(a) A person may submit a written request to the building department for a temporary exemption from the requirements of this chapter. The request shall be submitted on a form provided by the building official. The fee for the temporary exemption shall be as provided in section 362.1 of the County Administrative Code.
(b) A temporary exemption under this section shall only be granted if the applicant is able to establish that: (1) an exemption is necessary during a community event or some other event that benefits the public and the public benefit outweighs any harm that might result to the public or any private person or (2) the exemption is necessary due to an emergency that is behind the control of the applicant and that no other reasonable alternative exists. No temporary exemption shall be granted when the outdoor lighting for which a temporary exemption is requested has been installed in violation of this chapter.
(c) The building official shall have ten days from the date the applicant submits a complete request for a temporary exemption to approve or disapprove the request. The building official shall notify the applicant of the decision in writing.
(d) The temporary exemption shall be valid for no more than 30 consecutive days from the date the County approves the request. Upon request from the applicant, the County, upon receipt of evidence that a condition justifying the continuation of the exemption exists, may extend the exemption for up to an additional 30 consecutive days. The request for renewal shall be processed in the same manner as an original request. No exemption for an outdoor luminaire shall be granted for more than 60 days during any 12 month period.
(e) If the building official denies the request for a temporary exemption the applicant may request that the chief of the Building Division review the denial. The applicant shall submit the request for review in writing within 15 days from the date of the denial. The fee for the review shall be the same as the fee for the request for a temporary exemption. The decision by the chief of the Building Division shall be final.
(Added by Ord. No. 9974 (N.S.), effective 4-3-09; amended by Ord. No. 10691 (N.S.), effective 12-18-20)