This Chapter provides procedures and requirements for the preparation, filing, and initial processing of applications for the land use permits required by this Title.
(Ord. 2456 § 2, 2010)
Table 5-1 identifies the City official or body responsible for reviewing and making decisions on each type of application, land use permit, and other approval required by this Title. The Director may defer action on permit application(s), over which the Director holds decision review authority to the Commission for a final decision.
Table 5-1
Review Authority
Type of Permit or Decision
Chapter/Section for Procedure
Role of Review Authority1
Director
Commission
Council
General Plan Amendments
Chapter 17.620
Not Applicable
Recommend
Decision
Interpretations
Chapter 17.120
Decision
Appeal
Appeal
Time Extensions
Section 17.510.030
Decision
Appeal
Appeal
Zoning Map Amendments
Chapter 17.620
Not Applicable
Recommend
Decision
Zoning Text Amendments
Chapter 17.620
Not Applicable
Recommend
Decision
Administrative Use Permits
Chapter 17.550
Decision
Appeal
Appeal
Administrative Adjustments
Chapter 17.555
Decision
Appeal
Appeal
Comprehensive Plans
Chapter 17.560
Not Applicable
Recommend
Decision
Conditional Use Permits
Chapter 17.550
Not Applicable
Decision
Appeal
Development Agreements
Chapter 17.580
Not Applicable
Recommend
Decision
Development Review exempt from CEQA
Chapter 17.520
Decision
Appeal
Appeal
Development Review subject to CEQA and/or deferred to the Commission
Chapter 17.520
Not Applicable
Decision
Appeal
Lot Line Adjustment
WMC Chapter 16.08
Decision
Appeal
Appeal
Master Sign Plan
Section 17.330.045
Decision
Appeal
Appeal
Specific Plans
Chapter 17.560
Not Applicable
Recommend
Decision
Special Advertising Permit
Section 17.330.055
Not Applicable
Decision
Appeal
Special Provisions
Section 17.330.050
Not Applicable
Decision
Appeal
Temporary Event Permits
Chapter 17.540
Decision
Appeal
Appeal
Temporary Use Permits
Chapter 17.540
Decision
Appeal
Appeal
Tentative Parcel Map
WMC Chapter 16.04
Not Applicable
Decision
Appeal
Tentative Tract Map
WMC Chapter 16.04
Not Applicable
Decision
Appeal
Variances
Chapter 17.555
Not Applicable
Decision
Appeal
Zoning Clearance
Chapter 17.515
Decision
Appeal
Appeal
Notes:
1
"Recommend" means that the review authority makes a recommendation to a higher decision-making body; "Decision" means that the review authority makes the final decision on the matter; "Appeal" means that the review authority may consider and decide upon appeals to the decision of an earlier decision-making body, in compliance with Chapter 17.640, Appeals.
(Ord. 2456 § 2, 2010; Ord. 2478 § 2, 2011; Ord. 2490 § 2, 2012; Ord. 2631, 1/14/2026)
The preparation and filing of applications for land use permits, entitlements, amendments (e.g., General Plan, Zoning Map, and Zoning Code), and other matters pertaining to this Title shall comply with the following requirements:
A. 
Preliminary Project Review (Optional)
1. 
Purpose. The purpose of the preliminary project review is to inform the applicant of City requirements as they apply to the proposed development project, review the procedures outlined in this Title, explore possible alternatives or modifications, and identify necessary technical studies and required information relating to future environmental review.
2. 
Applicability. A prospective applicant or agent may submit a preliminary project review request with the Division before formal submittal of a project application.
3. 
Procedure. Upon submittal of a preliminary project review request, the item shall be scheduled for a Project Review Committee (PRC) meeting in accordance with the PRC meeting schedule established by the Division. The applicant shall be invited to attend the PRC meeting where opportunities for discussion about the project and exchange of information on potential issues between City staff and the applicant take place. Neither the preliminary project review nor the provision of information and/or pertinent policies shall be construed as a recommendation or an official determination for approval or disapproval of the application or project.
B. 
Application Contents. Applications shall be filed with the Division on the appropriate City forms, together with all necessary fees and/or deposits, exhibits, maps, materials, plans, reports, and other information specified in the application form and any applicable Division handout, and any additional information required by the Director in order to describe clearly and accurately the proposed project, its potential environmental impact, and its effect on existing improvements, and to conduct a thorough review of the proposed project.
C. 
Eligibility for Filing. All zoning approval and other applications required by this Title shall be filed with the Division. Applications may be made by:
1. 
The owner(s) of the subject property;
2. 
Any agent or representative, with the written consent of the property owner(s).
D. 
Filing Date. The filing date of any application shall be the date on which the application along with the required application processing fees is submitted to the Division.
(Ord. 2456 § 2, 2010)
A. 
Filing Fees Required. The Council shall, by resolution, adopt a schedule of fees for permits, entitlements, amendments, and other matters pertaining to this Title (hereafter referred to as the City Council Fee Resolution). The City Council Fee Resolution may be obtained from the Division and may be changed or modified only by resolution of the Council. The City's processing fees are cumulative. For example, if an application for a Development Review also requires a Variance, both fees will be charged. Also, specified projects may be subject to a deposit and an hourly rate, rather than a flat application fee(s), in compliance with the City Council Fee Resolution. Processing shall not commence on an application until all required fees/deposits have been paid. Without the application fee(s), or deposit if applicable, the application will not be deemed complete.
B. 
Refunds and Withdrawals
1. 
Recognizing that filing fees are used to cover City costs of public hearings, mailing, posting, transcripts, and staff time involved in processing applications, no refunds shall be issued due to a disapproval of an application.
2. 
In the case of an application withdrawal, the Director may authorize a partial refund based upon the costs incurred to-date and determination of the status of the application at the time of withdrawal.
(Ord. 2456 § 2, 2010)
Each application filed with the Division shall be initially processed as follows:
A. 
Completeness Review. The Division shall review an application for completeness before it is accepted as being complete to begin processing. The Division will consider an application complete when:
1. 
All necessary application forms, documentation, exhibits, materials, maps, plans, reports, and other information specified in the application form, any applicable Division handout, and any additional information required by the Director have been provided and accepted as adequate.
2. 
All necessary fees and deposits have been paid and accepted.
B. 
Notification of Applicant. The applicant shall receive written notification within 30 days of submittal that the application is complete and has been accepted for processing, or that the application is incomplete and that additional information, specified in the written notification, must be provided.
1. 
This 30 day limitation does not apply to legislative acts, including zoning map amendments, zoning code amendments or General Plan amendments.
C. 
Appeal by Applicant. If the application together with the submitted materials is again found incomplete following subsequent submittal of requested materials, the applicant can appeal that decision in writing to the Planning Commission in accordance with Section 65943 of Government Code.
D. 
Expiration of Application. If a pending application is not resubmitted within three months after receiving an incomplete notice from the planning division, the application shall expire and be deemed withdrawn and any remaining deposit amount shall be refunded, subject to administrative processing fees. If an application, after being deemed complete, is not acted upon by the applicant within a three month period, then the application shall expire and be deemed withdrawn.
E. 
Extension of Application. The Director may grant a single three-month extension upon written request of the applicant. After expiration of the application and extension, if granted, a new application, including fees, plans, exhibits, and other materials will be required to commence processing of a new project application on the same property.
F. 
Additional Information. After the application has been accepted as complete, the Director may require the applicant to submit additional information needed for the environmental review of the project in compliance with Section 17.500.030, Environmental Assessment.
G. 
Referral of Application. At the discretion of the Director, or where otherwise required by this Title or State or Federal law, an application filed in compliance with this Title may be referred to any public agency that may be affected by or have an interest in the proposed land use activity.
(Ord. 2456 § 2, 2010; Ord. 2621, 6/11/2025)
After acceptance of a complete application, the project shall be reviewed in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), to determine whether the proposed project is exempt from the requirements of CEQA, is not a project as defined by CEQA, or if an initial study shall be required. The determination shall be made within 30 days of the date the application was deemed complete.
(Ord. 2456 § 2, 2010; Ord. 2621, 6/11/2025)