(1) If it appears to the municipality that a violation of any zoning ordinance enacted under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code[1] or prior enabling laws has occurred, the municipality shall initiate enforcement proceedings by sending an enforcement notice as provided in this section.
(2) The enforcement notice shall be sent to the owner of record of the parcel on which the violation has occurred, to any person who has filed a written request to receive enforcement notices regarding that parcel, and to any other person requested in writing by the owner of record.
(3) An enforcement notice shall state at least the following:
(a) The name of the owner of record and any other person against whom the municipality intends to take action.
(b) The location of the property in violation.
(c) The specific violation with a description of the requirements which have not been met, citing in each instance the applicable provisions of the ordinance.
(d) The date before which the steps for compliance must be commenced and the date before which the steps must be completed.
(e) That the recipient of the notice has the right to appeal to the zoning hearing board within a prescribed period of time in accordance with procedures set forth in the ordinance.
(f) That failure to comply with the notice within the time specified, unless extended by appeal to the zoning hearing board, constitutes a violation, with possible sanctions clearly described.
(4) In any appeal of an enforcement notice to the Zoning Hearing Board, the municipality shall have the responsibility of presenting its evidence first.
(5) Any filing fees paid by a party to appeal an enforcement notice to the Zoning Hearing Board shall be returned to the appealing party by the municipality if the Zoning Hearing Board, or any court in a subsequent appeal, rules in the appealing party's favor.
