Porterville Municipal Code § 602.03 Procedures

This article establishes procedures for conducting zoning conformance review to ensure that each new or expanded use or structure complies with the applicable requirements of this chapter. Having made such determination, the zoning administrator shall establish a record of the zoning conformance approval that document the initial establishment of a use, or the construction of a structure, which is allowed as a matter of right. (Ord. 1801, 12-3-2013)

Zoning conformance approval is required for buildings, structures, or signs erected, constructed, altered, repaired or moved, the use of vacant land, changes in the character of the use of land or building, or for substantial expansions in the use of land or building, which are allowed as a matter of right by this chapter. (Ord. 1801, 12-3-2013)

Prior to obtaining any business license, building permit, subdivision approval, or lot line adjustment, the applicant shall request the zoning administrator to determine whether the use, building, or change in lot configuration complies with all provisions of this chapter or any conditional use permit or variance approval issued pursuant to the ordinance's requirements and that all conditions of such permits and approvals have been satisfied. The following requirements apply to such determinations:

A. Application: Applications and fees for zoning conformance review shall be submitted in accordance with the provisions set forth in section 601.02, "Application Forms And Fees", of this series. The zoning administrator may request that the application be accompanied by plans and related materials necessary to show that the proposed development, alteration, or use of the property complies with all provisions of this chapter and the requirements and conditions of any applicable conditional use permit or variance approval.

B. Determination: The zoning administrator shall determine whether the development ordinance allows the proposed uses or structures by right.

C. Exceptions: No zoning certificate shall be required for the continuation of previously approved or permitted uses and structures, uses and structures that are not subject to any building or zoning regulations, or other uses or buildings already subject to conditional use permits, variances, or other discretionary approvals in the district in which they are located. (Ord. 1801, 12-3-2013)

Requests for interpretations of this chapter, verifications of zoning regulations, or verifications related to previous permits shall be made in writing to the zoning administrator. Requests shall be accompanied by payment of fees established in the city's adopted fee schedule. The zoning administrator shall provide a zoning administrator determination in writing within thirty (30) days of a complete submittal. (Ord. 1801, 12-3-2013)