Chapter 156 — COASTAL ZONING REGULATIONS
§ 156.041 EMERGENCY SHELTERS.
Eureka Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Eureka
(A) Purpose and Intent. In addition to the objectives prescribed in § 156.002 of this chapter, this section is added to achieve the following purposes:
(1) To provide for the placement of emergency shelters within the city;
(2) To address the special needs and characteristics of emergency shelters;
(3) To insure housing provided by emergency shelters will meet building, health, safety and access standards;
(4) To provide sufficient open space, parking and circulation to meet the needs of the emergency shelter;
(5) To provide compatibility with other uses allowed within the zoning districts in which emergency shelters are located; and
(6) To provide a safe environment for emergency shelter residents.
(B) Shelter Permit Required. In accordance with the provisions of this section, a shelter permit application shall be approved by the City Council, and obtained prior to occupation of any qualified site by an emergency shelter, and prior to approval of either a building permit or a change of occupancy permit, if required.
(C) Shelter Permit Application Requirements.
(1) Application forms. Applications for shelter permits shall be filed with the Community Development Director, and shall be
on forms supplied by the Department for shelter permits. Applications shall include the following information:
(a) Name and address of the applicant;
(b) Statement that the applicant is the owner or the authorized agent of the owner of the property on which the emergency shelter is proposed to be located;
(c) Address and assessor's parcel number of the property; and
(d) Statement indicating the precise manner of compliance with each of the applicable provisions of the section and chapter.
(2) Maps. The application shall be accompanied by the following plans and drawings:
(a) A scaled site plan showing the existing and projected uses on the site, and including the existing uses on parcels surrounding the site for at least 300 feet;
(b) An accurate, scaled set of elevations and floor plans for the building which show how the building will meet required building standards; and
(c) Information detailing how the emergency shelter will meet the required site standards.
(3) Fees. The application shall be accompanied by a Conditional Use Permit fee established by resolution of the council to cover the cost of handling the application as prescribed in this section.
(D) Investigations and Reports. The Community Development Director shall make an investigation of the application, and shall prepare a report thereon which shall be submitted to the City Council.
(E) City Council Public Meeting. The City Council shall hold at least one public meeting. Unless otherwise directed by the Council, the City Clerk shall set the time and place of the meeting. Notice of the public meeting shall be given as prescribed in this chapter, when applicable, and shall also be given to the applicant.
(F) City Council Public Meeting Procedure. At the public meeting, the City Council shall review the application and the report provided by the Community Development Director regarding the application. Within 15 days of the close of the public meeting, the Council shall make a specific finding as to whether the emergency shelter will meet the standards outlined in §§ 155.040 (N) and (O) of this chapter.
(G) Action of the City Council. The City Council shall act within 15 days after the close of the public meeting. The City Council must approve the shelter permit if a finding is made that the shelter meets the standards listed in § 155.040 of this chapter. The City Council must deny the shelter permit if a finding is made that the shelter does not meet the standards listed in § 155.040 of this chapter. Within five days of the final action of the City Council, the City Clerk shall provide a written notice of the action to the applicant.
(H) Effective Date of Shelter Permits. A shelter permit will become effective ten days following the date on which the City Council approved the permit.
(I) Lapse of Shelter Permits. A shelter permit shall lapse and become void one year from the date on which the shelter permit becomes effective unless, prior to the expiration of one year, a building permit is issued and construction commenced and diligently pursued toward completion on the site which was the subject of the shelter permit application, or a certificate of occupancy is issued for the structure which was the subject of the shelter permit application, or the site is occupied if neither a building permit or change of occupancy was required.
(J) Renewal of Lapsed Shelter Permits. A lapsed shelter permit may be renewed for an additional one year, provided that prior to the expiration of one year from the date when the shelter permit or the renewal becomes effective, an application for the renewal is filed with the Community Development Department. The City Council may grant or deny an application for the renewal of the lapsed shelter permit. Divisions 155.040 (B) through (G) of this chapter shall apply to an application for the renewal of a lapsed shelter permit.
(K) Modification of Shelter Permit. All standards contained in § 155.040 of this chapter shall apply to an application for modification, expansion or other change to an approved shelter permit.
(L) Suspension and Revocation. Upon a violation of any applicable provision of this section, or of the conditions of the shelter permit, the shelter permit shall be suspended automatically. The City Council shall hold a public hearing within 45 days of such suspension, and if not satisfied that the regulation, general provision or condition is being complied with, may revoke the shelter permit or take such action as may be necessary to ensure compliance with the regulation, general provision or condition.
ns of the shelter permit, the shelter permit shall be suspended automatically. The City Council shall hold a public hearing within 45 days of such suspension, and if not satisfied that the regulation, general provision or condition is being complied with, may revoke the shelter permit or take such action as may be necessary to ensure compliance with the regulation, general provision or condition.
(M) Compliance with Development Standards. All emergency shelters located within the city shall comply with the development standards contained within this section. The application of the development standards shall occur at the time of issuance of a shelter permit approved by the City Council.
(N) Site Development Standards.
(1) Parcels selected for the placement of emergency shelters shall meet minimum parcel sizes for the zoning district in which they are located. Parcels must be available for use without the issuance of a variance.
(2) Buildings used as emergency shelter sites shall meet all handicapped access, health, safety, building and fire standards. Non-conforming buildings shall not be used for emergency shelters. Prior to occupancy, a Change of Occupancy permit, which indicates the building has met the required building standards, must be approved by the City Building Official. The Building Official shall determine the number of residents allowed to occupy the building. The Building Official shall also make the determination of ccupant loading using the Uniform Building Code, as adopted by the city.
(3) Buildings used as emergency shelter sites shall provide housing accommodations and needed support services to homeless persons on a day to day basis, with a duration of residency not to exceed six months. Emergency shelters are intended to provide interim, temporary housing to residents for whom other housing options are not readily available or affordable, and are not intended to provide long term housing needs.
(4) A minimum of one parking space for every eight residents, plus an additional one parking space for each two employees on a shift at the site, shall be provided on-site. All parking provided shall meet the standards for access, parking, loading, and landscaping provided in this chapter.
(5) Exterior security lighting shall be provided at all access points to the building and within all parking areas. Lighting shall be placed so as to light the interior of the parking areas, and shall be placed so as to not create glare or impact adjoining parcels.
(6) Signs placed on-site shall meet all requirements of this chapter. Sign standards shall be applied according to the zoning district in which the shelter site is located.
(7) No emergency shelter shall be placed within 1000 feet of any school or other emergency shelter.
(8) Any preparation, storage, or serving of food on the premises shall comply with the requirements for such use as required by the Humboldt County Public Health Department.
(9) Child-care provided on-site shall meet the standards required by the State of California for day care facilities.
(10) Open Space shall be provided on-site at a ratio of five square feet per resident. The number of residents shall be as determined by the City Building Official. The parking provided for the site, or any paved area, shall not count as required open space. Open space provided shall meet all other standards as required for other residential uses as described in § 155.035 of this chapter.
(11) Storage areas, including garbage and recycling areas located exterior to the building, shall be screened with a six foot opaque barrier acceptable to the city.
(12) Emergency shelters shall be located within 1000 feet of a bus line with pedestrian access available to the bus stop.
(O) Shelter Operation.
(1) Shelter operators shall either be a government agency, or a private for non-profit, or a non-profit organization which can demonstrate the ability to meet the standards required for shelter operation.
(2) Methods of demonstrating this ability shall include but not be limited to demonstrating past experience in operating the type of shelter proposed, oversight by another organization with past experience in operating the same type of shelter proposed, or the ability to obtain or otherwise meet the State requirements for operators of facilities for mentally disordered, handicapped persons, alcoholism or drug abuse facilities or for health/community care facilities.
(3) A minimum of one paid employee for every 30 shelter residents must be on-site during the hours of operation of the shelter.
(4) Shelter operators shall provide a program which details the supervision of shelter residents. The program shall include a means by which the surrounding neighborhood will be kept free from garbage, unattended or inoperable vehicles or other surplus items left by shelter residents. All such items left on-site at the shelter shall be screened as approved by the city.
(5) Shelter operators shall insure that the County Mental Health and Public Health Departments shall have access to the shelter site to provide direct services to the shelter residents.
(6) Support services which maintain separate offices at the shelter site shall meet the parking standards for their particular use as required by this chapter. Support services which share office space with shelter office space will be counted with that space for the purpose of determining parking requirements.
(7) Shelter operators shall provide a program acceptable to the Eureka Police Department which addresses the need for the coordination of police services to the site and the surrounding neighborhood. The program submitted shall address the need for private security personnel supplied by the shelter operators.
(8) Shelter operations shall comply with the ambient noise levels established at the shelter site.
(P) Emergency Shelter in Permitted Zones. Emergency shelters shall be allowed within the Service Commercial Zoning District
(CS), the Light Industrial Zoning District (ML), and the General Industrial Zoning District (MG) with the issuance of a shelter permit as prescribed in this section. Emergency shelters located outside of the Coastal Zone shall comply with Chapter 155. (Ord. 631-C.S., passed 9-7-99)
COASTAL ZONE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
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Ask AI about this code▸ Contents — Eureka Zoning Code
- Article I — NAME AND SEAL; FORM OF GOVERNMENT; BOUNDARIES; MUN…
- Article II — ELECTIONS
- Article III — CITY COUNCIL
- Article IV — MAYOR
- Article V — ORDINANCES
- Article VI — ADMINISTRATION
- Article VII — FISCAL ADMINISTRATION
- Article VIII — OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
- Article IX — FRANCHISES
- Article X — INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM AND RECALL
- Article XI — MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
- Chapter 10 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 30 — CITY COUNCIL
- Chapter 31 — CITY OFFICIALS
- Chapter 32 — CITY DEPARTMENTS
- Chapter 33 — BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES
- Chapter 34 — PERSONNEL POLICIES
- Chapter 35 — FINANCE, REVENUE AND TAXATION
- Chapter 36 — HEALTH FACILITY REVENUE BONDS
- Chapter 37 — ELECTIONS
- Chapter 38 — CIVIL EMERGENCIES
- Chapter 39 — CITY POLICY
- Chapter 40 — TRANSFERS OF CITY-OWNED REAL PROPERTY
- Chapter 50 — SEWERS
- Chapter 51 — SOLID WASTE
- Chapter 52 — UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICTS
- Chapter 53 — WATER
- Chapter 54 — STORM WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT AND DISCHARGE CONT…
- Chapter 55 — ENERGY
- Chapter 56 — STREETS
- Chapter 70 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 71 — TRAFFIC RULES
- Chapter 72 — STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING
- Chapter 73 — BICYCLES
- Chapter 75 — MOBILE VENDORS OPERATING UPON A STREET
- Chapter 90 — ABANDONED VEHICLES
- Chapter 91 — ANIMALS
- Chapter 92 — FIRE PREVENTION
- Chapter 93 — PARKS AND RECREATION
- Chapter 94 — HEALTH AND SANITATION
- Chapter 95 — MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
- Chapter 96 — PARADES AND ASSEMBLIES
- Chapter 97 — SMOKING
- Chapter 98 — STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
- Chapter 99 — TRAINS AND RAILROADS
- Chapter 100 — HARBOR REGULATIONS
- Chapter 101 — FILMING
- Chapter 102 — BEEKEEPING
- Chapter 103 — PRIVATE SECURITY AND FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
- Chapter 104 — MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE
- Chapter 110 — BUSINESS LICENSES
- Chapter 112 — AMBULANCES
- Chapter 113 — AMUSEMENTS
- Chapter 114 — CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEMS
- Chapter 115 — FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS AND OUTDOOR DINING AREAS
- Chapter 117 — MASSAGE PARLORS
- Chapter 118 — SOLICITORS, CANVASSERS, AND SIDEWALK VENDORS
- Chapter 119 — SECOND-HAND DEALERS
- Chapter 120 — TAXICABS AND LIMOUSINES
- Chapter 121 — OTHER VEHICLES FOR HIRE
- Chapter 122 — FOREIGN-TRADE ZONE
- Chapter 130 — OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC PEACE AND SAFETY
- Chapter 131 — PROPERTY OFFENSES
- Chapter 132 — DRUG OFFENSES
- Chapter 133 — WEAPONS OFFENSES
- Chapter 134 — ABATEMENT OF CHRONIC NUISANCE PROPERTIES
- Chapter 150 — BUILDING REGULATIONS
- Chapter 151 — AIRPORT ZONING
- Chapter 152 — PLANNING AND ZONING ADMINISTRATION
- Chapter 153 — FLOOD HAZARD AREA REGULATIONS
- Chapter 154 — SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS
- Chapter 155 — ZONING REGULATIONS
- Chapter 155 — ZONING REGULATIONS (old)
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▸ Chapter 156 — COASTAL ZONING REGULATIONS
Overview- § 156.001 TITLE.
- § 156.002 OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSES.
- § 156.003 NATURE OF COASTAL ZONING REGULATIONS.
- § 156.004 INTERPRETATION.
- § 156.005 APPLICATION; DEVELOPERS TO COMPLY; EXCEPTIONS.
- § 156.006 DEFINITIONS.
- § 156.007 INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE.
- § 156.008 DISTRICTS.
- § 156.009 DISTRICT BOUNDARIES.
- § 156.010 CONFORMITY REQUIRED.
- § 156.011 ESTABLISHMENT OF DISTRICTS BY MAP.
- § 156.012 DIVISION OF LAND USE AND ZONING MAP.
- § 156.013 DRAINAGE REQUIREMENTS; PURPOSES.
- § 156.014 DESIGNATION OF DRAINAGE CONTROL AREA.
- § 156.015 REQUIRED CONDITIONS.
- § 156.016 DRAINAGE CONTROL PLAN TO BE APPROVED.
- § 156.017 DRAINAGE CONTROL PLAN TO BE SUBMITTED.
- § 156.018 REFERRAL TO AND ACTION OF DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS.
- § 156.019 ACTION OF CITY COUNCIL.
- § 156.020 STATUS OF APPROVED DRAINAGE CONTROL PLAN.
- § 156.021 DRAINAGE CONTROL, MINIMUM FLOOR ELEVATION, AND SITE …
- § 156.030 BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL DISTRICTS.
- § 156.031 EXTENSIONS OVER PROPERTY LINES AND EASEMENTS.
- § 156.032 SITE AREA AND DIMENSIONS; REQUIREMENTS AND EXCEPTION…
- § 156.033 FRONT YARDS; REQUIREMENTS AND EXCEPTIONS.
- § 156.034 SIDE AND REAR YARDS; REQUIREMENTS AND EXCEPTIONS.
- § 156.035 TRAFFIC SIGHT OBSTRUCTIONS.
- § 156.036 PROJECTIONS INTO YARDS.
- § 156.037 HEIGHT LIMITS.
- § 156.038 ACCESSORY STRUCTURES.
- § 156.039 USABLE OPEN SPACE.
- § 156.040 SCREENING AND LANDSCAPING.
- § 156.041 EMERGENCY SHELTERS.
- § 156.050 APPLICATION.
- § 156.051 PUBLIC ACCESS STANDARDS.
- § 156.052 ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE STANDARDS.
- § 156.053 NATURAL HAZARDS STANDARDS.
- § 156.054 VISUAL RESOURCES STANDARDS.
- § 156.055 PUBLIC WORKS STANDARDS.
- § 156.056 DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS.
- § 156.065 WC — CONSERVATION WATER DISTRICT.
- § 156.066 WD — DEVELOPMENT WATER DISTRICT.
- § 156.067 NR — NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT.
- § 156.068 AC — COASTAL AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT.
- § 156.069 RS — ONE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS.
- § 156.070 RM — MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS.
- § 156.071 OR — OFFICE AND MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS.
- § 156.072 CW — WATERFRONT COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS.
- § 156.073 CN — NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS.
- § 156.074 CS — SERVICE COMMERCIAL DISTRICT.
- § 156.075 CP — PLANNED SHOPPING CENTER COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS.
- § 156.076 MC — COASTAL DEPENDENT INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS.
- § 156.077 ML — LIMITED INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS.
- § 156.078 MG — GENERAL INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS.
- § 156.079 P — PUBLIC DISTRICTS.
- § 156.080 PF/M — PUBLIC FACILITY/MARINA.
- § 156.081 PD — PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT COMBINING DISTRICTS.
- § 156.082 AR — ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMBINING DISTRICT.
- § 156.083 Q — QUALIFIED COMBINING DISTRICT.
- § 156.095 PURPOSES.
- § 156.096 APPLICABILITY; PERMIT REQUIRED.
- § 156.097 EXEMPTIONS; NOTICE OF EXEMPT DEVELOPMENT.
- § 156.098 CATEGORICAL EXCLUSIONS; NOTICE OF EXCLUDED DEVELOPME…
- § 156.099 APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS; FEES.
- § 156.100 ACTION ON COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT.
- § 156.101 PUBLIC HEARING ON DEVELOPMENTS; NOTICE.
- § 156.102 NOTICE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACTION WHERE HEARING CONT…
- § 156.103 PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE; COASTAL ZONE PROCEDURES.
- § 156.104 NOTICE OF DEVELOPMENTS NOT APPEALABLE TO THE COASTAL…
- § 156.105 RESERVED.
- § 156.106 DETERMINATION OF APPLICABLE NOTICE AND HEARING PROCE…
- § 156.107 REQUIRED FINDINGS.
- § 156.108 APPEALS.
- § 156.109 FINALITY OF CITY ACTION.
- § 156.110 FINAL CITY ACTION; NOTICE.
- § 156.111 FAILURE TO ACT; NOTICE.
- § 156.112 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACTION; EFFECTIVE DATE.
- § 156.113 EXHAUSTION OF LOCAL APPEALS.
- § 156.114 EMERGENCY COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT.
- § 156.115 AMENDMENTS TO COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMITS.
- § 156.116 LAPSE OF COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT.
- Chapter 157 — HISTORIC PRESERVATION
- Chapter 158 — CANNABIS
- Chapter 159 — WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES