Chapter 17.64 — ADMINISTRATION

• A. The purpose of Chapters 17.64 through 17.140 is to outline procedures for filing and processing the various land use permits, subdivision maps, variances and other regulatory review and approval responsibilities of the City. Chapters 17.64 through 17.140 also provide for the review and processing of development agreements, amendments to the general plan and this zoning ordinance.

• B. The system of regulatory review and permit approval provides a full range of processing options gauged to the type of use and its intensity and appropriateness. Table 17.64.01 (Review Authority) identifies the full range of land use permit options and applicable final review authority. Appeals of Director determinations are to the Planning Commission and appeals of Planning Commission determinations are to the City Council.

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Table 17.64.01
REVIEW AUTHORITY
Applicable Code Planning City
Type of Application Section Director Commission Council
Ministerial (Staff Level)
Certificate of Occupancy 17.72 X
Development Permits – Administrative
Single-family Residential 17.92 X
Housing – 1 structure
1 17.40.060 X
Antennae
Fences and Walls 17.40.110 X
Large Family Day Care 17.08.070 X
Development Permits –
Minor
Minor Additions to 17.92 X
existing Commercial or
Industrial Buildings
Home Occupation Permits 17.108 X
Interpretations (Zoning 17.112 X
Ordinance)
Landscape Plans 17.56 X
Lot Line or Boundary 16.20.110 X4
Adjustment
Minor Exceptions 17.116 X
Minor Modifications 17.120 X
Sign Permits 17.44 X

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Table 17.64.01
REVIEW AUTHORITY
Applicable Code Planning City
Type of Application Section Director Commission Council
Temporary Use Permits1 17.136 X
Tree Removal 17.56.090 X
Zoning Compliance/Approval
Accessory Structures in X
Residential Zones not
Requiring a Building
Permit
Building Color X
Modifications on
Nonresidential
Buildings1
Tenant Improvements/ X
Occupancy Permit for
Nonresidential Uses
(where no other approval
required)
Quasi-Judicial
Administrative Conditional 17.74 X
Use Permit
Conditional Use Permits 17.76 X
Design Review – If 17.80 X
Required by a Specific
Plan or Conditions of
Approval
Development Permits –
Major
Residential
Single-family housing – 17.92 X
Subdivision
Multifamily Housing (2 17.92; 17.08.140; X (X)
to 4 units) 17.08.270 to
17.08.290
Multifamily Housing (5 17.92; 17.08.140; X
units or more) 17.08.270 to
17.08.290
Commercial, Industrial,
and Institutional

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Table 17.64.01
REVIEW AUTHORITY
Applicable Code Planning City
Type of Application Section Director Commission Council
New Construction on 17.92 X
Vacant Lot
All Other 17.92 X
Improvements, other
than those listed above
subject Zoning
Compliance/Approval
Recycling Facilities 17.92 X
Final Maps 16.20 X
General Plan 17.112 X
Interpretations
Reversions to Acreage2 16.20.120 X
Sign Program 17.44 X
Tentative Parcel Maps 16.20 X
Variances 17.140 X
Legislative
Development Agreements 17.84 X
General Plan Amendments 17.100 3 X
(X)
Planned Development 17.36 3 X
(X)
Districts
Specific Plans 17.128 3 X
(X)
Surface Mining and Land 17.132 3 X
(X)
Reclamation
Tentative Tract Maps 16.24, 16.28 3 X
(X)
Zoning Ordinance 17.88 3 X
(X)
Amendments

Notes:

• 1 The Director has the authority to refer Director level approval application to the Planning Commission.

• 2 The merger of four or fewer parcels is subject to approval by the City Engineer, pursuant to Section 16.20.100.

• 3 The Planning Commission recommends to the City Council for final determination.

(Prior code § 159.31.010; Ord. 7126-2-20)

• A. CEQA Compliance. Environmental compliance pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act shall be approved or denied by the person/board who has “review authority” pursuant to Table 17.64.01, as may be amended. For development projects that do not need to go to Planning Commission or City Council, those development projects shall be approved or denied by the person having “review authority.” Any approval or denial of environmental review can be appealed pursuant to Chapter 17.104, “Hearings and Appeals,” of the Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code.

• B. Multiple-Permit Applications. Development projects that require the filing of more than one land use permit application may file all related permits concurrently and pay appropriate fees. Processing and environmental review may be concurrent. The final decision on the project shall be made by the highest level of review authority.

• (Prior code § 159.31.020; Ord. 7302-16-21)

Applicants and/or their representatives may request a pre-application conference with the Department prior to formal submittal of a single land use permit application. Development projects involving multiple permit applications shall require a pre-application conference. This conference should take place prior to any substantial investment (i.e., land acquisition, site, engineering and construction plans) in the preparation of the proposed development project application. During the conference the Department representative(s) shall inform the applicant of applicable policies, plans, and requirements as they apply to the proposed development project, review the appropriate procedures outlined in this Zoning Ordinance, and examine possible alternatives or modifications relating to the proposed project. (Prior code § 159.31.030)

Any application submitted by an applicant for any permit, license or otherwise, under Title 17, shall be considered abandoned and of no force and effect if the applicant is inactive for 180 days. (Ord. 72410-6-20)