In order to classify land uses and to restrict the location of trades, industries and buildings designed for various uses, and the use of area and premises within the city, the area within the city may be divided into zones as follows:

It is declared that in the creation by this title of the respective zone classifications set forth in Section 17.04.010, the city council has given due and special consideration to the particular uses enumerated therefor, the area requirements, density of land occupancy and the necessary, proper and comprehensive groupings and arrangements of the various industries, businesses and population of the area of the city, both within said area and in relation with established plans in the surrounding areas of Los Angeles County.

It is further declared that the city council deems the zones established pursuant to this title to be best suited to provide for and promote the public safety, health and welfare and to carry out the purposes of the planning law of the state.

In interpreting and applying the provisions of this title, they shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion of the public health, safety, comfort, convenience, and general welfare.

Whenever a power is granted to, or a duty imposed upon a public officer by this title, the power may be exercised or the duty may be performed by the city council, a deputy of the officer or a person authorized pursuant to law or ordinance by the officer, unless this title expressly provides otherwise.

Whenever reference is made to any portion of this title or of any other law or ordinance, the reference applies to all amendments and additions now or hereafter made.

Every person violating any provision of this title or of any permit, license or exception granted hereunder is guilty of a misdemeanor. Upon conviction thereof he or she shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars, or by imprisonment in the County Jail for not to exceed six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Each separate day or any portion thereof during which any violation of this title occurs or continues constitutes a separate offense and upon conviction therefor shall be punishable as provided in this section.

Any court action or proceeding to attack, review, set aside, void or annul any decision regarding the general plan or any matter mentioned in this title or concerning any of the proceedings, acts or determinations taken, done or made prior to such decision, or to determine the reasonableness, legality or validity of any condition attached thereto, shall not be maintained by any person unless such action or proceeding is commenced within thirty days after the effective date of such decision. Thereafter all persons are barred from any such action or proceeding or any defense of invalidity or unreasonableness of such decision or of such proceedings, acts or determinations.

The actions and decisions of the planning commission to approve or disapprove an application for discretionary permit authorized pursuant to the provisions of this code including, but not limited to, conditional use permits, zone exceptions, general plan amendments, the denial of a re-zoning, etc., together with any action to revoke such permits, may be appealed to the city council by the applicant or any interested person, subject to the following:

Any discretionary permit granted pursuant to the provisions of this code including, but not limited to, conditional use permits, zone exceptions, etc., shall lapse and thereafter become null and void if the exercise and use of the rights granted by such permit are discontinued for a consecutive period of one hundred eighty days.

If, in the discretion of the planning director, the promotion of efficient and sound planning principals or protection of the public welfare and safety requires that the city council exercise final decision jurisdiction for the review and approval of any one or more applications for a proposed private or public project subject to this title, the planning director, notwithstanding any provision in this title, may submit the project applications for review and decision as follows:

When the planning department receives applications for two or more land use permits described by this title that relate to the same development project, and the individual applications are under separate jurisdiction for final decision, all of the applications shall be submitted as follows:

Except as otherwise required by law, any activities, developments, and/or projects of the city shall be exempt from the requirements of this Zoning Code. However, the city will strive to meet the requirements to the maximum extent practical based on individual circumstances.