Article III — STANDARDS FOR PROTECTED RESIDENTIAL USES

The purpose of this article is to establish objective standards for specific residential uses and activities that are permitted in several zoning districts to ensure that protection required by state and federal law is provided. These provisions are intended to minimize the impacts of these uses and activities on surrounding properties and the town at large and to protect the health, safety, and welfare of their occupants and of the general public.

(Ord. 885, passed 11-1-2023)

Low barrier navigation centers (LBNCs) shall be located, developed, and operated in compliance with the development standards of the zone where they are located and with the following operational requirements; they are then allowed by right with a zoning permit in areas zoned for multi-family and residential mixed use development.

(A) LBNCs shall comply with the requirements of Cal. Gov't Code § 65660 as follows:

(1) LBNCs shall offer services to connect people to permanent housing through a services plan that identifies services staffing.

• (2) LBNCs shall be linked to a coordinated entry system, so that staff who co-locate in the facility may conduct

assessments and provide services to connect people to permanent housing. In this context, a “coordinated entry system” means a centralized or coordinated assessment system developed pursuant to § 576.400(d) or § 578.7(a)(8), as applicable, of Title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as amended, and any related requirements, intended to coordinate participant intake, assessment, and referrals.

(3) LBNCs shall comply with Chapter 6.5 (commencing with § 8255) of Division 8 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code.

(4) LBNCs shall have a working system for entering information regarding client stays, client demographics, client income, and exit destination through the local Homeless Management Information System, as defined by § 578.3 of Title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

(B) The time periods for determining whether an LBNC application is complete and making a decision on a proposed LBNC shall be those set for in Cal Gov't. Code § 65664.

(Ord. 885, passed 11-1-2023)

General residential care facilities shall be located, developed, and operated in compliance with the following standards, where allowed by the land use regulations in Chapters 17.076, 17.080, 17.084, 17.088, and 17.090:

(A) Minimum distance from any other residential care facility: 300 feet.

(B) At least 20 square feet of common open space on-site shall be provided for each person who resides in the facility. Common open space shall include landscaped areas and walks and other amenities, such as, patios, swimming pools, barbeque areas, or other such improvements as are appropriate to enhance the outdoor environment of the residential care facility for its residents and visitors. Landscaped courtyard entries that are oriented towards the public street which create a welcoming entry feature are also considered common areas. All areas not improved with buildings, parking, vehicular accessways, trash enclosures, and similar items shall be developed as common areas with the types of attributes described above.

• (1) Minimum horizontal dimension: 15 feet

(2) Usability: a surface shall be provided that provides for convenient use for outdoor living and/or recreation.

(C) At least 15 percent of the common open space shall be shaded for seating areas. Such shading may be provided by canopy trees or shade structures.

• (Ord. 885, passed 11-1-2023)

Supportive housing shall be located, developed, and operated in compliance with the following standards, where allowed by the land use regulations in Chapters 17.076, 17.080, 17.084, 17.088, and 17.090:

(A) Supportive housing shall only be subject to the development standards that apply to other residential uses in the zone where such housing is proposed. The maximum number of allowable dwelling units or guest rooms for supportive housing shall be the same as the number allowed for residential development projects in the zone where the supportive housing project is proposed unless a density bonus is granted under Chapter 17.050 or the land use regulations for specific zone specify another limit.

(B) Supportive housing may be provided in a multiple-unit structure or group residential facility.

(C) Only a zoning permit and design review is required for supportive housing projects.

(D) Applicants shall comply with all federal and California state licensing requirements and applicable building codes and fire codes, including maximum occupancy restrictions. No limits shall be established on the length of stay.

(E) Supportive housing facilities shall have the minimum amount of living space that meets the standards for an efficiency unit, shower and toilet facilities, laundry facilities, and secure storage areas for intended residents.

(F) Recreation rooms at least 600 square feet in area for a development of 16 or more dwelling units or guest rooms, or at least 400 square feet in area for a development of fewer than 16 dwelling units or guest rooms, may qualify as common open space, but shall not qualify for more than 40 percent of the total required open space.

(G) At least 90 square feet of space shall be provided as office space for on-site supportive services, which may include counseling, access to social services, medical and mental health care, housing and employment opportunities. Supportive services provided on-site are considered an accessory use and not subject to any additional standards or permitting requirements.

(Ord. 885, passed 11-1-2023)

Transitional housing shall be located, developed, and operated in compliance with the following standards, where allowed by the land use regulations in Chapters 17.076, 17.080, 17.084, 17.088, and 17.090:

(A) Transitional housing shall only be subject to the development standards that apply to other residential uses in the zone where such housing is proposed. The maximum number of allowable dwelling units for transitional housing shall be the same as number allowed for residential development projects in the zone where the transitional housing project is proposed unless a density bonus is granted under Chapter 17.050 or the land or the land use regulations for specific zone specify another limit.

(B) Transitional housing may be provided in a variety of rental housing types (e.g., multiple-unit dwelling, single-room occupancy, group residential, or single unit dwelling).

(C) Transitional housing providing accommodations for six or fewer individuals shall be deemed a single-family use; only a zoning permit and design review is required.

(D) Transitional housing providing accommodations for more than six individuals also is a permitted use in zones where multifamily and mixed use development is allowed and shall require a zoning permit and design review.

(E) No individual or family shall reside in transitional housing for more than 24 months. A minimum of 60 days shall be required between stays. The operator of the transitional housing shall maintain adequate documentation to demonstrate compliance with this provision.

(F) Applicants shall comply with all federal and California state licensing requirements and applicable building codes and fire codes, including maximum occupancy restrictions.

(G) Transitional housing facilities shall have the minimum amount of living space that meets the standards for an efficiency unit, shower and toilet facilities, laundry facilities, and secure storage areas for intended residents.

(H) Transitional housing may include office space for on-site supportive services, such as counseling, access to social services, medical and mental health care, housing and employment opportunities. On-site supportive services are considered an accessory use and not subject to any additional standards or permitting requirements.

(Ord. 885, passed 11-1-2023)