Chapter 17.515 — ZONING CLEARANCE — Westminster Zoning Code

§ 17.515.005. Purpose. ¶

The Zoning Clearance is a land use permit that is used by the Division to verify that a proposed structure, or land use activity complies with the list of permitted activities allowed in the applicable zoning district, the development standards applicable to the subject use, the National Pollution Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES) program, design guidelines manual and any conditions of approval of permits previously issued for the subject site. (Ord. 2478 § 2, 2011; Ord. 2490 § 2, 2012)

§ 17.515.010. Applicability. ¶

A. General Applicability. Zoning Clearance shall be required in conjunction with Division review of any building or grading permit, business tax certificate (business license), or other authorization required by the WMC or this Title or for any new use or change of use. Where no other authorization is required, (e.g., Building Permit) Zoning Clearance shall be obtained from the Division before the commencement of any business or land use activity. The Director has the discretion on a case-by-case basis to determine that an application is subject to Development Review and require noticing and/or defer the action to the Commission based on criteria including traffic, parking demand, building shade, shadow, scale, design and other potential impacts.
B. ADUs and JADUs. Any application for an ADU or JADU that meets the requirements of Section 17.400.135 shall be approved ministerially.
C. SB 9 Two-Unit Housing Development. Any application for a qualifying SB 9 two-unit housing development that meets the requirements of Section 17.400.122 shall be approved ministerially.
(Ord. 2478 § 2, 2011; Ord. 2490 § 2, 2012; Ord. 2563 § 5, 2019; Ord. 2572 § 5, 2021; Ord. 2580U § 10, 2022)

§ 17.515.015. Criteria for Clearance. ¶

The Director shall grant Zoning Clearance after determining the request complies with all of the applicable standards and provisions for the category of use in the zoning district of the subject parcel, in full compliance with this Title, other applicable Sections of the WMC, the National Pollution Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES) program and the Design Guidelines Manual. (Ord. 2478 § 2, 2011; Ord. 2490 § 2, 2012)