Government Code § 66498.4

Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, a property owner or his or her designee may seek approvals or permits for development which depart from the ordinances, policies, and standards described in subdivision (b) of Section 66498.1 and subdivision (a) of Section 66498.3, and local agencies may grant these approvals or issue these permits to the extent that the departures are authorized under applicable law.