The role of the Zoning Administrator is to issue land use permits
that are minor in nature and which customarily result in an activity
of generally little public controversy and adverse impact. The Director,
or designee, shall serve as the Zoning Administrator and provide Santa
Monica with an opportunity to exercise administrative discretion,
adopt specific findings of fact to support the resulting decision,
and to require specific conditions where warranted, and to ensure
that the requested activity or project is conducted or constructed
in a manner consistent with the goals, objectives, and policies of
the General Plan. Specifically, the powers and duties of the Zoning
Administrator or designee shall include, but not be limited to the
following:
A. Administer this Chapter, including processing of applications, abatements,
and other enforcement actions.
B. Interpret this Chapter to members of the public and to other City Departments and issue formal interpretations in accordance with Section
9.37.140.
C. Prepare and effect rules and procedures necessary or convenient for
the conduct of the Director's business.
D. Review applications for permits and licenses for conformance with
this Chapter and issue a Zoning Conformance Permit when the proposed
use, activity, or building is allowed by right and conforms to all
applicable development and use standards.
E. Review applications for discretionary permits and approvals under
this Chapter for conformance with applicable submission requirements
and time limits.
F. Review applications and ensure compliance with the California Environmental
Quality Act and the City's environmental review requirements,
and notify the applicant if any additional information is necessary
to conduct the review.
G. Hear and decide applications for Minor Use Permits, modifications to conditions of approved Minor Use Permits, and time extensions of Minor Use Permits, pursuant to Chapter
9.41, Minor Use Permits and Conditional Use Permits.
H. Hear and decide requests for minor modifications to approved permits, pursuant to Chapter
9.43, Modifications and Waivers.
I. Approve, conditionally approve, modify or deny applications for Temporary Use Permits, pursuant to Chapter
9.44, Temporary Use Permits.
J. Hear and decide proposals to revoke permits, pursuant to Section
9.37.120, Revocation of Permits, following a public hearing.
K. Approve, modify, or deny applications for projects subject to ministerial
review and approval including, but not limited to:
1. Administrative Approvals, pursuant to Chapter
9.39, Administrative Approval;
2. Duplexes and Lot Splits on Parcel Zoned for Single-Unit Residential, pursuant to Section
9.31.125, Duplexes and Lot Splits on Parcel Zoned for Single-Unit Residential; and
3. Projects subject to ministerial review and approval pursuant to State
law.
L. Prepare zoning compliance letters explaining the City's land
use regulations and permit information typically prepared in the context
of a pending property sale or transaction.
M. Delegate powers and duties of the Zoning Administrator to members
of the Community Development Department.
(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§
1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; Ord. No. 2814CCS, 5/27/2025)