San Fernando Municipal Code Div. 1 Generally

The purpose of this article is to identify the bodies, officials, and administrators with designated responsibilities under various divisions of the zoning code. Subsequent divisions of article V provide detailed information on procedures, applications, and permits, including Code text and zoning map amendments, and enforcement. When carrying out their assigned duties and responsibilities, all bodies, administrators, and officials shall interpret and apply the provisions of this Code to implement the policies and achieve the objectives of the general plan.

(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)

The following table shows, for ease of reference, a brief summary of the permits and actions that are administered under this Code. The table is not regulatory. For complete regulations, procedures, and requirements, see divisions 2 through 14 of article V, Administration. For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) Ministerial. Review of plans to determine compliance with codified standards. An example of a ministerial action is the building division approving a building permit application.

(2) Discretionary quasi-judicial. Decisions made by administrative or executive officials or local boards and commissions that apply general rules or policies to specific circumstances. An example of a discretionary quasi-judicial action is the planning & preservation commission approving a conditional use permit for a drive-thru facility.

(3) Discretionary legislative. Decisions made by elected bodies and establish general rules or policies that have a wider impact. An example of a discretionary legislative action is the city council approving a general plan amendment.

TABLE 106-831: PLANNING PERMITS AND ACTIONS

(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)

(a) Applicant.

(1) The property owner(s) shall sign all applications.

(2) If the application is made by someone other than the owner, written proof, satisfactory to the director, of the right to act as the owner's agent or to use and possess the property as applied for, shall accompany the application.

(3) Written proof of authorization must be signed and dated by the property owner and expressly state what the agent is authorized to do on behalf of the owner.

(b) Forms and materials.

(1) Application forms. The director shall prepare and issue application forms and lists that specify the information that will be required from applicants for projects subject to the provisions of this Code.

(2) Supporting Materials. The director may require the submission of supporting materials as part of the application, including, but not limited to, operational statements, photographs, plans, drawings, renderings, models, material and color samples, and other items necessary to describe existing conditions on the project site and in the vicinity and the proposed project and to determine the level of environmental review pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act.

(3) Availability of materials. All materials submitted becomes the property of the city, may be distributed to the public, and shall be made available for public inspection. At any time, upon reasonable request, and during normal business hours, any person may examine an application and materials submitted in support of or in opposition to an application in the planning division offices. Unless prohibited by law, copies of such materials shall be made available at a reasonable cost.

(c) Application fees.

(1) Payment of application and processing fees. No application shall be accepted as complete and processed without payment in full of the required application and review fee per the master fee schedule.

(2) Multiple applications. The city's processing fees are in accordance with the adopted fee schedule. Cost savings may be incurred due to similar documents being prepared for a single project, such as CEQA review.

(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)

Except as required by state law, each application filed with the planning division shall be initially processed as follows:

(1) Completeness review. The division shall review an application for completeness and accuracy before it is accepted as being complete and officially filed. The division will consider an application complete when:

a. All necessary application forms, documentation, exhibits, materials, maps, plans, reports, and other information specified in the application form, any applicable division handout, or any additional information on standard checklists, forms, or documents required by the director have been provided and accepted as adequate; and

b. All necessary fees and deposits have been paid and accepted.

(2) Notification of applicant. The applicant shall receive written notification, within 30 days of submittal, that the application is complete and has been accepted for processing, or that the application is incomplete and that additional information, specified in the written notification, must be provided.

(3) Expiration of application. If a pending application is not deemed complete within six months after the first filing with the division, the application shall expire and be deemed withdrawn, and any remaining deposit amount shall be refunded, subject to administrative processing fees.

(4) Extension of application. The director may grant one six-month extension, upon written request of the applicant. After expiration of the application and extension, if granted, a new application, including fees, plans, exhibits and other materials, will be required to commence processing of a new project application on the same property.

(5) Additional information. After the application has been accepted as complete, the director may require the applicant to submit additional information needed for the environmental review of the project, in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act.

(6) Referral of application. At the discretion of the director, or where otherwise required by this title, state, or federal law, an application filed in compliance with this title may be referred to any public agency that may be affected by or have an interest in the proposed land use activity.

(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)