Any person with disabilities and eligible under the Fair Housing Act or their representative may request a reasonable accommodation with respect to the various land use or zoning laws, rules, policies, practices and/or procedures of the City as provided by the Fair Housing Act pursuant to the procedures set out in this chapter.

Nothing in this chapter requires persons with disabilities or operators of group homes for persons with disabilities acting or operating in accordance with applicable zoning, licensing or land use laws or practices to seek reasonable accommodation under this chapter.

A request by an applicant for reasonable accommodation relating to land use or zoning rules, policies, practices and/or procedures may be made orally or in writing. The Department will assist the applicant with furnishing the Department all information necessary for processing the reasonable accommodation request, including that information which the Department deems necessary to complete a reasonable accommodation request.

The Department will provide the assistance necessary to an applicant in making a request for reasonable accommodation. The Department will provide the assistance necessary to any applicant wishing to appeal a denial of a request for reasonable accommodation to ensure the process is accessible to the applicant. The applicant is entitled to be represented at all stages of the proceedings identified in this chapter by a person designated by the applicant.

Should the information provided by the applicant to the Department include medical information or records of the applicant, including records indicating the medical condition, diagnosis or medical history of the applicant, the applicant may, at the time of submitting such medical information, request that the department, to the extent allowed by law, treat such medical information as confidential information of the applicant.

Medical Information. The Department shall provide written notice to the applicant of any request received by the Department for disclosure of the medical information or documentation which the applicant has previously requested be treated as confidential by the Department. The Department will cooperate with the applicant, to the extent allowed by law, in actions initiated by the applicant to oppose the disclosure of such medical information or documentation.

The applicant shall submit a request for reasonable accommodation in a form acceptable to the Department. The application shall include the following information:

If the project for which the reasonable accommodation is being requested also requires some other discretionary permit per this title or Title 16 (Subdivisions), then the reasonable accommodation request shall be acted on before proceeding with the public hearing for the discretionary permit applications.

The Community Development Director shall have the authority to consider and act on requests for reasonable accommodation. When a request for reasonable accommodation is filed with the department, it will be referred to the director/designee for review and consideration. The Community Development Director shall issue a written determination within 30 days of the date of receipt of a completed application and may: (1) grant the accommodation request; or (2) deny the request, in accordance with federal law. Any such denial shall be in writing and shall state the grounds therefore. All written determinations shall give notice of the right to appeal and the right to request reasonable accommodation in the appeals process. The notice of determination shall be sent to the applicant by certified mail, return receipt requested and by regular mail.

Requests for Additional Information. If reasonably necessary to reach a determination on the request for reasonable accommodation, the director/designee may, prior to the end of said 30 day period, request additional information from the applicant, specifying in detail what information is required. The applicant shall have 15 days after the date of the request for additional information to provide the requested information. In the event a request for additional information is made, the 30 day period to issue a written determination shall be stayed. The Community Development Director shall issue a written determination within 30 days after receipt of the additional information. If the applicant fails to provide the requested additional information within said 15 day period, the Community Development Director shall issue a written determination within 30 days after expiration of said 15 day period.

A determination on the following findings shall be made before any action is taken to approve or deny a request for reasonable accommodation and must be incorporated into the record relating to such approval or denial:

A request for a reasonable accommodation shall not be denied for reasons which violate the provisions of the Fair Housing Act. This chapter does not obligate the City to grant any accommodation request unless required by the provisions of the Fair Housing Act or applicable California State law.

The applicant may appeal the decision within 30 days of the date the mailing of the decision to the applicant.

Appeals shall contain a statement of the grounds for the appeal.

If an applicant needs assistance in appealing a decision, the department will provide the assistance necessary to ensure that the appeal process is accessible to the applicant. All applicants are entitled to be represented at all stages of the appeal proceeding by a person designated by the applicant.

Appeals shall be to the City Council. The Council or its designee shall hear the matter and render a determination as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than 30 days after an appeal has been filed. All determinations on appeal shall address and be based upon the findings identified in Section 17.92.090 and shall be consistent with the Fair Housing Act.

An applicant may request reasonable accommodation in the procedure by which an appeal will be conducted.