Existing law requires the planning commission to hold a public hearing on any zoning ordinance or an amendment to a zoning ordinance that changes any property from one zone to another. Existing law, if the proposed ordinance or amendment to a zoning ordinance affects the permitted uses of real property, requires notice of the hearing to be, among other things, mailed or delivered at least 10 days prior to the hearing to the owner of the subject real property, as specified.

This bill would instead require notice of the planning commission’s hearing on a proposed zoning ordinance or amendment to a zoning ordinance, if the proposed ordinance or amendment to a zoning ordinance affects the permitted uses of real property, to be published, posted, mailed, and delivered, or advertised, as applicable, at least 20 days before the hearing.

By imposing increased noticing requirements on a local government that considers a zoning ordinance or amendment to a zoning ordinance, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The bill would include findings that changes proposed by this bill address a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair and, therefore, apply to all cities, including charter cities.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.