Zoning permit required.
A. A permit shall be required prior to the erection or alteration of any building, structure or portion thereof and prior to the use or change in use of a building or land and prior to the change or extension of a nonconforming use. Permits shall expire one year from the date of issuance; provided, however, that if work is not commenced within 90 days from the date of the permit, the permit shall automatically expire, and a new permit shall be required before such work commences.
B. All applications for zoning permits for nonresidential uses within the C-1 and C-3 Districts shall be submitted to the Township Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors, unless the use has been approved by a previously approved zoning permit or land development application, to ensure compliance with this chapter and to encourage compliance with the planning guidelines set forth in Township plans and policies, including but not limited to driveway access, street trees and traffic safety.
Application for zoning permit.
A. Applications for permits shall be made to the Zoning Officer on such forms as may be furnished by the Township. Each application shall contain all information necessary for such official to ascertain whether the proposed erection, alteration, use or change of use complies with the provisions of this chapter.
B. A zoning permit shall be required for the clearing or removal of trees where more than 10 healthy trees of six-inch caliper, or greater, in size as measured at a height of 4.5 feet above grade level on a single lot are proposed to be removed in any calendar year and where no building permit has been requested in conjunction with the tree removal proposal. Such permit application shall show the area proposed to be cleared and the area of the tree removal, and shall state the purpose of the tree removal. If an application for subdivision or land development is made for the property within two years of the zoning permit for tree removal, the requirements for tree protection and preservation, as set forth in this chapter and in Chapter
153, Subdivision and Land Development, shall be applied to the property as it was prior to the removal of trees. If tree removal has exceeded the limits set forth in Township ordinances, the applicant shall be required to replace trees removed during the tree-clearing process so that there shall be a minimum of 70 caliper-inches of trees per acre after replanting occurs.
C. No permit shall be required for the removal of nursery stock in the normal operation of a nursery where trees or shrubs are raised for sale and where the nursery meets the use regulations for A-1, agriculture and horticulture, of this chapter, or for other activities undertaken as part of an agriculture and horticulture use A-1.
Issuance of permits and occupancy certificates.
A. Zoning permits shall be granted or refused within 10 days after a complete written application has been filed with the Zoning Officer, provided that nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to require or empower the Zoning Officer to grant a permit approving construction on or use of land which has been subdivided into lots pursuant to a plan of subdivision, the plan and profile of which have not been approved by the Township Board of Supervisors and duly recorded as required by law.
B. Upon completion of the erection or alteration of any building or portion thereof authorized by a zoning permit and prior to occupancy and/or use, the holder of such permit shall notify the Zoning Officer of such completion. No permit shall be considered complete or permanently effective until the Zoning Officer has certified that the work has been inspected and approved as being in conformity with the provisions of this chapter and other applicable ordinances and regulations. All applications with accompanying plans and documents shall become and be preserved as a public record, subject to the disposition of the Board of Supervisors.
