The office of Land Development and Zoning is charged with the broad responsibility of administering the Summit Township Subdivision, Land Development & Mobile Home Park Ordinance, Zoning Ordinance, Stormwater Ordinance, Floodplain Ordinance, Sidewalk Ordinance and all General Ordinances enacted by the Township. This office also serves as an informative and administrative assistant for the Summit Township Planning Commission, as well as the Summit Township Zoning Hearing Board. All duties and tasks associated with Summit Township Permits and Ordinance Enforcement are handled by the Land Development and Zoning Office. We work very hard and pride ourselves on being as efficient and informative as possible, in order to provide the most helpful experience to all Summit Township Residents, Developers, Engineers/Surveyors and other community stakeholders.
On June 5, 2018 Summit Township became an Opt-In Municipality and is contracted with Building Inspection Underwriters (BIU) to enforce the Uniform Construction Code (UCC). All Building Permits for construction within Summit Township must be obtained from BIU and all construction must conform to the requirements of the UCC as required. A representative from BIU (Steve Wilt) has daily office hours at the Township Office from 8:00 – 9:00 AM every Monday – Friday (excluding holidays) for Township residents and contractors to apply for Building Permits and ask UCC related questions. Residents and contractors can also feel free to contact BIU at their Erie business office located on W. 38th Street by phone number 814-860-8044.
The Summit Township Board of Supervisors adopted the Zoning Ordinance which sets forth land use classifications and divides the township into zoning districts as delineated on the official zoning map. The Board of Supervisors adopted these zones for the purpose of implementing the goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan, to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Summit Township, to safeguard and enhance the appearance and quality of township development, and to provide for the social, physical and economic advantages resulting from the comprehensive and orderly planned use of land resources. The current Summit Township Zoning Ordinance was adopted by the Board of Supervisors in 2021. Zoning has been a part of the Summit Community since 1957, when the first Summit Township Zoning Ordinance was adopted.
The administration of the zoning ordinance is the responsibility of the Zoning Officer. He/she is appointed by the Summit Township Board of Supervisors. The Summit Township Zoning Ordinance has been administered by seven Zoning Officers over the 62 years that zoning has been a part of the Summit Community. Those individuals listed from earliest to latest are Thomas Curley, Jack Gifford, Elmo Kelly, Nancy Agostine, Marjorie Hudak, Nathan Miller, and Tamara Cass. The Zoning Officer’s duties are many and he/she must administer the Ordinance by its literal terms. The Zoning Officer does not have the ability to waive nor tighten any requirements of the Zoning Ordinance.
Please contact the Land Development and Zoning Office with any questions regarding the zoning of any property located in Summit Township, or with any general questions pertaining to the zoning ordinance. Our professional staff will be happy to assist you.
