The purpose of this chapter is to provide a process for the administrative review of certain applications to ensure they meet the intent of the General Plan and this title, but do not require review by the Planning Commission. (Ord. 5920 1 (part); June 8, 2004: Ord. 6206 § 1; April 12, 2011.)

   An administrative approval is required for the following activities:

   .065   Urban Lot Split - see Section 18.62.110; and

   Planning and Building Director. The Planning and Building Director is the approval authority for the following requests:

   .020   Types of Adjustments. Administrative adjustments may be approved or conditionally approved by the Planning Director in the following matters:

      .0201   Dimensional requirements for front setbacks: up to twenty percent (20%).

      .0202   Parking requirements:

         .01   A deviation of 20% or less from the requirements of section 18.42.040 (Non-Residential Parking Requirements) may be processed subject to either a parking justification letter or a shared parking permit pursuant to the provisions of Section 18.42.120 (Shared Parking Permits), as determined by the Planning and Building Director.

         .02   A deviation of up to 50% for a hotel or motel within the Disneyland Resort Specific Plan No. 92-1 (SP 92-1) Zone, the Anaheim Resort Specific Plan No. 92-1 (SP 92-2) Zone, Hotel Circle Specific Plan No. 93-1 (SP 93-1) and Arena and Transit Districts of the Platinum Triangle Mixed Use (PTMU) Overlay Zone that incorporates dedicated parking and loading for Transportation Network Company vehicles.

      .0203   Maximum wall and fence height increases to eight (8) feet within required side, rear, or interior setbacks in Single-Family Residential Zones subject to the required findings of Section 18.74.060.

      .0204   All other dimensional or percentage limitations or requirements of this Title, except residential floor area: a maximum deviation of ten percent (10%).

      .0205   Maximum height requirements for fences, walls, hedges and berms in any required structural setback or yard in any non-residential zone separating any non-residential from an adjacent residential zone where the additional height is required to minimize negative impacts to the residential use.

      .0206   Reconstruction of structures accessory to historic residences in conformance with subsection 18.56.040.060.

      .0207   Garage location and access requirements.

      .0208   Maximum area of allowable wall signs subject to the limitations of Section 18.44.110.010 (Wall Signs and Other Types of Signs): a deviation of up to twenty percent (20%) may be approved by the Planning Director.

   .070   Decision. The decision of the Planning Director on an administrative adjustment becomes final unless appealed pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 18.60 (Procedures). (Ord. 5920 1 (part); June 8, 2004: Ord. 6031 § 54; August 22, 2006: Ord. 6101 § 57; April 22, 2008: Ord. 6156 § 37; September 22, 2009: Ord. 6209 § 2; May 3, 2011: Ord. 6245 §§ 87, 88; June 5, 2012: Ord. 6399 § 6; March 7, 2017: Ord. 6425 § 26; December 19, 2017: Ord. 6461 § 26; April 16, 2019: Ord. 6473 § 39; December 3, 2019: Ord. 6526 § 33; February 15, 2022: Ord. 6538 § 6; October 4, 2022: Ord. 6555 § 65; April 4, 2023: Ord. 6601 § 30; January 14, 2025: Ord. 6620 § 59; January 13, 2026.)

   This section sets forth the procedures for processing an application for a telecommunications antenna review permit, when such a permit is required by Section 18.38.060 (Antennas – Telecommunications) of Chapter 18.38 (Supplemental Use Regulations).

   .010   Application. An application, on a form approved by the Planning Director, for a telecommunications antenna review permit shall be filed with the Planning Department.

   .020   Site Plan Review. If the Planning Director determines that additional information and review is needed, he or she may require a final plan review.

   .030   Criteria. The criteria for approval of a telecommunications antenna review permit are set forth in Section 18.38.060 (Antennas – Telecommunications) of Chapter 18.38 (Supplemental Use Regulations).

   .040   Issuance or Denial of Permit. If the Planning Director determines that all provisions of Section 18.38.060 (Antennas – Telecommunications) of Chapter 18.38 (Supplemental Use Regulations) and the provisions of this section are, or will be, complied with, and all other necessary permits have been obtained, a permit shall be issued; otherwise, the application shall be denied.

   .050   Permit Fee. A fee may be charged per Chapter 18.80 (Fees).

   .060   Decision. The decision of the Planning Director is final, unless appealed to the Planning Commission within ten (10) days after the date the decision is made. (Ord. 5920 § 1 (part); June 8, 2004: Ord. 6156 § 39; September 22, 2009.)

   This section sets forth the procedures for processing an application for a Wayfinding Sign Program Permit, when such a permit is allowed pursuant Section 18.44.185 (Residential Wayfinding Signs) of Chapter 18.44 (Signs).

   .010   Application. An application, on a form approved by the Planning Director, for a Wayfinding Sign Program Permit shall be filed with the Planning Department.

   .020   Criteria. The criteria for approval of a wayfinding sign program permit are set forth in Section 18.44.185 (Residential Wayfinding Signs) of Chapter 18.44 (Signs).

   .030   Issuance or Denial of Permit. If the Planning Director determines that all provisions of Section 18.44.185 (Residential Wayfinding Signs) of Chapter 18.44 (Signs) and the provisions of this section are, or will be, complied with, and that all other necessary permits have or will be obtained, a permit shall be issued; otherwise, the application shall be denied.

   .040   Revocation of Permit. Any violation of the provisions set forth in Section 18.44.185 (Residential Wayfinding Signs) may be considered cause to revoke a permit issued under the provisions of this section.

   .050   Permit Fee. A fee may be charged per Chapter 18.80 (Fees).

   .060   Decision. The decision of the Planning Director is final, unless appealed to the Planning Commission within ten (10) days after the date the decision is made. (Ord. 6137 § 5: April 14, 2009: Ord. 6169 § 7; April 27, 2010.)

   This section sets forth the procedures to request reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities seeking equal access to housing under the Federal Housing Act and the California Fair Employment and Housing Acts (the Acts) in the application of zoning laws and other land use regulations, policies and procedures.

   .010   Applicability.

      .0101   A request for reasonable accommodation may be made by any person with a disability, their representative or any entity, when the application of a zoning law or other land use regulation, policy or practice acts as a barrier to fair housing opportunities.

      .0102   A request for reasonable accommodation may include a modification or exception to the rules, standards, practices and procedures regulating the siting, development or use of housing or housing-related facilities that would eliminate regulatory barriers and provide a person with a disability equal opportunity to housing of their choice.

      .0103   A person with a disability is a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; anyone who is regarded as having such impairment; or anyone who has a record of such impairment. This section shall only apply to those persons who are defined as disabled under the Acts.

   .020   Application.

      .0201   An application for a request for reasonable accommodation shall be filed with the Planning Department, on a form approved by the Planning Director, and shall contain the following information:

         .01   Applicant’s name, address, and telephone number;

         .02   Address of the property for which the request is being made;

         .03   The current actual use of the property;

         .04   The basis for the claim that the individual is considered disabled under the Acts.

         .05   The zoning code provision, regulation or policy from which reasonable accommodation is being requested.

         .06   The length of time the reasonable accommodation is necessary.

         .07   Explanation of why the reasonable accommodation is necessary to make the specific property accessible to the individual.

      .0202   Review with other land use applications.

         .01   If the project for which the request for reasonable accommodation is made requires some other discretionary permit or approval, then the applicant shall submit the request for reasonable accommodation together with the application for the other discretionary permit or approval. The processing procedure of the discretionary permit shall govern the joint processing of both the reasonable accommodation and the discretionary permit.

         .02   Requests for reasonable accommodation submitted for concurrent review with another discretionary land use application shall be reviewed by the authority reviewing the discretionary land use application.

   .030   Issuance or Denial of Permit. If the Planning Director determines that all provisions of this section are, or will be, complied with, and that all other necessary permits have or will be obtained, a permit shall be issued; otherwise, the application shall be denied.

   .040   Permit Fee. A fee may be charged per Chapter 18.80 (Fees).

   .050   Decision. The decision of the Planning Director is final, unless appealed to the Planning Commission within ten (10) days after the date the decision is made.

   .060   Findings. A written decision to grant, grant with modifications, or deny a request for reasonable accommodation shall consider all of the following factors:

      .0601   That the housing, which is the subject of the request, will be used by a person with a disability as defined in subsection 18.62.090.010, above.

      .0602   That the request for reasonable accommodation is necessary to make specific housing available to a person with a disability as defined in subsection 18.62.090.010, above.

      .0603   That the requested reasonable accommodation would not impose an undue financial or administrative burden on the city.

      .0604   That the requested reasonable accommodation would not require a fundamental alteration in the nature of a City program or law, including but not limited to land use and zoning.

   .070   Conditions of Approval. In granting a request for reasonable accommodation, the reviewing authority may impose any conditions of approval deemed reasonable and necessary to ensure that the reasonable accommodation would comply with the findings required by Subsection .060 Findings. (Ord. 6206 § 6; April 12, 2011.)

   .010   Review Authority. A Historical Property Preservation Agreement (“Mills Act Contract”) between the owner of a historical property and the City requires that the owner maintain the qualified historical property in exchange for an assessment of value pursuant to Article 1.9 of Chapter 3 of Part 2 of Division 1 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code. The Planning and Building Director, subject to the limitations of this section, may approve an Exterior Alteration to a historical property under a Mills Act Contract. The Planning and Building Director may refer any application for an exterior alteration to a Mills Act Property to the Planning Commission in accordance with Section 18.60.080 (Planning Director Reviews).

   .020   Applicability. The owner of a historical property must preserve, maintain, and, where necessary, restore and rehabilitate the Historical Property and its “Character Defining Features” in accordance with (i) the rules and regulations of the Office of Historic Preservation of the California Department of Parks and Recreation, (ii) the United States Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and (iii) the State Historical Building Code. “Character Defining Features” shall include, but not be limited to, the general architectural form, style, materials, design, scale, proportions, organization of windows, door and other openings, details, mass, roof line, and all other aspects of the appearance of the exterior of the Historical Property. An “Exterior Alteration” may include, but is not limited to, demolition of any portion of the Historical Property, exterior door or window replacement, major landscaping projects and all other similar exterior alterations of the Historical Property, regardless of whether a building permit is required for such exterior alteration.

   .030   Procedures. An application on a form approved by the Planning and Building Director, for an exterior alteration to a historical property shall be filed with the Planning and Building Department.

     .040   Fees. An application fee may be charged per Chapter 18.80 (Fees).

   .050   Findings. The Review Authority must make the following findings prior to approving an exterior alteration to a historical property:

      .0501   The exterior alteration is consistent with the purpose and intent of the United States Secretary of the Interior’

        .0502   The proposed exterior alteration would not adversely affect any historic character-defining features;

      .0503   The exterior alteration would be consistent with the architectural style of the property;

      .0504   The approval of the proposed exterior alteration is consistent with the Citywide Historic Preservation Plan Design Guidelines for Historic Properties.

   .060   Conditions. In granting an application for exterior alteration, the Reviewing Authority may impose conditions of approval deemed reasonable and necessary to ensure compliance with this Subsection.

   .070   Decision. The decision of the Planning and Building Director is final, unless appealed to the Planning Commission, within ten (10) days after the date of the decision, in accordance with Chapter 18.60 (Procedures).

(Ord. 6461 § 27; April 16, 2019.)

   This section sets forth the procedures for processing an application for an Urban Lot Split, when such a permit is required by Section 18.38.255 (Two-Unit Development and Urban Lot Split) of Chapter 18.38 (Supplemental Use Regulations).

   .010   Application. An application, on a form approved by the Planning and Building Director, for an Urban Lot Split shall be filed with the Planning and Building Department.

   .020   Site Plan Review. If the Planning and Building Director determines that additional information and review is needed, he or she may require a final plan review.

   .030   Criteria. The criteria for approval of an Urban Lot Split are set forth in Section 18.38.255(Two-Unit Development and Urban Lot Split) of Chapter 18.38 (Supplemental Use Regulations).

   .040   Issuance or Denial of Permit. If the Planning and Building Director determines that all provisions of this Section and Section 18.38.255 (Two-Unit Development and Urban Lot Split) of Chapter 18.38 (Supplemental Use Regulations) are, or will be, complied with, and all other necessary permits have been obtained, a permit shall be issued; otherwise, the application shall be denied following the issuance of written findings by the Planning and Building Director that the Urban Lot Split will result in a specific, adverse impact to the public health and safety or the physical environment and there is no feasible method to mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact.

      .0401 An Urban Lot Split shall not be approved on a lot located in an area of the City identified, by resolution of the City Council and by written finding of the Building Official, to be areas with insufficient sewer infrastructure where a Urban Lot Split will result in impacts to the public health and safety.

   .050   Conditions of Approval. In granting a request for an Urban Lot Split, the reviewing authority may impose the following condition and any conditions of approval deemed reasonable and necessary to ensure compliance with this Subsection:

   .060   Permit Fee. A fee may be charged per Chapter 18.80 (Fees).

   .070   Decision. The decision of the Planning and Building Director is final. (Ord. 6524 § 17; January 25, 2022.)