Chapter 17.108 — EMERGENCY SHELTERS

Sections:

17.108.010 Purpose and intent.

17.108.020 Definitions.

17.108.030 Location of emergency shelters.

17.108.040 Standards.

17.108.050 Expiration.

This chapter establishes use and development regulations for emergency shelter facilities in accordance with state law and the city’s adopted housing element. In accordance with state law, local communities have a responsibility to provide adequate sites for emergency shelters that serve homeless individuals and families. The goal of emergency shelters is to address acute needs of individuals and families by providing basic residential facilities and may include programs, which help residents find available social services. Consistent with the findings of the state legislature, the city recognizes the need for and the benefit of temporary housing and services for homeless persons and families. This chapter is intended to allow for the development of emergency shelter facilities in conjunction with specified uses and in particular zoning districts, subject to development and operational standards that minimize potential adverse impacts on nearby properties and the community as a whole. (Ord. 970 § 2 (part), 2002)

For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meaning respectively ascribed to them in this section.

“Emergency shelter” means a temporary residential facility, which provides overnight accommodations and incidental services for homeless persons and/or families on a short-term basis.

“Religious facility” means a building used for the assembly of people for public worship or other religious ceremonies. Buildings used for residential, educational, recreational or other uses not normally associated with worship are excluded. (Ord. 970 § 2 (part), 2002)

Emergency shelters are permitted in conjunction with religious facilities, subject to the location restrictions identified in this section. Emergency shelters are further permitted by right in the neighborhood apartment (R-3) and general apartment (R-4) districts as an allowed use. Emergency shelters are also permitted within the city’s industrial zoning districts (light industrial (M-1), general industrial (M-2), and limited manufacturing (M-L) districts) with approval of a use permit in accordance with provisions of Chapter 17.60 (Use Permits) and subject to the location restrictions identified in this section. With respect to use permit applications, the city shall set the matter for public hearing within thirty days of receiving a complete application. Emergency shelters shall not be located within three hundred feet of any other existing emergency shelter facility. (Ord. 1146 § 2 (part), 2011: Ord. 970 § 2 (part), 2002)

In addition to the development standards in the underlying zoning district, the following standards apply to emergency shelters and each emergency shelter shall comply with the standards set forth in this section. In the event of conflict between these standards and the underlying zoning district regulations, the provisions of this section shall apply. Nothing in this section modifies the requirements for approval of a religious facility as otherwise provided in this code.

• A. Facility compliance with applicable state and local standards and requirements.

1. Federal, state, and local licensing as required for any program incidental to the emergency shelter.

• B. Physical Characteristics.

1. Compliance with applicable state and local housing, building, and fire code requirements.

2. The facility shall have on-site security during all hours when the shelter is open. 
   

3. Facilities shall provide exterior lighting on pedestrian pathways and parking lot areas on the property. Lighting shall reflect away from residential areas and public streets.

4. Facilities shall provide secure areas for personal property.

5. If the emergency shelter is proposed in conjunction with a religious facility, the area utilized for emergency shelter facilities may not exceed fifty percent of the total floor area used for the religious facility.

6. Where a day care facility or elementary or middle school is operated on the same site as an emergency shelter, the day care and school facilities must be separated from the emergency shelter facilities by means to prevent access from one facility to the other.

C. Limited Number of Beds per Facility. Emergency shelters accessory to a religious facility shall not exceed twenty beds. Other emergency shelters located in the city’s residential or industrial zoning districts shall not exceed forty beds.

• D. Limited Terms of Stay. The maximum term of staying at an emergency shelter is six months in a consecutive twelve-month period.

• E. Parking. The emergency shelter shall provide on-site parking at a rate of two spaces per facility for staff plus one space per six occupants allowed at the maximum capacity.

F. Emergency Shelter Management. A management plan is required for all emergency shelters to address management experience, good neighbor issues, transportation, client supervision, client services, and food services. Such plan shall be submitted to and approved by the planning, inspections, and permitting department prior to operation of the emergency shelter. The plan shall include a floor plan that demonstrates compliance with the physical standards of this chapter. The operator of each emergency shelter shall annually submit the management plan to the planning, inspections and permitting department with updated information for review and approval. The city council may establish a fee by resolution to cover the administrative cost of review of the required management plan. (Ord. 1146 § 2 (part), 2011: Ord. 970 § 2 (part), 2002)

Unless a building permit has been issued for the development within one year after the granting of the conditional use permit, as required by this chapter, or such further time as the commission shall allow, then without further action the conditional use permit shall be null and void. (Ord. 970 § 2 (part), 2002)

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