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.

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Terms Used In Arizona Laws 9-843

  • Action: includes any matter or proceeding in a court, civil or criminal. See Arizona Laws 1-215
  • License: includes the whole or part of any municipal permit, certificate, approval, registration, charter or similar form of permission required by law. See Arizona Laws 9-831
  • municipality: means an incorporated city or town. See Arizona Laws 9-831

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.