Chapter 21.52 — ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITY
Fountain Valley Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Fountain Valley
Sections in this part
§ 21.52.010. Purpose. ¶
This chapter describes the authority and responsibilities of the council, commission, department, planning director and city staff in the administration of this title. (Ord. 1308 § 5, 2000)
§ 21.52.020. Planning agency defined. ¶
As provided by state law, the council, planning commission, planning director and planning department shall perform the functions of a planning agency. (Ord. 1308 § 5, 2000)
§ 21.52.030. City council. ¶
The council, in matters related to the city's planning process, shall perform the duties and functions prescribed in this title, which include the following:
(1) Review Authority on Specified Planning Matters. Final decisions on development agreements, title amendments, general plan amendments, specific plans, zoning map amendments and other applicable policy or ordinance matters related to the city's planning process;
(2) Appeals. The review of appeals filed from commission decisions; and
(3) Compliance. The above listed functions shall be performed in compliance with Section 21.32.020 (Authority for land use and zoning decisions) of this title, Table 4-1 (Review Authority), the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and the city's environmental review procedures.
(Ord. 1308 § 5, 2000)
§ 21.52.040. Planning commission. ¶
(a) Appointment. The appointment, terms, removal and the filing of vacancies of the commissioners shall be in compliance with Section 2.76.030 of this code.
(b) Duties and Authority. The commission shall perform the duties and functions prescribed by state law and this title, including the following:
(1) The review of development projects;
(2) The recommendation, to the council for final decisions, on development agreements, title amendments, environmental documents, general plan amendments, specific plans, zoning map amendments and other applicable policy or ordinance matters related to the city's planning process;
(3) The investigation and preparation of an annual report to the council regarding the status of the general plan and progress in its implementation in compliance with state law; and
(4) The above listed functions shall be performed in compliance with Section 21.32.020 (Authority for land use and zoning decisions), Table 4-1 (Review Authority), the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the city's environmental review procedures.
(Ord. 1308 § 5, 2000)
§ 21.52.050. Planning director. ¶
(a) Appointment. The planning director shall be appointed by the city manager in compliance with Section 2.76.101 of this code.
(b) Duties and Authority. The director shall:
(1) Have the responsibility to perform all of the functions designated by state law;
(2) Perform the duties and functions prescribed in this title, including the review of administrative development projects, in compliance with Section 21.32.020 (Authority for land use and zoning decisions) of this title, Table 4-1 (Review Authority), state law, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the city's environmental review procedures;
(3) Perform other responsibilities assigned by the council, commission and city manager;
(4) Delegate the responsibilities of the director to department staff under the supervision of the director; and
(5) Serve in an advisory capacity, in compliance with state law (Map Act Section 66415). The director is charged with the responsibility of making investigations and reports on the
design and improvement of proposed divisions of real property. (Ord. 1308 § 5, 2000)
§ 21.52.060. Development and environmental review committee (DERC). ¶
(a) Membership. The development and environmental review committee (DERC) shall be composed of the following city administrators:
(1) The director;
(2) Fire chief/building services manager;
(3) The public works director;
(b) Authority. The development and environmental review committee (DERC) shall have the authority to:
(1) Review development projects for compliance with the title;
(2) Review development applications for completeness;
(3) Determine the level of CEQA review (i.e., exempt, negative declaration or EIR).
(Ord. 1308 § 5, 2000)
§ 21.52.070. Minor variance committee. ¶
(a) Membership. The minor variance committee shall be composed of the following city administrators:
(1) The director;
(2) The superintendent of building and safety; and
(3) The public works director.
(b) Authority. The minor variance committee shall have the authority to review, approve or disapprove minor variances, in compliance with Chapter 21.50 (Variances) of this title. The committee may also defer action on minor variance applications and refer the item(s) to the commission for the final decision.
(Ord. 1308 § 5, 2000)
§ 21.52.080. Sign committee. ¶
(a) Membership. The sign committee shall be composed of the following:
(1) Two commission members appointed by the commission; and
(2) The director.
(b) Authority. The sign committee shall have the authority to review, approve or disapprove signs permits and master sign programs.
(Ord. 1308 § 5, 2000)
Chapter 21.54. ENTITLEMENT IMPLEMENTATION, TIME LIMITS AND EXTENSIONS
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Ask AI about this code▸ Contents — Fountain Valley Zoning Code
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▸ Title 21 — Development Code
Overview- Chapter 21.01 — ENACTMENT AND APPLICABILITY OF TITLE
- Chapter 21.02 — INTERPRETATION OF TITLE PROVISIONS
- Chapter 21.04 — ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONING DISTRICTS—ADOPTION OF …
- Chapter 21.06 — DEVELOPMENT AND LAND USE APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
- Chapter 21.08 — RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS
- Chapter 21.10 — COMMERCIAL AND MANUFACTURING ZONING DISTRICTS
- Chapter 21.12 — SPECIAL PURPOSE ZONING DISTRICTS
- Chapter 21.14 — OVERLAY ZONING DISTRICTS
- Chapter 21.15 — MIXED-USE ZONING DISTRICTS
- Chapter 21.16 — GENERAL PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
- Chapter 21.17 — INCLUSIONARY HOUSING PROGRAM
- Chapter 21.18 — GENERAL PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT AND USE STANDARDS
- Chapter 21.20 — LANDSCAPING
- Chapter 21.22 — PARKING AND LOADING
- Chapter 21.24 — SIGNS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY
- Chapter 21.25 — SIGNS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY
- Chapter 21.26 — TRIP REDUCTION AND TRAVEL DEMAND MANAGEMENT
- Chapter 21.28 — WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS
- Chapter 21.29 — GROUP HOMES
- Chapter 21.30 — STANDARDS FOR SPECIFIC LAND USES
- Chapter 21.32 — APPLICATIONS, PROCESSING AND FEES
- Chapter 21.34 — AMENDMENTS
- Chapter 21.36 — CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS
- Chapter 21.38 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
- Chapter 21.39 — DEVELOPER MITIGATION FEES
- Chapter 21.40 — DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
- Chapter 21.42 — HOME OCCUPATION PERMITS
- Chapter 21.44 — PRECISE PLAN OF DESIGN
- Chapter 21.46 — SPECIFIC PLANS
- Chapter 21.48 — TEMPORARY USE PERMITS
- Chapter 21.50 — VARIANCES
- Chapter 21.56 — NONCONFORMING USES, STRUCTURES AND PARCELS
- Chapter 21.58 — PUBLIC HEARINGS
- Chapter 21.60 — APPEALS
- Chapter 21.62 — REVOCATIONS AND MODIFICATIONS
- Chapter 21.64 — ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS
- Chapter 21.66 — APPLICABILITY AND ADMINISTRATION OF SUBDIVISIO…
- Chapter 21.68 — SUBDIVISION DESIGN AND IMPROVEMENT REQUIREMENTS
- Chapter 21.70 — TENTATIVE MAP FILING AND PROCESSING
- Chapter 21.72 — PARCEL MAPS AND FINAL MAPS
- Chapter 21.74 — CONDOMINIUMS AND CONDOMINIUM CONVERSIONS
- Chapter 21.76 — LOT LINE ADJUSTMENTS AND PARCEL MERGERS
- Chapter 21.78 — DEDICATIONS, EXACTIONS AND MITIGATION FEES
- Chapter 21.79 — PARKLAND DEDICATIONS, RESERVATIONS AND FEES
- Chapter 21.80 — IMPROVEMENT PLANS AND AGREEMENTS
- Chapter 21.82 — SURVEYS AND MONUMENTS
- Chapter 21.84 — CONDITIONS, COVENANTS OR RESTRICTIONS
- Chapter 21.90 — DEFINITIONS/GLOSSARY