In interpreting and applying the provisions
of this chapter, they shall be held to be the minimum requirements
for the promotion of public safety, convenience, prosperity and general
welfare.
A.Â
The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced by
the Zoning Officer. The Code Enforcement Official shall enforce resolutions
of the Zoning Board of Adjustment and the Planning Board.
[Amended 11-13-1996 by Ord. No. 1996:732; 9-12-2001 by Ord. No. 2001:848]
B.Â
It shall be the duty of the Zoning Officer to keep
a record of all applications for permits, together with a record of
all permits issued. He or she shall file and safely keep copies of
all plats submitted and shall have them available for the use of the
officials of the Borough of Closter.
C.Â
The Zoning Officer shall not issue a permit for the
construction or use of any building or property unless there first
is filed with him or her a copy of the plans and specifications for
the construction or alteration, together with a plot plan drawn to
scale showing the location of all present and proposed buildings on
the same. In addition thereto, he or she shall require a complete
statement of the use for which any present or proposed buildings or
premises are to be occupied. No such permit shall be issued unless
the construction or use shall also conform to the requirements of
this or all other ordinances of the Borough of Closter.
D.Â
All requests for building permits shall be made in
writing, on forms supplied by the Construction Official, by the owner
or his or her authorized representative.
[Amended 11-13-1996 by Ord. No. 1996:732]
E.Â
All building permits granted by the Construction Official
shall be valid for a period of six months from the date of issuance,
and all such permits shall bear the date of issuance. If no construction
or alteration has commenced within said six-month period after issuance,
the applicant may not commence any construction or alteration thereafter
unless he or she has applied for and obtained an extension of said
building permit for an additional six-month period prior to the expiration
thereof. The Construction Official is authorized to extend any building
permit for an additional six-month period, making a total period of
one year. If no construction or alteration has commenced one year
from the date of issuance of the original building permit, no construction
or alteration may commence thereafter under said building permit.
The applicant thereafter shall be required to obtain a new building
permit in compliance with this chapter and all other ordinances of
the Borough of Closter at said time.
[Added 8-9-1972 by Ord. No. 1972:236; amended 11-13-1996 by Ord. No. 1996:732]
[Amended 9-8-1971 by Ord. No. 1971:224; 3-13-1985 by Ord. No. 1985:491; 9-12-2001 by Ord. No. 2001:848]
A.Â
No building hereinafter erected or altered shall be
occupied or used, in whole or in part, for any use whatsoever, and
no property shall be used and no change of use shall hereafter be
made of any building or part thereof or any premises used until a
certificate of zoning approval has been issued by the Zoning Officer
indicating that the building complies with the provisions of this
chapter.
B.Â
When any structure or building or premises have been
used or occupied for a use which constituted a nonconforming use and
such use is discontinued or such occupancy ceases, then no person
shall thereafter occupy or use said structure or building or premises
for any use whatsoever until a certificate of zoning approval has
been issued by the Zoning Officer indicating that the proposed occupancy
or use is authorized and complies with the requirements of this chapter.
C.Â
Existing buildings. Upon request from an owner of
an existing building or structure, the Zoning Officer shall issue
a certificate of continued zoning approval, provided that there are
no violations of law or orders of the Zoning Officer pending and it
is established after inspection and investigation that the alleged
use of the building or structure has heretofore existed. The certificate
of continued zoning approval shall evidence only that a general inspection
of the visible parts of the building has been made and that there
are no apparent violations of the regulations. Nothing in this provision
shall prevent the continued use and occupancy of any such lawfully
existing building or structure.
[Amended 9-12-2001 by Ord. No. 2001:848]
A.Â
Application for such certificate of zoning approval
shall be made upon forms to be obtained from the Zoning Officer, which
application form shall include an endorsement of approval, where necessary
as hereinafter specified, for the issuance of such certificate of
zoning approval by each of the following:
B.Â
Upon presentation of such application, properly endorsed
to the Zoning Officer, the issuance of such certificate of zoning
approval shall be granted or denied within 10 days from the date of
the application therefor.
[Amended 10-13-1971 by Ord. No. 1971:226; 4-11-1973 by Ord. No. 1973:246; 1-3-1994 by Ord. No. 1993:663]
The Zoning Officer shall collect a fee for the issuance of certificates of occupancy in accordance with the sums set forth in Chapter A301, Fees and Deposits.
[Added 8-9-1972 by Ord. No. 1972:235; amended 1-3-1994 by Ord. No. 1993:663]
Whenever any exception or variance is granted
or recommended by the Board of Adjustment pursuant to the provisions
of N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70 or whenever the Mayor and Council of the Borough
of Closter approve a recommendation for a variance pursuant to the
provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70d, any such exception or variance
shall expire and become null and void and of no effect one year after
the date of such approval unless the applicant has commenced construction
upon the property for which such exception or variance was granted
or approved or has commenced construction, alteration or conversion
upon a building on such property for which such variance or exception
was granted or approved.
The Mayor and Council may from time to time,
on their own adoption or on petition, after public notice and hearing,
amend, supplement or change the regulations and districts herein established
and adopt rules and regulations for the purpose of interpreting and
carrying this chapter into effect. Every such proposed amendment,
supplement or change shall be referred by the Mayor and Council to
either the Board of Adjustment or any Planning Board which may be
legally in existence at that time for the purpose of investigation
and report. The recommendation sent to the Mayor and Council shall
be advisory only.
