(

a) Within days after the effective date of this part, the department shall develop the form of application that an applicant for a variance must submit. The department may amend the form as it deems appropriate. The application shall contain, at a minimum, the following information:

(1) A detailed description of the requested variance, including citation to the relevant subdivisions specified in

Section 113936.

(2) An analysis of the science-based rationale upon which the proposed alternate practice or procedure is based, to include, if and as appropriate, microbial challenge and process validation studies demonstrating how potential health hazards dealt with in those subdivisions that are relevant to the requested variance will be addressed.

(3) A description of the specific procedures, processes, monitoring steps, and other relevant protocols that will be implemented pursuant to the variance to address potential health hazards dealt with in those subdivisions specified in

Section that are relevant to the requested variance.

(4) An HACCP plan, if required pursuant to

Section 114419, that includes all applicable information relevant to the requested variance. (

b) An application for a variance shall be submitted to the department, and must be accompanied at the time of submission by the fees specified in subdivision (c). (

c) Each application for a variance shall be accompanied at the time of submission by payment of fees sufficient to pay the necessary costs of the department as specified in

Section 113717. Any overpayment by the applicant in excess of the recovery rate and other costs incurred shall be repaid to the applicant within calendar days after final action is taken by the department on the application.