How applications are checked and accepted

(a) Any application filed with the director or the commission, pursuant to this chapter, including but not limited to a zoning amendment, variance, use permit, plan approval, planned unit development permit, or cluster plan development permit, shall be reviewed by the director for completeness within fifteen days from the date that the application was filed by the applicant. An application may be filed with the director or the commission in a format prescribed by the director. (b) Prior to the acceptance of any application, all real property taxes and other fees relating to the subject parcel or parcels shall be paid and there shall be no outstanding delinquencies, except in cases of bankruptcy or similar matters as authorized by the director of finance. (c) During the fifteen-day period, the director shall either determine that the application is complete and accept the application as of the date that the application was filed by the applicant or shall determine that the application is defective. (d) If the director determines that the application is defective, the application shall be returned to the applicant together with a deficiency notice, to be postmarked within the fifteen-day review period, which lists the information missing from the application. (e) Any application that is rejected as defective may be refiled together with a copy of the deficiency notice and the required additional information. The resubmitted application shall be accepted as complete as of the date of resubmission, provided that all required additional information has been submitted. (f) If the director fails to act upon any application within the fifteen-day period, the application shall be deemed complete and shall be considered accepted as of the date that the application was filed. (g) The director shall publish, on a semi-monthly basis, a list of all applications accepted under this section in at least two newspapers of general circulation in the County. Such list shall include the name of the property owner, tax map key number(s) of the property, the land area, and street address, if available. (1996, ord 96-160, sec 2; ratified April 6, 1999; am 1998, ord 98-29, sec 1; ord 98-26, sec 1; am 2021, ord 21-52, sec 7; am 2024, ord 24-70, sec 7.)25-2-3