The application shall be made on forms furnished by the department;

All necessary fees shall be paid in compliance with the city's fee resolution;

The application shall be accompanied by the information identified in the department handout for the particular application, and may include exhibits, maps, materials, plans, reports and other information required by the department, to describe clearly and accurately the proposed work, its potential environmental impact and its effect on the terrain, existing improvements and the surrounding neighborhood;

Applicants are encouraged to contact the department before submitting an application to verify which materials are necessary for application filing; and

Acceptance of the application does not constitute an indication of approval by the city.

An applicant for a development project, which requires the filing of more than one application, shall file all related applications concurrently, unless waived by the director, and submit appropriate processing fees in compliance with Section 21.32.040 (Application fees) of this chapter.

Permit processing and environmental review shall be concurrent and the final decision on the project shall be made by the appropriate review authority, in compliance with Table 4-1 (Review Authority).

If the director determines that the application is not eligible for filing because it lacks the proper components for the granting of the application (e.g., a request for a zoning map amendment or tentative map that could not be granted in absence of a required general plan amendment application, a request for a conditional use permit allowing a use that is not allowable in the subject zoning district, etc.), the applicant shall be so informed.

If the application is subsequently filed and the required fee(s) paid, the fact that the applicant was so informed shall be noted on the application and the signature of the applicant shall constitute verification of being informed.

Acceptance of the application does not constitute an indication of approval by the city.

Filing Date. The filing date of an application for a conditional use permit, development review, home occupation permit, precise plan of design, temporary use permit or variance shall be the date on which the department receives the last submission, map, plan or other material required as a part of that application by subsection (a) of this section, above, in compliance with Section 21.32.050 (Initial application review) of this chapter and deemed complete by the development and environmental review committee (DERC) or director, as appropriate.

The council shall, by resolution, establish a schedule of fees for amendments, entitlements and other matters pertaining to this title, referred to as the city's fee resolution.

The schedule of fees may be changed or modified only by resolution of the council.

The city's processing fees are cumulative. For example, if an application for a lot line adjustment also requires a minor variance, both fees shall be charged.

Processing shall not commence on an application until all required fees have been paid.

Without the application fee the application shall not be deemed complete.

Recognizing that filing fees are utilized to cover city costs of public hearings, mailing, posting, transcripts and staff time involved in processing applications, no refunds due to a disapproval are allowed.

In the case of a withdrawal, the director may authorize a partial refund based upon the pro-rated costs to-date and determination of the status of the application at the time of withdrawal.

The applicant shall be informed in writing within thirty days of submittal, either that the application is complete and has been accepted for processing, or that the application is incomplete and that additional information, specified in the letter, shall be provided.

Where the development and environmental review committee (DERC) or director, as appropriate, has determined that an application is incomplete, and the applicant believes that the application is complete and/or that the information requested by the director is not required, the applicant may appeal the determination, in compliance with Chapter 21.62 (Appeals) of this title.

When an application is incomplete, the time used by the applicant to submit the required additional information shall not be considered part of the time within which the determination of completeness shall occur. The time available to an applicant for submittal of additional information is limited by following subsection (1)(D) of this section.

Expiration of Application.

After an application has been accepted as complete, the director may require the applicant to submit additional information needed for the environmental review of the project in compliance with Section 21.32.060 (Environmental assessment) of this chapter.

The proposed project is exempt from the requirements of CEQA;

The proposed project is not a project as defined by CEQA;

Whether a negative declaration or mitigated negative declaration may be issued; or

Whether an environmental impact report (EIR) shall be required.

A staff report shall be prepared describing the conclusions/findings about the proposed land use and development as to its compliance and consistency with the provisions of this title, other applicable provisions of the this code and the actions, goals, objectives and policies of the general plan.

The written report shall include recommendations, with appropriate findings, on the approval, approval with conditions or disapproval of the application, based on the evaluation and consideration of information provided by an initial study or environmental impact report.