§ 9-843 — Licensing; permitting; free speech or assembly; land use; density; time frames; criteria; clarity

A. Notwithstanding any other law, if a municipality requires a license or permit for any free speech or assembly activity or any activity that changes the use, appearance or density of a structure or land, the municipality shall specify in clear and unambiguous language the criteria for granting the license or permit, unless criteria are established by existing state or federal law.

B. A municipality shall approve or deny application submittals for the activities prescribed in subsection A of this section within sixty days after a submittal is deemed administratively complete pursuant to section 9-835 unless another time frame is specified by a municipal ordinance or state or federal law. If the municipality does not take action on a submittal within the applicable time frame, the submittal is deemed approved, unless the submittal is incomplete, the municipality provides notice pursuant to sections 9-495 and 9-835 and the applicant fails to complete the submittal.

C. In a court proceeding involving a denial of a license or permit for any of the activities prescribed in subsection A of this section, the court, without deference to a previous determination made by the municipality, shall determine whether the approval criteria language is clear and unambiguous.