A. Application Reviewed for Completeness. All applications filed with the community development department shall be initially reviewed for application completeness. The director of community development or designee shall determine whether or not the application is complete and shall notify the applicant in writing of the determination that: (1) All the submittal requirements have been satisfied and that the application has been accepted as complete; or (2) specific information is still necessary to complete the application. For administrative permits and actions, the applicant shall be notified within seven days. For all other permits and actions, the applicant shall be notified within 30 calendar days of application filing, per Government Code Section 65943.

B. Applications Where Violations Occur. No application shall be deemed complete if a violation of this zoning code exists on the parcel, unless the acceptance of the application is necessary to abate the existing violation. If a violation of this zoning code is discovered after the application is deemed complete, the application shall be deemed incomplete and no further processing shall occur until the violation is abated, unless the processing of the application is necessary to abate the violation. This provision shall apply whether: (1) the current applicant was the owner of the subject property at the time the violation occurred; or (2) the applicant is the current owner of the subject property with or without actual or constructive knowledge of the violation at the time of acquisition of the subject property.

C. Termination of Incomplete Application. Upon written notification to the applicant, processing of an incomplete application may be terminated if no reasonable effort has been made by the applicant to complete the application for a period of six months from the date of notification of incompleteness. Notice of termination shall be provided to the applicant at least 30 days prior to termination. All unused fees shall be refunded to the applicant. An extension to this six-month period may be granted by the director of community development on written request by the applicant showing good cause. If terminated, a new application shall be filed, including required fees.

D. California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). After acceptance of a complete application, the project shall be reviewed in accordance with the environmental review procedures of the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code Section 21000 et seq.).

E. Review and Comment. Application materials shall be circulated to other city departments and agencies for review and comment as determined necessary or appropriate by the director of community development. Community development department staff shall be responsible for requesting and incorporating comments into project modifications or conditions of approval to ensure conformance with all provisions of this code and other adopted policies and plans.

F. Written Report. The reviewing or approving authority, as designated in Table 20.84-1, shall prepare a written report that includes recommendation on the approval, conditional approval, or disapproval of the application, taking into account all supplemental application information, provisions of this chapter, other applicable provisions of this code, the city’s general plan, and applicable state law.

G. Written Notice of Decision. Within 10 days from the final action on an application, the approving authority shall send written notice of decision to the project applicant and other affected parties. The notice of decision shall identify the specific action of the approving authority, including the date of action, applicable conditions, basis for determination, and appeal period if applicable. (Ord. 690 § 4 (Exh. A), 2018).