Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 413, Sec. 2.5.
The commission shall make a continuing review of all the matters referred to in Section 66603 and Section 66651.
Chapter 4 - Powers and Duties of the Commission
California Government Code — §§ 66630-66648
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Sections (30)
Amended by Stats. 1995, Ch. 951, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1996.
In making the review, the commission shall cooperate to the fullest extent possible with the Association of Bay Area Governments; and shall, to the fullest extent possible, coordinate its planning with planning by local agencies, which shall retain the responsibility for local land use planning. To avoid duplication of work, the commission shall make maximum use of data and information available from the planning programs of the State Office of Planning and Research, the Association of Bay Area Governments, the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, the cities and counties in the San Francisco Bay area, and other public and private planning agencies.
Amended by Stats. 1987, Ch. 519, Sec. 4.
(a)Any person or governmental agency wishing to place fill, to extract materials, or to make any substantial change in use of any water, land or structure, within the area of the commission’s jurisdiction shall secure a permit from the commission and, if required by law or by ordinance, from any city or county within which any part of the work is to be performed. For purposes of this title, “fill” means earth or any other substance or material, including pilings or structures placed on pilings, and structures floating at some or all times and moored for extended periods, such as houseboats and floating docks. For the purposes of this section “materials” means items exceeding twenty dollars ($20) in value.
(b)The commission shall establish reasonable requirements to assure that sufficient information is provided by permit applicants to allow the commission to act on the applications. The requirements shall include measures to assure that the city or county which has jurisdiction over a project may consider and act on all matters regarding the project that involve a discretionary approval before the commission acts on an application. The city or county shall fully inform the commission on any such matters and the actions taken. The commission shall give full consideration to that information in its application review.
(c)The commission may require a reasonable filing fee and reimbursement of expenses for processing and investigating a permit application from all applicants before the commission, including government agencies notwithstanding Section 6103.
(d)The commission shall prescribe the form and contents of applications for permits. Among other things, an application for a permit shall set forth all public improvements and public utility facilities which are necessary or incidental to the proposed project and the names and mailing addresses of all public agencies or public utilities who will have ownership or control of the public improvements or public utility facilities if the permit is granted and the project is constructed. The executive director shall give written notice of the filing of the application to all such public agencies and public utilities. If the commission grants a permit for a project, the permit shall include all public improvements and public utility facilities which are necessary or incidental to the project.
(e)Upon the filing of an application for a permit by the commission, the commission shall transmit a copy thereof to the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board. Within 30 days, the regional board shall file a report with the commission indicating the effect of the proposed project on water quality within the bay.
(f)The commission shall take action upon an application for a permit, either denying or granting the permit, within 90 days after it files the application. The permit shall be automatically granted if the commission shall fail to take specific action either denying or granting the permit within the time period specified in this section. A permit shall be granted for a project if the commission finds and declares that the project is either (1) necessary to the health, safety or welfare of the public in the entire bay area, or (2) of such a nature that it will be consistent with the provisions of this title and with the provisions of the San Francisco Bay Plan then in effect. To effectuate those purposes, the commission may grant a permit subject to reasonable terms and conditions including the uses of land or structures, intensity of uses, construction methods and methods for dredging or placing of fill. Thirteen affirmative votes of members of the commission are required to grant a permit. Neither of the federal representatives who are members of the commission may vote on whether or not a permit shall be granted.
Pursuant to this title, the commission may provide by regulation, adopted after public hearing, for the issuance of permits by the executive director, without compliance with the above procedure, in cases of emergency, or for minor repairs to existing installations or minor improvements made anywhere within the area of jurisdiction of the commission including, without limitation, the installation of piers and pilings and maintenance dredging of navigation channels. The commission may also adopt after public hearing such additional regulations as it deems reasonable and necessary to enable it to carry out its functions efficiently and equitably, including regulations classifying the particular water-oriented uses referred to in Section 66602 and 66605.
(g)If the commission denies the permit, the applicant may submit another application for the permit directly to the commission after 90 days from the date of the denial.
(h)Any project authorized pursuant to this section shall be commenced, performed and completed in compliance with the provisions of all permits granted or issued by the commission and by any city or county.
(i)Any action, or proceeding to contest or question the commission’s denial of a permit application, or conditions attached to approval of a permit application, must be commenced in the appropriate court within 90 days following the date of that action by the commission.
(j)Any person who places fill, extracts materials, or makes any substantial change in the use of any water, land, or structure within the area of the commission’s jurisdiction without securing a permit from the commission as required by this title is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Added by Stats. 1965, Ch. 1162.
Nothing in this title shall apply to any project where necessary local governmental approval and a Department of the Army Corps of Engineers permit have been obtained to allow commencement of the diking or filling process, and where such diking or filling process has commenced prior to the effective date of this title, nor to the continuation of dredging under existing Department of the Army Corps of Engineers permits.
Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 825, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 1997.
(a)The owner or operator of any public service facilities need not obtain a permit from the commission for the construction within or upon any public highway or street of any public service facilities to provide service to persons or property located within the area of the commission’s jurisdiction. The public service facilities referred to in this subdivision shall be limited to those which are necessary for and are customarily used to provide direct and immediate service to the persons or property requiring that service.
(b)The owner or operator of public service facilities or a public street or road located anywhere within the area of the commission’s jurisdiction may, without first obtaining a permit from the commission, make emergency repairs to those facilities as may be necessary to maintain service if the emergency requires repairs before an emergency permit can be obtained under subdivision (f) of Section 66632 and if that notification is given to the commission not later than the first working day following the undertaking.
(c)“Public service facilities,” as used in this section, means any facilities used or intended to be used to provide water, gas, electric, or communications service and any pipelines, and appurtenant facilities, for the collection or transmission of sewage, flood or storm waters, petroleum, gas, or any liquid or other substance.
(d)Any agency that intends to undertake, carry out, or approve an emergency project to maintain, repair, or restore an existing highway, as defined in Section 360 of the Vehicle Code, except for a highway designated as an official state scenic highway pursuant to Section 262 of the Streets and Highways Code, within the existing right-of-way of the highway, damaged as a result of fire, flood, storm, earthquake, land subsidence, gradual earth movement, or landslide, within one year of the damage, need not obtain a permit from the commission, if notification is given to the commission not later than the first working day following the commencement of the undertaking or action. This subdivision does not exempt from this section any agency that is required to obtain from the commission a permit to undertake, carry out, or approve a project to expand or widen a highway damaged by fire, flood, storm, earthquake, land subsidence, gradual earth movement, or landslide.
Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 498, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2001.
Within any portion or portions of the shoreline band that are located outside the boundaries of water-oriented priority land uses, as fixed and established pursuant to Section 66611, the commission may deny an application for a permit for a proposed project only on the grounds that the project fails to provide maximum feasible public access, consistent with the proposed project, to the bay and its shoreline. When considering whether a project provides maximum feasible public access in areas of sensitive habitat, including tidal marshlands and mudflats, the commission shall, after consultation with the Department of Fish and Game, and using the best available scientific evidence, determine whether the access is compatible with wildlife protection in the bay.
Amended by Stats. 1969, Ch. 713.
The commission may:
(a)Accept grants, contributions, and appropriations from any public agency, private foundation, or individual.
(b)Appoint committees from its membership and appoint advisory committees from other interested public and private groups.
(c)Contract for or employ any professional services required by the commission or for the performance of work and services which in its opinion cannot satisfactorily be performed by its officers and employees or by other federal, state, or local governmental agencies.
(d)Sue and be sued in all actions and proceedings and in all courts and tribunals of competent jurisdiction, including prohibitory and mandatory injunctions to restrain violations of this title.
(e)Do any and all other things necessary to carry out the purposes of this title.
Amended by Stats. 1987, Ch. 519, Sec. 5.
The Legislature finds and declares that because the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission must rely on the expertise provided by volunteer members of advisory boards to make decisions which relate to the public safety, members of the advisory boards should be entitled to the same immunity from liability provided commission members and other public employees.
Members of the advisory bodies appointed pursuant to Sections 66633 and 66636 while performing duties required by this title or by the commission shall be entitled to the same rights and immunities granted public employees by Article 3 (commencing with Section 820) of Chapter 1 of Part 2 of Division 3.6 of Title 1. Those rights and immunities are deemed to have attached and shall attach as of the date of appointment of a member to the advisory body. This provision shall apply to members appointed to the Engineering Criteria Review Board (14 Cal. Adm. Code 10298), the Design Review Board (14 Cal. Adm. Code 10295), and any other advisory bodies created pursuant to Sections 66633 and 66636.
Added by Stats. 1965, Ch. 1162.
The commission shall, in addition to any funds which the Legislature may appropriate for planning activities of the commission, take whatever steps are necessary to attempt to obtain money available of such planning activities from any federal, state, or local sources.
Amended by Stats. 1969, Ch. 713.
The commission shall appoint an executive director who shall have charge of administering the affairs of the commission, subject to the direction and policies of the commission. The executive director shall, subject to approval of the commission, appoint such employees as may be necessary in order to carry out the functions of the commission.
Added by Stats. 1965, Ch. 1162.
Within a reasonable time, but not to exceed one year from the date of the first meeting of the commission, the chairman of the commission, in collaboration with and with the concurrence of the commission, shall appoint a citizens’ advisory committee to assist and advise the commission in carrying out its functions. The advisory committee shall consist of not more than 20 members.
At least one member of the advisory committee shall be a representative of a public agency having jurisdiction over harbor facilities, and another shall represent a public agency having jurisdiction over airport facilities. The advisory committee shall also include representatives of conservation and recreation organizations, and at least one biologist, one sociologist, one geologist, one architect, one landscape architect, one representative of an industrial development board or commission, and one owner of privately held lands within the San Francisco Bay as defined in Section 66610.
Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 618, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2005.
(a)When the executive director determines that a person or governmental agency has undertaken, or is threatening to undertake, an activity that (1) may require a permit from the commission without securing a permit; or (2) may be inconsistent with a permit previously issued by the commission, the executive director may issue an order directing that person or governmental agency to cease and desist.
(b)A cease and desist order issued by the executive director may be subject to the terms and conditions that the executive director may determine are necessary to ensure compliance with this title, including the immediate removal of any fill or other material where that removal is necessary to avoid irreparable injury to an area within the jurisdiction of the commission pending action by the commission under Section 66638.
(c)A cease and desist order issued by the executive director shall become null and void 90 days after issuance.
(d)A cease and desist order issued by the executive director shall be effective upon the issuance thereof, and copies shall be served forthwith by certified mail upon the person or governmental agency being charged with the actual or threatened violation of this title. A copy of the cease and desist order shall also be sent by certified mail to the owner of the property on which the violation occurred.
Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 618, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2005.
(a)When the commission, after public hearing, determines that a person or governmental agency has undertaken, or is threatening to undertake, an activity that (1) requires a permit from the commission without securing a permit, or (2) is inconsistent with a permit previously issued by the commission, the commission may issue an order requiring the person or governmental agency to cease and desist.
(b)A cease and desist order issued by the commission may be subject to the terms and conditions that the commission may determine are necessary to ensure compliance with this title, including immediate removal of any fill or other material or the setting of a schedule within which steps must be taken to obtain a permit pursuant to this title.
(c)Notice of the public hearing on a proposed cease and desist order shall be given to all affected persons and agencies and the order shall be effective and final as to the commission upon issuance thereof. Copies shall be served forthwith by certified mail upon the person or governmental agency being charged with the actual or threatened violation of this title and upon other affected persons and agencies who appeared at the hearing and requested a copy. A copy of the cease and desist order shall also be sent by certified mail to the owner of the property on which the violation occurred.
Added by Stats. 1973, Ch. 766.
(a)Within 30 days after service of a copy of a cease and desist order issued by the executive director under Section 66637 or the commission under Section 66638, any aggrieved party may file with the superior court a petition for writ of mandate for review thereof pursuant to Section 1094.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure. Failure to file such an action shall not preclude a party from challenging the reasonableness and validity of an order of the executive director or the commission in any judicial proceedings brought to enforce such order or for other civil remedies.
(b)The evidence before the court in any proceeding to review an order of the commission described in subdivision (a) shall consist of the record before the commission, and in cases where it is claimed that the findings are not supported by the evidence, abuse of discretion is established only if the court determines that the findings are not supported by substantial evidence in the light of the whole record.
Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 618, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2005.
(a)Upon the failure of a person to comply with a permit or a cease and desist order issued by the executive director or the commission, or with any provision of this title, the Attorney General, upon request of the commission, shall petition the superior court for the issuance of a preliminary or permanent injunction, or both, as may be appropriate, restraining the person or persons from continuing any activity in violation of the permit, order, or provision of this title.
(b)The evidence before the court shall consist of the record before the executive director or the commission, whoever initially issued the order, and any other relevant evidence that, in the judgment of the court, should be considered to effectuate and implement the policies of this title. In every case brought under this section, the court shall exercise its independent judgment on the evidence.
(c)The court shall issue an order directing defendants to appear before the court at a time and place certain and show cause why the injunction should not be issued. The court may grant any prohibitory or mandatory relief that may be warranted.
(d)The court may stay the operation of the cease and desist order after notice to the executive director or the commission, whichever initially issued the order, and hearing. The stay may be imposed or continued only if it is not against the public interest.
Added by Stats. 2020, Ch. 220, Sec. 1. (AB 2809) Effective January 1, 2021.
The commission shall create and implement all of the following by the end of the 2020–21 fiscal year:
(a)A procedure to ensure that managers perform a documented review of staff decisions in enforcement cases.
(b)Timelines for resolving enforcement cases.
(c)A penalty matrix for assessing fines and civil penalties.
(d)A method for assessing civil penalties in cases involving multiple violations.
Amended by Stats. 1978, Ch. 1094.
(a)Any person or governmental agency who intentionally or negligently violates any cease and desist order issued, reissued, or amended by the commission or the executive director may be liable civilly in a sum of not to exceed six thousand dollars ($6,000) for each day in which such violation persists.
(b)The Attorney General, upon request of the commission, shall petition the superior court to impose, assess and recover such sums. In determining such amount, the court shall take into consideration all relevant circumstances, including but not limited to, the extent of harm caused by the violation, the nature and persistence of the violation, the length of time over which the violation occurs and corrective action, if any, taken by the person or governmental agency charged.
(c)The provisions of Section 66640 shall apply to proceedings to impose, assess and recover an amount pursuant to this article.
(d)Remedies under this section are in addition to, and do not supersede or limit, any and all other remedies, civil or criminal.
Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 618, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 2005.
(a)In addition to any other penalties, any person or entity who violates this title is subject to a civil penalty of not to exceed thirty thousand dollars ($30,000). In determining the amount of a civil penalty, the court shall consider the factors listed in subdivision (a) of Section 66641.9.
(b)In addition to any other penalties, any person or entity who intentionally and knowingly undertakes any activity requiring a permit pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 66632 without that permit, or who intentionally and knowingly violates any term or condition of any permit issued by or on behalf of the commission, is subject to a civil penalty of not less than one hundred dollars ($100), nor more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), per day for each day in which that violation occurs or persists.
(c)Except as provided in Section 818, whenever a person or entity has intentionally and knowingly violated this title or any term or condition of a permit issued by or on behalf of the commission, the commission may maintain an action, in addition to the actions authorized pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b), for the recovery of exemplary damages. In determining the amount to be awarded, the court shall consider the amount of damages necessary to deter further violations.
(d)In addition to any other penalties, a person or entity who negligently undertakes an activity requiring a permit pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 66632 without that permit, or who negligently violates any term or condition of any permit issued by or on behalf of the commission, is subject to a civil penalty of not less than fifty dollars ($50) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) per day for each day in which that violation occurs or persists.
(e)Civil liability may be administratively imposed by the commission in accordance with Section 66641.6 on any person or entity for any violation of this title or any term or condition of a permit issued by or on behalf of the commission in an amount that shall be not less than ten dollars ($10), nor more than two thousand dollars ($2,000), for each day in which that violation occurs or persists, but the commission may not administratively impose a fine of more than thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) for a single violation.
(f)Any moneys recovered by the commission pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the fund established and administered pursuant to Section 66647.
Added by Stats. 1987, Ch. 519, Sec. 8.
(a)The executive director of the commission may issue a complaint to any person or entity on whom administrative civil liability may be imposed pursuant to this article. The complaint shall allege the act or failure to act that constitutes a violation of law, the provision of law authorizing civil liability to be imposed pursuant to this title, and the proposed civil liability.
(b)The complaint shall be served by personal notice or certified mail, and shall inform the party so served that a hearing shall be conducted within 60 days after the party has been served. The hearing shall be before the commission. The complainant may waive the right to a hearing, in which case the commission shall not conduct a hearing.
(c)After any hearing, the commission may adopt, with or without revision, the proposed decision and order of the executive director.
(d)Orders setting administrative civil liability shall become effective and final upon issuance thereof, and any payment shall be made within 30 days. Copies of these orders shall be served by personal service or by registered mail upon the party served with the complaint and upon other persons who appeared at the hearing and requested a copy.
Added by Stats. 1987, Ch. 519, Sec. 9.
(a)Within 30 days after service of an order issued under Section 66641.6, any aggrieved party may file with the superior court a petition for writ of mandate for review thereof pursuant to Section 1094.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure. If no aggrieved party petitions for a writ of mandate within the time provided by this section, an order of the commission shall not be subject to review by any court or agency, except that the commission may grant review on its own motion of an order issued under Section 66641.6 after the expiration of the time limits set by this section.
(b)Upon request of the commission, the Attorney General shall institute an action in the appropriate superior court to collect and recover any administrative civil penalties imposed pursuant to Section 66641.6. The court shall accord priority on its calendar to any such action.
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