In accordance with state planning and zoning law, Government Code Section 65000 et seq., the planning commission of the City of Commerce shall administer this Title 19 and amendments thereto. The planning commission shall have the authority and responsibility to hear and act upon all matters as specified in Chapter 19.39 (Administration of the Zoning Ordinance) of this Title 19 and any other responsibilities authorized by Chapter 2.16 (Planning Commission) of the Commerce Municipal Code.

(Ord. 544 § 1(part), 2000).

A.

The community development director or his designee shall have the authority and responsibility to hear and act upon all matters as specified in Chapter 19.39 (Administration of the Zoning Ordinance) of this Title 19.

B.

The community development director shall have the authority to interpret the use provisions applicable to each zone district, using the zone district descriptions contained in Chapter 19.05 (Establishment of Zones) and Chapters 19.07 through 19.17 of this Title 19. In the event that a specific use or type of use is not listed, the Director shall make a recommendation to the planning commission, and the planning commission shall have the authority to determine which listed use is most similar to the proposed use and thereby determine whether the use is permitted, permitted subject to conditional use permit review and approval, permitted as a temporary use, or prohibited. The director shall maintain a permanent record of such decisions.

(Ord. 544 § 1(part), 2000).

The building inspector or his duly authorized representative shall be responsible for the enforcement of the provisions of this Title 19 which pertain to the construction, moving, conversion, alteration, or addition of and to structures and associated improvements to the lots on which they are located.

(Ord. 544 § 1(part), 2000).

The special prosecutor, upon the request of the city council, shall institute any necessary legal proceedings to enforce this Title 19. The special prosecutor shall be authorized, in addition to any other remedy provided in this Title 19, to institute an action for an injunction to restrain or any other appropriate action or proceedings to enforce this Title 19.

(Ord. 544 § 1(part), 2000).

If ambiguity arises concerning the appropriate classification of a particular use within the meaning and intent of this Title 19, or if ambiguity exists with respect to matters of height, yard requirements, area requirements, or zone boundaries as set forth herein, it shall be the duty of the community development director to ascertain all pertinent facts, and to set forth in writing the findings and the interpretations. The director can refer the matter to the planning commission as a scheduled matter not requiring public hearing, and the findings and interpretations of the planning commission shall be set forth in the recorded minutes. Thereafter, such interpretations shall govern.

(Ord. 544 § 1(part), 2000).

A.

Enforcement. The planning commission, the community development director, the city attorney, the city clerk, and all officials charged with the issuance of licenses or permits shall enforce the provisions of this Title 19. Any permit, certificate, or license issued in conflict with the provisions of this Title 19 shall be void.

B.

Actions Deemed a Nuisance. Any building or structure erected or maintained, or any use of property contrary to the provisions of this Title 19 shall be declared to be unlawful and a public nuisance, subject to abatement pursuant to Chapter 1.12 of the Commerce Municipal Code.

C.

Remedies. All remedies concerning this Title 19 shall be cumulative and not exclusive. Conviction and punishment of any person hereunder shall not relieve such persons from the responsibility of correcting prohibited conditions or removing prohibited buildings, structures, or improvements, and shall not prevent the enforced correction or removal thereof.

D.

Penalties. Any person, firm, or corporation, whether as principal, agent, employee, or otherwise, violating any provisions of this Title 19 or violating or failing to comply with any order or regulation made hereunder shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, unless such provision expressly provided that the violation thereof is an infraction, and shall be subject to the penalties set forth in Chapter 1.12 of the Commerce Municipal Code.

(Ord. 544 § 1(part), 2000).