Contra Costa County Municipal Code Art. 82-52.6 Permits and Fees

A person must obtain one of the following three types of County farmworker housing permits before operating farmworker housing:

(a) Farmworker Dwelling Permit. A ministerial permit is required before a farmworker dwelling may be established under this chapter. An application for a farmworker dwelling permit will be decided without discretionary review or public hearing.

(b) Farmworker Housing Complex Permit. A ministerial permit is required before a farmworker housing complex may be established under this chapter. An application for a farmworker housing complex permit will be decided without discretionary review or public hearing.

(c) Farmworker Housing Center Permit. A land use permit is required for a farmworker housing center. An application for a land use permit for a farmworker housing center will be decided in accordance with Article 26-2.20.

(Ord. No. 2017-14, § II, 9-19-17)

The following information must be included in an application for a County farmworker housing permit:

(a) The housing type.

(b) The number of residential units or beds.

(c) A description of whether the housing will be temporary, seasonal, or permanent housing.

(d) The number of farmworkers occupying the housing.

(e) The agricultural employer for whom the farmworkers will work.

(f) The agricultural workplace where the farmworkers will work.

(g) The entity responsible for housing maintenance and upkeep.

(Ord. No. 2017-14, § II, 9-19-17)

Farmworker housing for five or more employees is subject to the permitting requirements of the Employee Housing Act. A person intending to operate farmworker housing must obtain and maintain a permit to operate or an exemption from the California Department of Housing and Community Development, pursuant to the Employee Housing Act and the State Housing Law Regulations (California Code of Regulations, Title 25, Section 600 et seq.), before the County issues a permit for farmworker housing for five or more employees.

(Ord. No. 2017-14, § II, 9-19-17)

A holder of a County farmworker housing permit must submit an annual verification by May 15 of each year to the Conservation and Development Director on a form provided by the Director. The permittee must verify that all of the information provided in its permit application is still accurate and provide proof that its permit to operate or its exemption from the California Department of Housing and Community Development is in good standing.

(Ord. No. 2017-14, § II, 9-19-17)

Application fees, review fees, and permit fees for farmworker housing will be in amounts established by the Board of Supervisors in the Department of Conservation and Development's fee schedule. These fees are subject to the limits specified in Health and Safety Code sections 17021.5 and 17021.6.

(Ord. No. 2017-14, § II, 9-19-17)

(a) The issuance of a permit for farmworker housing does not authorize any other use. If the use authorized by a farmworker housing permit is discontinued, then the property must comply with all applicable zoning requirements that exist at the time the farmworker housing use is discontinued.

(b) Farmworker housing may be subject to other ordinances, statutes and regulations, including, but not limited to, those administered by the building department, health department, public works department, and agricultural commissioner's office. The establishment of farmworker housing under this chapter does not relieve anyone from the obligation to obtain all other permits and licenses required by this code or state or federal law.

(c) Farmworker housing must comply with the Employee Housing Act and, when applicable, the Mobilehome Parks Act (Health and Safety Code section 18200 et seq.) and the Special Occupancy Parks Act (Health and Safety Code section 18860 et seq.).

(d) Permits for the permanent installation of facilities to accommodate mobile homes and recreational vehicles must be obtained from the enforcement agency that enforces the Mobilehome Parks Act (Health and Safety Code section 18200 et seq.).

(Ord. No. 2017-14, § II, 9-19-17)