§ 20.420.040 TIME LIMITS.
   A.   On a zoning matter to be decided by the Director, such decision shall be made within forty (40) days after acceptance of the application or other initiation of the matter. An extension of this time limit may be made only with the consent of the applicant or body initiating the matter.
   B.   On a zoning matter initiated by application, the Planning Commission shall make its recommendation or decision within forty (40) days after opening its first hearing on the matter or, if no hearing is held, within forty (40) days after acceptance of the application. The Planning Commission may extend the time limit prescribed for its action only with the consent of the applicant and only to the extent such extension is not in conflict with other laws.
   C.   On a zoning matter initiated by the Planning Commission, the Commission shall act within one hundred eighty (180) days of such initiation, or such other period as may be requested by the City Council.
   D.   On a zoning matter initiated by the City Council and referred to the Planning Commission, and on any matter referred back to the Commission by the City Council after previous consideration by the Commission, the Commission shall act within forty (40) days after referral, or such longer period as may be set by the City Council. (See: Cal. Gov't Code §§ 65853 and 65857.)
   E.   For any zoning matter initiated by the City Council, the Council shall act within one hundred eighty (180) days of such initiation unless extended by the Council for good cause. For any other zoning matter presented to the City Council, the Council shall act within forty (40) days after opening its first hearing on the matter; or, if no hearing is held on the matter, within forty (40) days after the Council receives the matter; or, if referred back to the Planning Commission, within forty (40) days after receipt of the Commission's report or within forty (40) days after expiration of the Commission's time limit for such report. The Council may extend the period for its action for good cause shown.