Watsonville Municipal Code Art. 7 Community Development Department

A Community Development Department is hereby established. The functions of the Community Development Department shall include the following:

(a) To provide the City Manager with staff assistance of a technical nature pertaining to development matters and to present information and recommendations to the Council;

(b) To provide staff support to the Planning Commission, Council, and Redevelopment Agency on regional planning and policy;

(c) To implement the essential functions of the Community Development Department as contained in the Watsonville Municipal Code, generally covering the following areas of: planning, building, and development engineering.

(d) To maintain and update the City’s General Plan, including State-mandated changes;

(e) To function as the City’s environmental and accessibility coordinators;

(f) To assist the public in all department functions with advice and guidance on the development and use of property within the requirements of applicable State and local laws and the City’s General Plan;

(g) To cooperate with other departments and agencies in gathering and disseminating information on public and private projects involving the betterment and improvement of the City;

(h) To assist the City Manager, City Attorney, and department heads in the preparation of legislative matters for the consideration of the Council;

(i) To process all development-related applications;

(j) To issue building permits and conduct required inspections;

(k) To enforce and apply uniform building codes adopted or applicable in Watsonville, including Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, and the various Watsonville Municipal Code sections pertaining to new construction, rehabilitation, and code enforcement in response to citizen complaints and where deemed a potential impact to public health, safety, and welfare.

(§ 1, Ord. 1132-02 C-M, eff. June 13, 2002)

There shall be a Community Development Director who shall be appointed by, and be responsible to, the City Manager. The Community Development Director, subject to the approval of the City Manager, shall organize and maintain the Community Development Department as, in the Community Development Director’s judgment, the operations may require and shall be responsible for the direction and control of all functions assigned to the Community Development Department.

(§ 1, Ord. 1132-02 C-M, eff. June 13, 2002)

The City Manager may appoint an Assistant Community Development Director. The Assistant Community Development Director shall, in the event of absence or disability of the Community Development Director, exercise such powers and shall have such responsibilities.

(§ 1, Ord. 1132-02 C-M, eff. June 13, 2002)

Upon the absence or disability of the Community Development Director and the Assistant Community Development Director, such other officer of the City who may be designated by the City Manager shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Community Development Director.

(§ 1, Ord. 1132-02 C-M, eff. June 13, 2002)

The Assistant Community Development Director may be designated as the City’s Building Official and upon such appointment perform all duties requisite to the title as defined by the State statute and local ordinances.

(§ 1, Ord. 1132-02 C-M, eff. June 13, 2002)