§ 17.92.060. Zoning permits.

A zoning permit may be approved for any of the uses for which zoning permits are required by this division, as set forth herein.

A.

An application for a zoning permit shall be made in writing on a form prescribed by the director of resource management, and shall be accompanied by the following:

1.

A clear and concise description of the use and accompanying activities;

2.

Plans, maps and other documents showing the details of the proposed use, building, or facilities;

3.

Information demonstrating compliance with the criteria applicable to the proposed use;

4.

A statement signed by the property owner, and applicant if different than the property owner, acknowledging any criteria and limitations applicable to the proposed use, and agreeing to abide by said criteria and limitations.

B.

No application shall be accepted unless and until all fees, the application form and related information are received by the planning division.

C.

The director of resource management shall consider approval of the application after the application is accepted. The decision on the application is ministerial and public notice is not required.

1.

If the director of resource management determines that the proposed use appears to meet all criteria applicable to the proposed use, the director shall approve the zoning permit.

2.

If the director of resource management determines that the proposed use does not meet all criteria applicable to the proposed use, the director shall deny the application.

3.

The director of resource management may refer any zoning permit proposal to the planning commission for a decision when it is determined that the nature of the project, or the existence of a policy question, requires such referral. If a decision to approve or deny the permit application requires the exercise of substantial discretion, then the application shall be referred to the planning commission for a decision following a noticed public hearing. The planning division may require the payment of an additional fee to cover the cost of such referral, as established by the board of supervisors.

D.

If the director of resource management denies the zoning permit, the owner or applicant may appeal to the planning commission. If the planning commission denies the zoning permit, the owner or applicant may appeal to the board of supervisors. Such appeals shall follow the same procedures applicable to variance and use permit appeals.

E.

Every zoning permit issued under this section is revocable. Whenever the director of resource management determines that one or more grounds exist for revocation of a zoning permit, the planning commission may set the matter for hearing before it by resolution of intention to revoke the zoning permit. The provisions of this title governing the revocation and abandonment of variances and use permits and all references to use permits in those provisions shall be deemed to be references to zoning permits.

F.

Every zoning permit expires and is automatically null and void without further action by the county if the activity or use for which the zoning permit was granted has not been actively and substantially commenced within two years of the date of its approval.

G.

The director of resource management may extend the time for commencement of the use or activity during the two years following approval of the zoning permit, if an application for an extension of time is made to the planning division prior to the expiration of the zoning permit. The decision on the application for an extension of time is ministerial and public notice is not required. An extension of time shall be approved if the permittee shows reasonable cause for the extension. Reasonable cause exists if the applicant shows that circumstances beyond his control have prevented him from taking sufficient action. A decision to deny the extension of time application may be appealed by the permittee to the planning commission under the provisions of Section 17.92.030, but a public hearing is not required on the appeal.

H.

The time limitations imposed under subsections F and G of this section shall not include any period during which litigation is actively pursued challenging the validity of the approval of a zoning permit.

I.

The holder of a zoning permit may surrender it to the planning division at any time and thereafter shall cease to engage in, operate or maintain the use.

J.

For the purposes of this section, the terms "director of resource management" and "director" shall mean the director of resource management or designees.

(Ord. 95-3 § 101, 1995)