Chapter 2.75
PLANNING AND
INSPECTION DEPARTMENT
Sections:
2.75.010 Organization generally – Director of Planning and Inspection.
2.75.040 Community services division.
2.75.050 Permit services division.
2.75.060 Development review division.
Stat. Ref.: For State law as to planning generally, see Gov. C.A. § 65000 et seq.
Charter reference – Provisions relative to Planning Commission, see Charter §§ 1006 and 1007.
2.75.010 Organization Generally – Director of Planning and Inspection.
The Planning and Inspection Department shall be under the direct supervision of the Director of Planning and Inspection, who shall be in the unclassified service, and shall be organized into the divisions as provided herein. (Ord. 947; Ord. 1187 § 7, 4-2-68. Formerly § 2-53).
2.75.020 Planning division.
The planning division shall be under the immediate supervision of the City Planner who shall be in the unclassified service. The duties and responsibilities of the planning division shall be as follows:
(a) To prepare and administer a master plan for the orderly development of the City, including such precise plans as may be deemed essential.
(b) To conduct studies, surveys and other investigations considered to be necessary to prepare for the City's future growth.
(c) To administer the Zoning Ordinance and to investigate and report on requests for variances, special use permits and applications for rezoning.
(d) To review and make reports and recommendations on the acceptability of proposed subdivisions and their compliance with minimum requirements for public improvements, land use regulations and necessary dedications.
(e) To assist the Director of Planning and Inspection in providing necessary assistance to the permit center, the project clearance committee, and to the Planning Commission. (Ord. 947; Ord. 1187 § 7, 4-2-68; Ord. 1577 § 2, 10-13-87; Ord. 1711 § 1, 2-10-98. Formerly § 2-54).
2.75.030 Inspection division.
The inspection division shall be under the immediate supervision of the Building Official, who shall be in the unclassified service. The duties and responsibilities of the inspection division shall be as follows:
(a) To enforce the provisions of applicable State laws, City ordinances, and regulations and codes pertaining to the erection, construction, reconstruction, maintenance, moving, conversion, alteration, or addition to any building or structure, and including zoning enforcement.
(b) To provide general guidance and supervision to the permit services division.
(c) To make the required inspections during the various stages of work to ensure that all work meets the requirements of the applicable codes.
(d) To maintain proper and adequate files and records of all work performed and required documentation for legal proceedings.
(e) To cooperate with the County of Santa Clara in abating health problems in the city.
(f) To enforce the provisions of the Housing Code and eliminate structural and other conditions that make buildings or structures unsafe for human occupancy and to carry out the City's routine housing inspection program.
(g) To reduce the propagation of neighborhood blight and slum conditions by encouraging, requiring, and enforcing the improvement of these areas or properties through the elimination of fire, health, and structural hazards by repair, removal, or demolition of structures and/or other contributing hazards.
(h) To do related work as required. (Ord. 1187 § 7, 4-2-68; Ord. 1577 § 3, 10-13-87; Ord. 1595 § 1, 2-14-89. Formerly § 2-54.1).
2.75.040 Community services division.
The community services division shall be under the immediate supervision of the community service division manager, who shall be in the unclassified services. The functions of this division shall be as follows:
(a) To administer programs funded by Federal, State, or other sources in order to assure compliance with terms specified under Federal, State, and local regulations and program guidelines.
(b) To provide necessary technical assistance to the City, its departments, divisions, boards, and commissions, and to delegate agencies on grant funded programs on compliance issues.
(c) To develop and manage human service programs and integrate grant-assisted programs with the services of the City.
(d) To monitor delegated agency contracts to assure compliance with terms specified under Federal, State, and local regulations.
(e) To prepare reports and recommendations regarding agency performance and future funding levels.
(f) To promote and stimulate the local housing assistance program through the development of new units and rehabilitation of substandard units.
(g) To package and maintain loans for acquisition, relocation, and rehabilitation of existing buildings and manage the actual reconstruction.
(h) To interview property owners, determine project eligibility, develop contract and legal documents, issue payments, collect fees, and perform such other functions necessary to the management of rehabilitation projects.
(i) To do related work as required. (Ord. 1577 § 4, 10-13-87. Formerly § 2-54.2).
2.75.050 Permit services division.
The permit services division shall be under the immediate supervision of the permit services division manager, who shall be in the unclassified service and under the general supervision of the Building Official. The duties and responsibilities of this division shall be as follows:
(a) To review and inspect all preliminary and final blueprints, drawings, and tracings which are submitted for approval prior to the construction or alteration of any building or structure, to ensure that there is compliance with the applicable building codes.
(b) To issue the proper permit to the applicant if approval is granted for the construction or alteration as specified in the submitted plans and when all City requirements have been satisfied.
(c) To render structural and technical assistance to the Planning and Inspection Department.
(d) To do related work as required. (Ord. 1215 § 4, 7-22-69; Ord. 1285 § 10, 2-19-74; Ord. 1595 § 1, 2-14-89. Formerly § 2-54.3).
2.75.060 Development review division.
The development review division shall be under the immediate supervision of the principal planner who shall be in the unclassified service under the general direction of the City Planner and the Director of Planning and Inspection. The duties and responsibilities of the division shall be as follows:
(a) To review and coordinate project reports for the City's permit center, project clearance committee, the Planning Commission, City Council and other groups as assigned in consultation with the City Planner and the Director of Planning and Inspection.
(b) To supervise several staff planners, and others as assigned in their preparation of materials and reports as noted above.
(c) To coordinate with other divisions and departments relating to projects associated with the above.
(d) To coordinate training and scheduling of planners at the permit center at the direction of the City Planner.
(e) To represent the City Planner and/or the Director of Planning and Inspection on various City and intergovernmental committees.
(f) To do related work as required. (Ord. 1711 § 2, 2-10-98. Formerly § 2-54.4).