Chapter 17.12 — PROCEDURES FOR APPEALS

Sections:

• 17.12.010 Purpose. 17.12.020 Procedure.

This chapter establishes procedures for appeals of determinations and decisions rendered by the community development director and the planning commission. (Ord. 23-4 § 5 (Exh. A))

A. Filing an Appeal. Any applicant or other interested person dissatisfied with any action taken under this title may appeal such action and decision, in compliance with the following provisions:

1. Appeals from the decision of the community development director or any other administrative official in taking any of the actions authorized by this title shall be made to the planning commission through the community development director, unless otherwise indicated.

2. Appeals from the decision of the planning commission in taking any of the actions authorized by this title shall be made to the city council through the city clerk.

• B. Fourteen (14) Day Appeal Period.

  1. All appeals shall be made in writing and be accompanied by the appropriate fee, in accordance with the provisions of Section 17.04.030, Fees, unless otherwise indicated.

2. Appeals must be received by the community development director or city clerk not later than fourteen (14) calendar days following the date of action from which such appeal is being taken. If the fourteenth calendar day is a weekend or a city holiday, the deadline will be extended to the next working day of the city.

The St. Helena Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 26-4, passed May 12, 2026.

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3. No appeal is allowed or shall be heard, and the decision shall be final, after the lapse of the fourteen (14) day appeal period.

4. The appeal period shall commence the day following the date of action or decision.

• C. Appeal Letter. The letter of appeal must state:

  1. The specific action being appealed;

  2. The action which the appellant requests the planning commission or city council to take;

  3. The reason for the appeal; and

  4. The name, address, and telephone number of the appellant or contact person if there are multiple appellants.

D. Appeal Review. Within three working days of receipt of the appeal, the community development director or city clerk shall examine the appeal and, if it is found to be incomplete, return it by certified mail to the appellant for revision. Appellant shall have five working days to file an amended appeal. Upon failure to file an amended appeal within the five days, the appeal shall be deemed withdrawn.

E. Receipt of Appeal. The receipt of a written appeal shall stay all actions or put all permits or other discretionary approvals that may have been granted in suspension, pending the effective date of the approval authority hearing the appeal.

• F. Motion for Appeal.

1. The planning commission or the city council may, by motion adopted by majority vote, initiate an appeal on that approval authority body’s behalf. A motion for appeal must be passed within fourteen (14) days following rendering of the decision appealed; provided, however, that if no regularly scheduled meeting of the planning commission or city council occurs within such fourteen (14) day time period, the time for such appeal shall be extended through the date of the next succeeding regularly scheduled meeting. No grounds for appeal need be stated nor must a letter of appeal be submitted.

2. Appeals shall be scheduled for the earliest regular meeting of the hearing body, not less than ten (10) days or more than sixty (60) days after the date of filing a complete appeal application or passing a motion for appeal, consistent with the agenda preparation procedures and schedule of the hearing body.

3. All appeals shall be considered in a public hearing if a public hearing was required for the decision appealed, consistent with the procedures set forth in Chapter 17.04, Common Procedures. All approval authorities hearing appeals shall consider the project in its entirety, or de novo. The planning commission or the city council may affirm, reverse, or modify the decision appealed as deemed just and equitable, provided such action is not contrary to any provisions set forth in this title. (Ord. 23-4 § 5 (Exh. A))

The St. Helena Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 26-4, passed May 12, 2026.

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Title 17 Zoning Code | St. Helena Municipal Code