Humboldt County Municipal Code § 312-6 Processing Applications for Permits and Variances

Upon receipt of an application for a permit or variance, the application shall be processed by the Planning and Building Department as follows:

accuracy before the applications are accepted and officially filed as complete. (Former Section CZ#A315-6(C)(1))

not complete and sends the applicant notification of such finding by mail within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of the application. If the application is determined to be incomplete, the Department shall specify those parts of the application which are incomplete and shall indicate what is required for them to be considered complete. (Former Section CZ#A315-6(C)(1); Amended by Ord. 2214, 6/6/00; See also, Government Code Sec. 65943)

Design Review Committee, State or Federal agency, or other individual or group that the Department believes may have relevant authority or expertise. Along with the referral, the Department shall include notification that, if the Department does not receive a response within ten (10) working days, the Department will assume that no recommendations or comments are forthcoming. It should be noted that, even if responses are not received within the requested time limit, Federal and State law may require consideration of the comments. (Former Section CZ#A315-6(C)(1); Amended by Ord. 2214, 6/6/00)

that the information requested by the Department to complete the application is not required by this division, the applicant may request, in writing, that the application be processed to the designated Hearing Officer as submitted. Upon receipt of such written request, the Department shall schedule the application for a hearing before the Hearing Officer within 30 working days. (Former Section CZ#A315- 6(C)(1); Amended by Ord. 2214, 6/6/ 00)

application, it will be deemed withdrawn. A new application may be made subject to the filing of fees in accordance with subsection 312-5.2, Application Form and Filing Fee. (Former Section CZ#A315-6(C)(1))

review of the project, as required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and shall study the project for conformance with all applicable requirements of these regulations. (Former Section CZ#A315-6(C)(2))

agencies or individuals who received copies of the application during the application check (see, subsection 312-6.1, Application Check), or other individual/group that the Department believes may have relevant authority or expertise. (Former Section CZ#A315-6(C)(2); Amended by Ord. 2214, 6/6/00)

Following project review of applications requiring a public hearing, the written report prepared by the Director, or designee, shall be mailed or delivered to the Hearing Officer and the applicant. Public notice shall be given in accordance with Section 312-8, Public Notice Procedures. Public hearings shall be held as required by Section 312-9, Public Hearing Requirements and Authorized Hearing Officer. (Former Section CZ#A315-6(C)(3))

coastal development permit if within the Coastal Zone. In the Coastal Zone, notice of an application for a coastal development permit for an ADU, where no public hearing is required, must be given in accordance with Sections 312-8.1 and 312-8.2.

particularly evidence about the Findings required by this Code. (See, Section 312-17, Required Findings.) (Former Section INL#317-24, 317-34, 317-40.5; Ord. 946, Sec. 4, 10/2/73; Added by Ord. 1726, Sec. 4, 3/4/86; Amended by Ord. 2214, 6/6/00)

(Former Section INL#317-24, 317-34, 317-40.5; Ord. 946, Sec. 4, 10/2/73; Added by Ord. 1726, Sec. 4, 3/4/86)

(Former Section INL#317-25, 317-35; Ord. 1007, Sec. 1, 11/9/76; Amended by Ord. 1418, Sec. 1, Sec. 2, 8/26/80)

approve permit applications which meet all requirements of the Zoning Ordinance and shall deny permit applications which cannot meet all requirements of the Zoning Ordinance.

proposed project in accordance with the particular requirements of this Code as they apply to the project, and in accordance with the required findings of this Code. (See Sections 312-17, Required Findings for All Permits and Variances, and Sections 312-18 through 312-49, supplemental findings.) The Hearing Officer’s decision shall be expressed in writing. (Former Section INL#317-25, 317-35, 317-40.6; CZ#A315-6(C)(4); Ord. 1007, Sec. 1, 11/9/76; Amended by Ord. 1418, Sec. 1, Sec. 2, 8/26/80; added by Ord. 1726, Sec. 4, 3/4/86; Amended by Ord. 2214, 6/6/00)

the conclusion of the hearing, it shall be deemed to be denied on that date. The decision of the Hearing Officer on all permits and variances shall become final ten (10) working days from the date of the decision, unless an appeal has been filed within that time. Appeals on subdivisions that require a Coastal Development Permit shall be filed within ten (10) calendar days of the decision of the Hearing Officer. (Former Section INL#317-25, 317-35, 317-40.6; CZ#A315-6(C)(4); Ord. 1007, Sec. 1, 11/9/76; Amended by Ord. 1418, Sec. 1, Sec. 2, 8/26/80; added by Ord. 1726, Sec. 4, 3/4/86; Amended by Ord. 2214, 6/6/00)

appeal procedures of Section 312-13. (Former Section CZ#A315- 6(C)(4))

Supervisors will not hear appeals of the Planning Commission’s or Zoning Administrator’s decision if said appellant has not given written or oral testimony at the Planning Commission or the Zoning Administrator’s hearing level. (From Hearing Policy adopted by the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors, 6/16/81; Added by Ord. 2214, 6/6/00)

regulations applicable to the permitted development and all conditions that may have been imposed on the project. (Former Section CZ#A315-6(C)(5))

(from all applicable jurisdictional agencies) that the development for which the permit or variance is sought complies with the applicable rules, policies and standards of their respective jurisdiction. (Former Section CZ#A315-6(C)(5))

Notice of decision on an application for a permit or variance shall be given as follows: (Former Section CZ#A315-13(A-E))

permit or Hearing Officer’s action on any discretionary permit. (Former Section CZ#A315-13(A-E); Amended by Ord. 2214, 6/6/00)

the recipient does not have access to electronic mail:

6.7.4.3 Procedures for appeal, if applicable. (Ord. 2717, § 2, 6/27/2023; Ord. 2734, § 4, 3/5/2024; Ord. 2769, § 3, 9/23/2025)