The purpose of this chapter is to provide a procedure to request reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities seeking equal access to housing under the Federal Fair Housing Act and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act in the application of zoning laws and other land use regulations, policies and procedures, and to establish relevant criteria to be used when considering such requests.

In order to make specific housing available to an individual with a disability, any person may request a modification or exception to the rules, standards and practices for the siting, development and use of housing or housing-related facilities that would eliminate regulatory barriers and provide a person with a disability equal opportunity to housing of his or her choice. A person with a disability is a person who has a physical or mental impairment that limits or substantially limits one or more major life activities, anyone who is regarded as having such impairment or anyone who has a record of such impairment. This chapter applies only to those persons who are defined as disabled under the Federal Fair Housing Act and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act.

Any decision of the community development director or designee may be appealed by the applicant to the planning commission. The appeal shall be made in writing and filed with the community development director within fifteen (15) days following the final decision. The appeal shall be accompanied by a fee, as set by the city council, and shall clearly state the reasons for the appeal. Where the request for accommodation is in conjunction with an application for another approval, permit or entitlement under this title, the appeal procedures for such other approval, permit or entitlement shall control.

Any approval or conditional approval of an application under this chapter may be conditioned to provide for its rescission or automatic expiration under appropriate circumstances.