compliance
shall be valid only for a period not exceeding 90 days from its issuance
and shall be subject to such restrictions and provisions as may be
deemed necessary by the Zoning Officer to adequately ensure the safety
of persons using or occupying the building, structure or land involved.
Application for such a temporary certificate of use, occupancy and
compliance shall be made in the same manner as for a certificate of
use, occupancy and compliance, and the application for or issuance
of such a temporary certificate of use, occupancy and compliance shall
in no way affect the obligation to apply for and obtain a certificate
of use, occupancy and compliance.
3.
Temporary Certificate of Use, Occupancy and Compliance for Special Events. The certificate of use, occupancy and compliance for a special event shall be subject to the provisions of Subsection 2 herein. The certificate of use, occupancy and compliance for a special event may be reissued for any recurring special event, provided that the nature, location and areal extent of the special event is substantially unchanged. A recurring special event shall also be subject to any amendments to this chapter and other applicable ordinances, regulations or laws. In addition to those items required by Subsection 4A, the following information and documentation shall be provided:
A.
The locations of any structures, mechanical rides or amusements,
fencing, lighting and off-street parking.
B.
Access points to abutting streets, including alternate access points
for emergency vehicles.
C.
The anticipated number of participants, including staff persons,
volunteers and security personnel.
D.
The following permits, if applicable:
(3)
Electrical service permit.
(4)
Water permit from the Northampton Bucks County Municipal Authority.
(5)
Health licenses from the Bucks County Department of Health.
(6)
Highway occupancy permits from the Pennsylvania Department of
Transportation or Northampton Township.
(7)
Proof of Pennsylvania amusement license.
E.
An escrow account shall be established to guarantee that provisions
be made for the following:
F.
Assurance of the availability of emergency medical services in accordance
with the Emergency Medical Services System Act, 35 Pa.C.S.A. § 8101
et seq.
4.
Application Forms.
A.
All applications for certificates of use, occupancy and compliance
shall be made on printed forms to be furnished by the Zoning Officer
and shall contain accurate information as to the size and location
of the lot, the size and location of the buildings or structures on
the lot, the dimensions of all yards and open spaces and such other
information as may be required by the Zoning Officer as necessary
to provide for the enforcement of this chapter.
B.
No building permit or other permit for excavation or for the erection,
construction, repair or alteration of a building or structure shall
be issued before application has been made for a certificate of use,
occupancy and compliance. Decorative structures (not intended for
human occupancy or use) shall not require issuance of a permit or
certificate.
[Ord. 160, 4/6/1977; as amended by Ord. No.
611, 8/25/2021]
Every permit issued shall be valid for the time frame established
in the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code ( UCC) and the Zoning
Director may grant extensions in accordance with the provisions established
therein.
[Ord. 160, 4/6/1977]
1.
The Board of Township Supervisors shall determine a schedule of fees,
charges and expenses, as well as a collection procedure, for permits,
variances, special exceptions, conditional uses, amendments and other
matters pertaining to this chapter. Said schedule of fees shall be
posted in the offices of the Township Secretary-Treasurer and the
Zoning Officer.
2.
The Board of Township Supervisors shall be empowered to reevaluate
the fee schedule from time to time and make necessary alterations
to it. Such alterations shall not be considered an amendment to this
chapter and may be adopted at any public meeting by resolution.
3.
All fees collected hereunder shall be paid into the Township treasury.
4.
Special exceptions and variances shall be acted upon only after fees
have been paid in full, and the Zoning Hearing Board shall take no
action on appeals until preliminary charges have been paid in full.
