§ 16.52.091. Emergency shelters.

A.

Purpose and Intent. It is the purpose of this section to facilitate and encourage the provision of emergency shelters for homeless persons and households by allowing permanent year-round emergency shelters without a conditional use permit or other discretionary action in the industrial mixed use (IMU) and highway mixed use (HMU) zoning districts, subject only to the same development standards that apply to other permitted uses in these zones, except for the following requirements unique to emergency shelters, as authorized by Government Code Section 65583(a)(4).

B.

Permit Requirements.

1.

Emergency shelter facilities shall comply with all federal and California State licensing requirements.

2.

Emergency shelter facilities shall comply with all applicable Uniform Building Codes, Plumbing Codes and Fire Codes, including maximum occupancy restrictions.

C.

Minimum Site Design and Development Standards. An emergency shelter is subject to all property development standards of the zoning district in which it is located except as modified by the following standards:

1.

The maximum number of beds or persons to be served nightly by an emergency shelter shall be thirty-four (34).

2.

Off-street parking shall include one vehicle parking space per three beds and one space per employee on the largest shift. A covered and secured area for bicycle parking shall be provided for use by staff and clients, commensurate with demonstrated need, but no less than a minimum of eight bike parking spaces.

3.

Exterior lighting shall be provided for security purposes. The lighting shall be stationary, directed away from adjacent properties and public right-of-way, and of an intensity compatible with the neighborhood.

4.

Security shall be provided for residents, visitors and employees during the hours that the emergency shelter is in operation.

5.

On-site management shall be provided. The agency or organization operating the shelter shall comply with the following requirements:

a.

Temporary shelters shall be available to residents for no more than six months within a twelve (12) month period. The days of stay need not be consecutive.

b.

Staff and services shall be provided to assist residents to obtain permanent shelter and income.

c.

The provider shall have a written management plan including, as applicable, provisions for staff training, neighborhood outreach, security, screening of residents to insure compatibility with services provided at the facility, and for training, counseling and treatment programs for residents.

6.

Appropriately sized and located exterior and interior on-site waiting and intake areas shall be provided.

7.

Laundry facilities or services shall be provided that are adequate for the number of residents.

8.

Emergency shelter facilities shall provide a refuse storage area that is completely enclosed with masonry walls not less than five feet high with a solid-gated opening that is large enough to accommodate standard-sized trash and recycling bins, or other enclosures as approved by the director of community development. The refuse enclosure shall be accessible to refuse collection vehicles.

9.

The facility may provide one or more of the following specific common facilities for the exclusive use of the residents and staff:

a.

Central cooking and dining room(s).

b.

Recreation room.

c.

Counseling center.

d.

Child care facilities.

e.

Other supportive services.

10.

Organized outdoor activities may only be conducted between the hours of eight a.m. and nine p.m. for noise abatement purposes.

11.

An emergency shelter shall not be located within three hundred (300) feet of another emergency shelter, kindergarten through 12 ^th grade curriculum school, child care center, or park as measured from the closest property line.

12.

No individual or household shall be denied emergency shelter because of an inability to pay.

(Ord. No. 677, § 5, 4-13-2016)