Mendocino County Municipal Code Ch. 2.52 Planning and Building Services Department

Pursuant to Section 65802 of the Government Code, the Subdivision Map Act (Division 2 of the Government Code) the State of California Environmental Quality Act and the provisions of the Uniform Building Code, the Department of Planning and Building Services is hereby created. The Department of Planning and Building Services shall constitute the agency responsible for administering and enforcing the zoning, subdivision and building codes of Mendocino County.

(Ord. No. 622, adopted 1970; Ord. No. 3401, adopted 1982.)

There is created a position to be known and designated as Planning and Building Services Director of the County of Mendocino. The Planning and Building Services Director shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure and will of the County Chief Executive Officer, and shall perform those duties and responsibilities assigned by the County Chief Executive Officer or assigned by the Board of Supervisors acting through the County Chief Executive Officer. The Planning and Building Services Director shall be the Executive Officer of the Planning and Building Services Department and shall administer all work of said department subject to the jurisdiction and control of the Board of Supervisors. The Planning and Building Services Director shall be a person qualified by training, experience, and demonstrated ability to manage the affairs of the Planning and Building Services Department. The Planning and Building Services Director shall also serve as Executive Officer and Secretary of the Planning Commission. Whenever the term "Director of Planning" is used in the Mendocino County Code, that term shall be deemed to mean the position of Planning and Building Services Director.

(Ord. No. 622, adopted 1970; Ord. No. 3397, adopted 1982; Ord. No. 4153, adopted 2005.)

There is hereby created and established within the Mendocino County Department of Planning and Building Services, the Division of Permit Processing and the Division of Permit Compliance.

(Ord. No. 3401, adopted 1982.)

The Director of Planning and Building Services shall be, ex officio, the Zoning Administrator for the County. The Office of Zoning Administrator shall be exempted from the Civil Service System. The Director of Planning and Building Services may designate a deputy to the Director of Planning and Building Services to act in the name of the Zoning Administrator.

(Ord. No. 1364, adopted 1974; Ord. No. 3401, adopted 1982.)

The Director of Planning and Building Services shall be, ex officio, the Coastal Permit Administrator for the unincorporated area of the Coastal Zone within the County. The Director of Planning and Building Services may designate a deputy to the Director of Planning and Building Services to act in the name of the Coastal Permit Administrator.

(Ord. No. 3786, adopted 1991.)

(A) Pursuant to California Penal Code Section 836.5, any person holding a position in the Mendocino County Planning and Building Department as Director, Chief Building Inspector, Chief Planner or Code Enforcement Officer, is authorized to arrest and issue citations for any person whom there is reasonable cause to believe has committed a misdemeanor or infraction in the official's presence, which is a violation of any statute, ordinance or code relating to the enforcement of building or zoning regulations.

(B) Those officials granted arrest and citation authority pursuant to this Section may sign and certify proof of correction on a citation issued for violations of Mendocino County building or zoning codes that have been corrected prior to the court appearance date.

(C) Those officials granted arrest and citation authority pursuant to this Section shall have that authority only in the performance of their duties during their regular work hours or at the direction of the Director of Planning and Building Services Department.

(D) This Section is notwithstanding other Mendocino County Code sections which provide that violations may also be redressed by civil action through the Office of County Counsel.

(Ord. No. 3784, adopted 1991.)

Upon request, all public officers shall furnish to the Department of Planning and Building Services within a reasonable time such available information as may be required for the work of the department. The Department of Planning and Building Services shall furnish, upon request, to County officials, within a reasonable time, such available information as may be required for the work of the respected County officials.

(Ord. No. 622, adopted 1970; Ord. No. 3401, adopted 1982; Ord. No. 3406, adopted 1982.)

The Department of Planning and Building Services shall charge for its services to the public those fees which are specifically authorized by resolution of the Board of Supervisors, provided, however, that whenever the Board of Supervisors reasonably determines that it would be inequitable to charge a fee or to require a fee in the amount designated, such fee may be waived or reduced.

(Ord. No. 997, adopted 1970; Ord. No. 3401, adopted 1982; Ord. No. 3406, adopted 1982.)