Enforcement
(a) Zoning enforcement officer. The building official is hereby designated as the zoning enforcement officer. The zoning enforcement officer shall enforce the provisions of this chapter. In addition, all records of the zoning board of review shall be filed in the office of the zoning enforcement officer.
(b) Zoning certificate.
(1) No building, structure or sign shall hereafter be erected, enlarged, relocated or maintained and no nonstructural use shall be initiated until the zoning enforcement officer has certified, in writing, that the proposed use, structure or sign conforms to the provision of this chapter. The zoning enforcement officer may require that copies of plans, specifications and such other information including "as-built" plans, which he or she may deem necessary, be filed with the application for such certificate.
(2) The zoning enforcement officer shall, upon written request, issue a zoning certificate, or deny such certificate, to the requesting party within 15 days of the written request.
(3) No certificate may be issued by the zoning enforcement officer for any use not specifically permitted in this chapter except when the officer receives a statement, in writing, from the zoning board of review indicating the granting of an appeal, a special use permit or variance or a statement, in writing, from the town council specifying an amendment to this chapter.
(c) Violation. Any person, group of persons, or corporation violating any provision of this chapter or any terms or conditions attached to the granting of a special use permit or variance shall be guilty of a violation of this chapter and may be fined not more than $500.00 for each offense. Each day of the existence of a violation shall constitute a separate offense. Immediately upon notification of any violation by the zoning enforcement officer, the town solicitor shall institute appropriate action to prevent, enjoin or remove such violation.
(d) Written response required. In order to provide guidance or clarification, the zoning enforcement officer shall, upon written request, provide information to the requesting party in writing as to the determination of compliance with the zoning chapter by the official within 15 days of the written request. In the event that no written response is provided within that time, the requesting party shall have the right to appeal to the zoning board of review for the determination.
(Ord. of 5-27-2009)
State Law reference— Administration and enforcement of zoning ordinance, G.L 1956, § 45-24-31; violations and penalties, G.L. 1956, § 45-24-60.