§ 9148.10. Emergency shelters. — Carson Zoning Code

A. A single emergency shelter for thirty (30) occupants, or a combination of multiple shelters with a combined capacity not to exceed thirty (30) occupants, shall be allowed as a permitted use in the "ML" (Manufacturing Light) zone and "MH" (Manufacturing Heavy) zone; provided, that all of the requirements and development standards set forth below are satisfied. Any emergency shelter with a capacity greater than thirty (30) occupants shall also be subject to the approval of a conditional use permit.
B. Location Requirements. Emergency shelters shall meet the following location requirements:
1. Emergency shelters serving single adults or families shall be situated a minimum of three hundred (300) feet from another emergency shelter and one thousand (1,000) feet from a residential area, public park, public or private school (not including trade or technology school), universities, colleges, student housing, senior housing, child care facility, and business licensed for on- or off-site sales of alcoholic beverages to the public as measured from property line to property line.
2. Emergency shelters shall be located within one-quarter (1/4) mile of a designated public transportation stop.
C. Development Standards. Emergency shelters shall meet the following development standards:
1. Hours of Operation. The facility shall operate on a first-come, first-serve basis with clients only permitted on site and admitted to the facility between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. during Pacific Daylight Time, and 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. during Pacific Standard Time. Clients must vacate the facility by 8:00 a.m. and have no guaranteed bed for the next night. A curfew of 10:00 p.m. (or earlier) shall be established and strictly enforced and clients shall not be admitted after the curfew.
2. Waiting Area. Adequate waiting areas must be provided within the premises for clients and prospective clients including ten (10) square feet per bed with a minimum one hundred (100) square feet to ensure that public sidewalks or private walkways are not used as queuing or waiting areas.
3. Shelter Management Plan. A shelter management plan shall be submitted as a part of the permit application, which addresses all of the following:
  - a. Service providers shall maintain sufficient monetary resources to enable them to operate the facility per the shelter management plan, and shall demonstrate to the City prior to approval of the permit application that such funds shall be available for use upon first occupancy of the proposed project and shall reasonably be expected to be available for the life of the project.
  - b. A minimum of one (1) staff member per fifteen (15) beds shall be awake and on duty when the facility is open. Facility staff shall be trained in operating procedures, safety plans, and assisting clients. The facility shall not employ staff who have been convicted of a felony or who are required to register as a sex registrant under Penal Code Section 290 .

c. Service providers shall maintain up-to-date information and referral sheets to give clients and other persons who, for any reason, cannot be served by the establishment.

- d. Service providers shall provide criteria to screen clients for admittance eligibility, with the objective to provide first service to individuals with connections to Carson. 

- e. Service providers will maintain information on individuals utilizing the facility and will ensure that the maximum stay at the facility shall not exceed one hundred twenty (120) days in a three hundred sixty-five (365) day period. 

- f. Service providers shall continuously monitor waiting areas to inform prospective clients whether they can be served within a reasonable time. If they cannot be served by the provider because of time or resource constraints, the monitor shall inform the client of alternative programs and locations where he or she may seek similar service. 

- g. Service providers will educate on-site staff to provide adequate knowledge and skills to assist clients in obtaining permanent shelter and income, including referrals to outside assistance agencies. An annual report on this activity will be provided to the City. 

- h. Service providers shall provide for the timely removal of litter attributable to clients within the vicinity of the facility every twenty-four (24) hour period. 

- i. Service providers will maintain good communication and have procedures in place to respond to operational issues which may arise from the neighborhood, City staff, or the general public. 

- j. Service providers shall establish standards for responding to emergencies and incidents expelling clients from the facility. Readmittance policies for clients who have previously been expelled from the facility shall also be established.

k. Alcohol and illegal drug use is prohibited on site. Service providers shall expel clients from the facility if found to be using alcohol or illegal drugs.
l. The establishment shall implement other conditions and/or measures as determined by the City, in consultation with other City/County agencies, necessary to ensure that management and/or clients of the establishment maintain the quiet, safety and cleanliness of the premises and the vicinity of the use.
m. Other requirements as deemed necessary by the City to ensure that the facility does not create an adverse impact to surrounding properties.
n. On a monthly basis, provide an updated list of emergency shelter residents to the Sheriff's Department.
o. All graffiti on the premises shall be removed by the business operator within twentyfour (24) hours.
p. Installation of anti-loitering signs.

Client Restrictions. The emergency shelter operator shall not intake any person as a client if that person is wanted by the police or has a record of committing violent offenses. The emergency shelter operator shall also conduct a background check on all prospective clients using Megan's Law database and restrict client intake in accordance with State and local registered sex offender residency restrictions.

ictions. The emergency shelter operator shall not intake any person as a client if that person is wanted by the police or has a record of committing violent offenses. The emergency shelter operator shall also conduct a background check on all prospective clients using Megan's Law database and restrict client intake in accordance with State and local registered sex offender residency restrictions.

Maximum Number of Beds. No more than a total of forty-five (45) beds shall be provided on the entire property where the emergency shelter is located. Beds shall be provided for men and women in separate and secured areas.
No Alcohol, Drugs or Weapons Allowed. At no time shall any client be allowed to keep on site any alcoholic beverages, drugs or weapons of any kind. The manager of the emergency shelter shall conduct routine inspections of each client's personal space to verify compliance and report to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office any client that is found in possession of illegal substances, drugs, and/or weapons of any kind.
Personal Space. A minimum of thirty (30) square feet shall be allocated for each client bed.
Restroom and Shower Facilities. Separate and secured restrooms and shower facilities shall be provided for men and women with at least two (2) toilets, one (1) shower and one (1) sink provided for every twenty (20) clients in accordance with Building Code requirements.
Common Space. Interior and/or exterior common space for the on-site clients to congregate shall be provided on the property at a ratio of not less than fifteen (15) square feet per occupant or a minimum overall area of four hundred (400) square feet, whichever is greater. Any outdoor storage, including, but not limited to, items brought on site by clients for overnight stays, shall be screened from public view by a minimum six (6) foot tall decorative wall or fence. Shopping carts are not permitted on site.
Food Service Areas. The emergency shelter operator shall be responsible for compliance with all applicable Los Angeles County Health Department regulations in providing food service to its clients.
Parking. Off-street parking shall be provided at a ratio of one (1) on-site parking space for every eight (8) adult beds, plus one (1) additional space designated for the on-site manager. No client shall sleep or live within a motor vehicle on the property of an emergency shelter at any time.
Bicycle Racks. Bicycle racks that allow for the secure storage of bicycles shall be provided. Bicycle racks shall accommodate at least one (1) bicycle storage space for every eight (8)

adult beds. All bicycle racks are required to be located in an area that is not visible from the public right-of-way.

Lighting. Each emergency shelter shall provide exterior lighting on pedestrian pathways and parking lot areas on the property for safety. Lighting shall be shielded and/or reflected away from all residential areas and public streets.
Security. The emergency shelter shall be required to submit an on-site securing plan for review and approval by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office. The emergency shelter operator shall ensure that the approved security plan is implemented at the emergency shelter at all times.
Health and Safety. Each emergency shelter shall comply with all applicable local and State health and safety codes such as the California Building Code, California Fire Code, California Health and Safety Code and applicable zoning standards for the development and use of the property on which the emergency shelter is located.

(Ord. 13-1525 § 7)