The ordinance codified in this title shall be known as the "Galt Development Code," may be cited as such, and will be referred to hereafter as "this code," and sections or portions hereinafter referred to shall refer to sections or portions of this code.

These regulations are enacted based on the authority vested in the City of Galt by the state of California, including but not limited to: the state Constitution; the Planning and Zoning Law (Government Code Section 65000 et seq.); the Subdivision Map Act (Government Code Section 66410 et seq.); and the California Health and Safety Code.

The purpose of this code is to protect and promote the public health, safety, peace, comfort, convenience, prosperity, and general welfare. More specifically, this title is adopted in order to achieve the objectives set forth in state law and the General Plan, including but not limited to the following:

Except as otherwise provided in this code, the regulations set forth in this code shall apply to any zoning district established by this code.

In interpreting and applying the provisions of this code, the minimum requirements for the protection and promotion of public health, safety, peace, morals, comfort, convenience, and general welfare shall be used. It is not intended by this title to interfere with or abrogate or annul any easements, covenants or other agreement between parties; provided, however, that where this code imposes a greater restriction upon the use of buildings or premises or upon the height of buildings, or requires larger yard setbacks or open spaces than are imposed or required by other ordinances, rules, regulations, or by easements, covenants, or agreements, the provisions of this code shall govern.

Any building or structure for which a building permit has been issued prior to the effective date of this code may be completed and used in accordance with the plans, specifications, permits, terms and conditions on which said building permit was granted, if construction is commenced within one hundred eighty (180) days after the issuance of said permit and diligently pursued to completion. No extensions of time shall be granted for commencement of construction, without prior approval by the Planning Commission.

If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase of this code is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this code. The Galt City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this code, and each section, subsection, sentence, clause, and phrase thereof, regardless of the fact that any or one (1) or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses, or phrases be declared invalid or unconstitutional.

For all projects which are approved pursuant to this code, the applicants, subdividers, or the successors thereof shall pay fees in accordance with approved schedules of the City, and shall pay fees which may be imposed subsequent to project approval unless otherwise provided by statute or ordinance, at the time of development, building permit issuance, certificate of occupancy or other prescribed time, including but not limited to fees for sewer, water, traffic, fire, police, administration, park, building, engineering, or other fees established in accordance with law.

It is the intent of this code that all actions taken by any decision-making authority of the City of Galt pursuant to this code that are solely adjudicatory in nature be within a time frame consistent with the provisions of Government Code Section 65920 et seq. (the Permit Streamlining Act). Nothing in this code shall be interpreted as imposing time limits on actions taken by any decision-making authority of the City of Galt pursuant to this code that are legislative in nature or that require both adjudicatory and legislative judgments.

Consistent with the provisions of Government Code Section 65402, the Community Development Department may recommend or conditionally recommend and the City Council may approve or conditionally approve the acquisition of real property by dedication or otherwise for street, square, park or other public purposes or the disposition of real property, a street vacation or abandonment, or the construction or authorization of any public building, if it finds the proposed acquisition or disposition of the real property, including the location, purpose and extent of such acquisition or disposition is in conformance with the Galt General Plan and any applicable specific plan.

The Community Development Department shall render its report as to conformity with the Galt General Plan or part thereof and any applicable specific plan or part thereof within forty (40) days after the matter was submitted to it, or such longer period of time as may be designated by the City Council. If the City Council so provides, by ordinance or resolution, the provisions of this section shall not apply to: (1) the disposition of the remainder of a larger parcel which was acquired and used in part for street purposes; (2) acquisitions, dispositions, or abandonments for street widening; or (3) alignment projects, provided such dispositions for street purposes, acquisitions, dispositions, or abandonments for street widening, or alignment projects are of a minor nature.