Article 1. Local Planning of California Government Code >> Division 1. >> Title 7. >> Chapter 3. >> Article 1.

There is in each city and county a planning agency with the powers necessary to carry out the purposes of this title. The legislative body of each city and county shall by ordinance assign the functions of the planning agency to a planning department, one or more planning commissions, administrative bodies or hearing officers, the legislative body itself, or any combination thereof, as it deems appropriate and necessary. In the absence of an assignment, the legislative body shall carry out all the functions of the planning agency.

(a) The legislative body may create one or more planning commissions each of which shall report directly to the legislative body. The legislative body shall specify the membership of the commission or commissions. In any event, each planning commission shall consist of at least five members, all of whom shall act in the public interest. If it creates more than one planning commission, the legislative body shall prescribe the issues, responsibilities, or geographic jurisdiction assigned to each commission. If a development project affects the jurisdiction of more than one planning commission, the legislative body shall designate the commission which shall hear the entire development project.
  (b) Two or more legislative bodies may:
  (1) Create a joint area planning agency, planning commission, or advisory agency for all or prescribed portions of their cities or counties which shall exercise those powers and perform those duties under this title that the legislative bodies delegate to it.
  (2) Authorize their planning agencies, or any components of them, to meet jointly to coordinate their work, conduct studies, develop plans, hold hearings, or jointly exercise any power or perform any duty common to them.

The Hoopa Valley Business Council, as the governing body of the Hoopa Valley Indian Tribe, may participate as a legislative body, pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 65101 on the Humboldt County Association of Governments and shall be deemed to be a public agency, pursuant to Section 6500, for purposes of Article 1 (commencing with Section 6500) of Chapter 5 of Division 7 of Title 1. The Legislature finds and declares that the unique circumstances of Humboldt County necessitate this special law.

A legislative body may establish for its planning agency any rules, procedures, or standards which do not conflict with state or federal laws.

Each planning agency shall perform all of the following functions:
  (a) Prepare, periodically review, and revise, as necessary, the general plan.
  (b) Implement the general plan through actions including, but not limited to, the administration of specific plans and zoning and subdivision ordinances.
  (c) Annually review the capital improvement program of the city or county and the local public works projects of other local agencies for their consistency with the general plan, pursuant to Article 7 (commencing with Section 65400).
  (d) Endeavor to promote public interest in, comment on, and understanding of the general plan, and regulations relating to it.
  (e) Consult and advise with public officials and agencies, public utility companies, civic, educational, professional, and other organizations, and citizens generally concerning implementation of the general plan.
  (f) Promote the coordination of local plans and programs with the plans and programs of other public agencies.
  (g) Perform other functions as the legislative body provides, including conducting studies and preparing plans other than those required or authorized by this title.

The legislative body shall provide the funds, equipment, and accommodations necessary or appropriate for the work of the planning agency. If the legislative body, including that of a charter city, establishes any fees to support the work of the planning agency, the fees shall not exceed the reasonable cost of providing the service for which the fee is charged. The legislative body shall impose the fees pursuant to Section 66016.

In the performance of their functions, planning agency personnel may enter upon any land and make examinations and surveys, provided that the entries, examinations, and surveys do not interfere with the use of the land by those persons lawfully entitled to the possession thereof.

Upon request all public officials shall furnish to the planning agency within a reasonable time any available information as may be required for the work of the planning agency.

Any action brought in the superior court relating to this chapter may be subject to a mediation proceeding conducted pursuant to Chapter 9.3 (commencing with Section 66030).