2011 Arizona Revised Statutes
Title 9 Cities and Towns
9-835 Licensing time frames; compliance; consequence for failure to comply with time frame; exception

9-835. Licensing time frames; compliance; consequence for failure to comply with time frame; exception

A. For any new ordinance or code requiring a license, a municipality shall have in place an overall time frame during which the municipality will either grant or deny each type of license that it issues. The overall time frame for each type of license shall state separately the administrative completeness review time frame and the substantive review time frame.

B. On or before December 31, 2012, a municipality that issues licenses required under existing ordinances or codes shall have in place an overall time frame during which the municipality will either grant or deny each type of license that it issues. The overall time frame for each type of license shall state separately the administrative completeness review time frame and the substantive review time frame. Municipalities shall prioritize the establishment of time frames for those licenses that have the greatest impact on the public.

C. In establishing time frames, municipalities shall consider all of the following:

1. The complexity of the licensing subject matter.

2. The resources of the municipality.

3. The economic impact of delay on the regulated community.

4. The impact of the licensing decision on public health and safety.

5. The possible use of volunteers with expertise in the subject matter area.

6. The possible increased use of general licenses for similar types of licensed businesses or facilities.

7. The possible increased cooperation between the municipality and the regulated community.

8. Increased municipal flexibility in structuring the licensing process and personnel including:

(a) Adult businesses and other licenses that are related to the first amendment.

(b) Master planned communities.

(c) Suspension of the substantive and overall time frames for purposes including public hearings or state or federal licenses.

D. A municipality shall issue a written or electronic notice of administrative completeness or deficiencies to an applicant for a license within the administrative completeness review time frame. If the permit sought requires approval of more than one department of the municipality, each department may issue a written or electronic notice of administrative completeness or deficiencies.

E. If a municipality determines that an application for a license is not administratively complete, the municipality shall include a comprehensive list of the specific deficiencies in the written or electronic notice provided pursuant to subsection D. If the municipality issues a written or electronic notice of deficiencies within the administrative completeness time frame, the administrative completeness review time frame and the overall time frame are suspended from the date the notice is issued until the date that the municipality receives the missing information from the applicant. The municipality may issue an additional written or electronic notice of administrative completeness or deficiencies based on the applicant's submission of missing information. If the permit sought requires approval of more than one department of the municipality, each department may issue an additional written or electronic notice of administrative completeness or deficiencies based on the applicant's submission of missing information.

F. If a municipality does not issue a written or electronic notice of administrative completeness or deficiencies within the administrative completeness review time frame, the application is deemed administratively complete. If a municipality issues a timely written or electronic notice of deficiencies, an application shall not be complete until all requested information has been received by the municipality.

G. During the substantive review time frame, a municipality may make one comprehensive written or electronic request for additional information. If the permit sought requires approval of more than one department of the municipality, each department may issue a written or electronic request for additional information. The municipality and applicant may mutually agree in writing or electronically to allow the municipality to submit supplemental requests for additional information. If a municipality issues a comprehensive written or electronic request or a supplemental request by mutual written or electronic agreement for additional information, the substantive review time frame and the overall time frame are suspended from the date the request is issued until the date that the municipality receives the additional information from the applicant.

H. By mutual written or electronic agreement, a municipality and an applicant for a license may extend the substantive review time frame and the overall time frame. An extension of the substantive review time frame and the overall time frame may not exceed twenty-five per cent of the overall time frame.

I. Unless a municipality and an applicant for a license mutually agree to extend the substantive review time frame and the overall time frame pursuant to subsection H, a municipality shall issue a written or electronic notice granting or denying a license to an applicant. If a municipality denies an application for a license, the municipality shall include in the written or electronic notice at least the following information:

1. Justification for the denial with references to the statutes, ordinances, codes or substantive policy statements on which the denial is based.

2. An explanation of the applicant's right to appeal the denial. The explanation shall include the number of working days in which the applicant must file a protest challenging the denial and the name and telephone number of a municipal contact person who can answer questions regarding the appeals process.

J. If a municipality does not issue the applicant the written or electronic notice granting or denying a license within the overall time frame or within the mutually agreed upon time frame extension, the municipality shall refund to the applicant all fees charged for reviewing and acting on the application for the license and shall excuse payment of any fees that have not yet been paid. The municipality shall not require an applicant to submit an application for a refund pursuant to this subsection. The refund shall be made within thirty working days after the expiration of the overall time frame or the time frame extension. The municipality shall continue to process the application. Notwithstanding any other statute, the municipality shall make the refund from the fund in which the application fees were originally deposited.

K. This section does not apply to licenses issued within seven working days after receipt of the initial application or permit that expire within twenty-one working days after issuance.