A. This chapter provides a procedure to request reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities seeking equal access to housing under the Fair Housing Laws in the application of zoning laws, building codes, and other land use regulations, policies and procedures. “Fair Housing Laws” means “Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988” (42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq.), including reasonable accommodation required by 42 U.S.C. § 3604(f)(3)(B), and the “California Fair Employment and Housing Act” (California Government Code Section 12900 et seq.), including reasonable accommodation required specifically by California Government Code Sections 12927(c)(1) and 12955(l), as any of these statutory provisions now exist or may be amended from time to time.

B. A request for reasonable accommodation may be made by any person with a disability, his/her representative, or any business or property owner when the application of a zoning law, building code provision or other land use regulation, policy or practice acts as a barrier to fair housing opportunities. 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, as those terms are defined in the Fair Housing Laws.

C. A request for reasonable accommodation may include a request for 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 their choice. Requests for reasonable accommodation shall be made in the manner prescribed by this chapter.

D. It is the intent of this chapter that, notwithstanding time limits provided to perform specific functions, application review, decision making and appeals proceed expeditiously, especially where the request is time sensitive, so as to reduce impediments to equal access to housing. (Ord. 2022-03 § 3 (Exh. A), 2022)