The purpose of these regulations is to protect and promote the public health, safety, comfort, convenience, prosperity, and general welfare of the people of Lompoc, and to that end to effectuate the applicable provisions of the General Plan.

These regulations are intended to:

New Land Uses or Structures, Changes to Land Uses or Structures. It shall be unlawful, and a violation to this Code, for any person to establish, construct, reconstruct, alter, or replace any use of land or structure, except in compliance with this Code.

City Permits and Licenses. No building permit or grading permit, or business tax certificate shall be issued by the City unless the proposed construction or activity complies with all applicable provisions of this Code.

Subdivisions. Each subdivision of land approved within the City shall comply with the minimum lot size requirements of Division 2 (Allowed Uses and Development Standards for All Zones), the Subdivision Map Act, and all applicable requirements of this Code.

Continuation of an Existing Land Use. The requirements adopted in this Code are not retroactive in their effect on land use that was lawfully established before the effective date of the requirement's adoption, except as otherwise provided by Chapter 17.620 (Nonconforming Uses, Structures, and Parcels).

Effect of Zoning Code Changes on Projects in Progress. Projects shall be subject to the requirements and standards in this Code except as prohibited by State law.

Government Projects. The provisions of this Code shall apply to each City, County, special district, and State or Federal government or agency project to the maximum extent allowed by law.

Minimum Requirements. The provisions of this Code shall be minimum requirements for the promotion of the public health, safety, and general welfare except that other or different requirements may be imposed by the review authority through the authorization of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). When this Code provides for discretion on the part of a City official or body, that discretion may be exercised to impose more stringent requirements than set forth in this Code, as may be determined by the applicable Review Authority, as provided in Section 17.504.020 (Authority for Land Use and Zoning Decisions), if it is necessary to promote public health and safety, orderly land use and development, economic growth, job growth, housing growth, and the other purposes of this Code.

Other Requirements May Apply. Nothing in this Code eliminates the need for obtaining any other permits required by the City, or any permit, approval or entitlement required by any other applicable special district or agency, and/or the regulations of any State, or Federal agency. No use that is illegal under local or State law shall be allowed in any zone within the City.

Responsible Bodies and Individuals. This Code shall be administered by the City Council, the Planning Commission, the Community Development Department Director, and the Community Development Department as provided in Section 17.504.020 (Authority for Land Use and Zoning Decisions).

Exercise of Discretion. In the event that a provision of the Code allows the review authority (responsible body or individual) to exercise discretion in the application of a specific standard or requirement, but does not identify specific criteria for a decision, the following criteria shall be used in exercising discretion:

Delegation of Authority and Responsibility. The Director may delegate any responsibility or authority charged to him or her by any section of the Code to any employee of the City. Any employee or employees so designated may act on behalf of the Director in a matter or proceeding in the Code.

Authority. The Director has the authority to interpret any provision of this Code. Whenever the Director determines that the meaning or applicability of any Code requirement is subject to interpretation, the Director may issue an official written interpretation. The Director may also refer any issue of interpretation to the Planning Commission for its determination. Any interpretation may be appealed as provided in Chapter 17.612 (Appeals).

Language. When used in this Code, the following rules for words shall apply:

Time Limits. Whenever a number of days is specified in the Code, or in any permit, condition of approval, or notice provided in compliance with the Code, the number of days shall be consecutive calendar days. A time limit shall extend to 5:00 p.m. on the following working day where the last of the specified number of days falls on a weekend or holiday.

Conflicting Requirements.

State Law Requirements. Where the Code references applicable provisions of State Law (for example, the California Government Code, Subdivision Map Act, or Public Resources Code), the reference shall be construed to be to the applicable State law provisions as they may be amended from time to time.