A. Notwithstanding any other law, if a county 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 county 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 county 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 11-1605 unless another time frame is specified by a county ordinance or state or federal law. If the county does not take action on a submittal within the applicable time frame, the submittal is deemed approved, unless the submittal is incomplete, the county provides notice pursuant to section 11-1605 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 county, shall determine whether the approval criteria language is clear and unambiguous.