Sonoma County Municipal Code Art. 10 Permit Review Procedures

This article provides procedures for the final review and approval or disapproval of the permit applications required by this chapter.

(Ord. No. 6338, § II(Exh. B), 3-16-2021)

The approval of a permit application and issuance of a construction grading or drainage permit by the director shall occur as follows:

A. Criteria for approval. The director may approve a permit application and issue a construction grading or drainage permit when the following requirements are satisfied:

1. Ministerial permit application. A ministerial permit application shall be approved and a ministerial construction grading or drainage permit issued when the director determines that the proposed construction grading or drainage complies with all applicable requirements of this chapter, all other applicable requirements of this code, and the requirements of any applicable county land use approvals.

2. Discretionary permit application. A discretionary permit application may be approved and a discretionary construction grading or drainage permit issued when the director determines that:

a. There are special circumstances or conditions affecting the site that make the strict application of the standards in Article 14 impractical;

b. The requested relief from the standards in Article 14 is consistent with the purpose of this chapter and does not diminish the health, safety, and environmental protection benefits that would be obtained from the strict application of the standards in Article 14;

c. The proposed construction grading or drainage complies with all applicable requirements of this chapter, except for those modified by the permit, all other applicable requirements of this code, and the requirements of any applicable county land use approvals.

B. Permit conditions. In approving a discretionary permit application, the director may impose any conditions deemed reasonable and necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare; prevent adverse environmental impacts or the creation of hazards to property; and ensure proper completion of the work.

C. Permit holder. A construction grading or drainage permit shall be issued to the property owner or an easement holder.

D. Effect of permit and approved plans and specifications.

1. Compliance with plans and specifications required. All work for which a construction grading or drainage permit is issued shall be done in compliance with the approved plans and specifications and the recommendations of required reports. The approved plans and specifications shall not be changed without the written approval of the director.

2. Modifications. Proposed modifications to the approved plans and specifications shall be submitted to the director in writing, together with all necessary technical information and design details. A proposed modification shall be approved only if the director determines that the modification complies with all applicable requirements of this chapter, all other applicable requirements of this code, and the requirements of any applicable county land use approvals.

E. Distribution and use of approved plans and specifications. The director shall retain one (1) or more sets of approved and dated plans and specifications for inspection and record keeping. Two (2) sets of approved and dated plans and specifications shall be provided to the permittee. The permittee shall maintain one (1) set of approved and dated plans and specifications and the permit on the site at all times during the work.

(Ord. No. 6338, § II(Exh. B), 3-16-2021)