42-361. Zoning Permits

  1. Purpose. Zoning Permits are required for (1) the erection, movement, addition to or structural alteration of any structure and (2) the expansion of or change in any use.
  2. Permit Issuance. The Zoning Administrator shall issue permits. No Zoning Permit shall be issued until the appropriate site plan has been reviewed and approved by the appropriate staff or reviewing agency. All permits shall be issued in conformity with the provisions of this Chapter, except where the Zoning Administrator receives a written order from (1) the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) in the form of an interpretation involving error, special use or variance; or (2) the Board of Commissioners in the form of the issuance of approval for a vested right.
  3. Application.
    1. Pre-application Conference. None required.
    2. Application. Each application for a permit shall be filed on a form provided by the Zoning Administrator. Applications may be modified by the Zoning Administrator as necessary, who may require the applicant to supply additional information. Applications must be made by a person with a property interest in the property or a contract to purchase the property.
    3. Review Schedule. None established.
    4. Fees. Any review fee established by the Commissioners shall be submitted with the application.
  4. Staff Review. The Zoning Administrator shall process and review all applications for a permit. If the application is found to be incomplete, the Zoning Administrator shall notify the applicant of any deficiencies. The Zoning Administrator, for projects not involving some other form of review, shall approve, approve conditionally or deny the approval of the application. Where the Zoning Administrator denies the permit, reasons for the denial shall be stated. A zoning permit must be issued prior to the issuance of a building permit, which shall comply with the zoning permit and all conditions of approval attached thereto.
  5. Permit Validity. Upon the issuance of a permit through written or secure electronic form, the applicant shall have six (6) months from the date of issuance thereon to obtain a building permit or begin substantial construction work on the project. Failure to obtain a building permit or make substantial construction progress within six (6) months shall render the permit void. The Zoning Administrator may grant a single extension of this time period of up to six (6) months upon submittal by the applicant of sufficient justification for the extension.