Chapter 12.158 — LICENSED RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES

The purpose of this chapter is to implement the applicable state regulations in a manner that allows for the establishment of residential care facilities while preserving the character of the zone in which the uses are located. To protect the public health, safety and welfare, to preserve and protect the integrity of residential neighborhoods, and to ensure this code does not act as a disincentive to or unreasonably restrict the development of residential care facilities, residential care facilities shall be assessed, allowed and developed in accordance with the standards set forth in this chapter. (Ord. 2025-152, 8/18/2025)

• A. Large licensed residential care facilities shall be considered a residential use of property and shall be "P" Permitted in all primary residential zones in the City of Gonzales, and shall be "C" Conditionally Permitted in the MU Mixed Use and the MU-CC Mixed Use – Commercial Core zones. While "P" Permitted in the primary residential districts, such facilities are subject to an administrative level Site Plan requirement to demonstrate conformance to the development standards of Section 12.158.030 and the underlying zoning district.

• B. A large licensed residential care facility that also qualifies as supportive housing or transitional housing shall be subject only to those restrictions and development standards that apply to other residential dwellings of the same type (e.g., single-family or multifamily) in the same zone. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, if the facility qualifies as "supportive housing" as defined in Cal. Gov't. Code § 65650 (which has a different definition of "target population" than the definition in chapter 12.08 of this title), then the facility shall be a use by-right in all zones where multifamily and mixed uses are permitted and shall be processed as required by Cal. Gov't. Code § 65650, et seq.

• C. Small licensed residential care facilities and unlicensed residential care facilities shall be considered a residential use of property. Small residential care facilities, licensed, and unlicensed residential care facilities are permitted uses in all zones permitting residential uses in Gonzales subject to compliance with the restrictions and development standards for other residential dwellings of the same type (e.g., single-family or multifamily) in the same zone.

• (Ord. 2025-152, 8/18/2025)

The following development standards shall apply to a large licensed residential care facility:

• A. Development Standards. Unless otherwise indicated below, the large residential care facility must conform to the development standards for the zoning classification in which it is located.

• B. Accessory dwelling units. The large licensed residential care facility shall not be located in an accessory dwelling unit unless the primary dwelling unit is used for the same purpose.

• C. Kitchens. The large licensed residential care facility must provide either of the following:

  1. Congregate dining facilities; or

  2. Kitchens in individual units.

• D. Landscaping. The large licensed residential care facility shall provide minimum landscaped areas in accordance with the landscaping standards for the zoning classification in which it is located.

• E. Signs. The large licensed residential care facility shall comply with the provisions of chapter 12.116 of this title.

• F. Lighting. The large licensed residential care facility shall comply with the provisions of the lighting standards for the zoning classification in which it is located. Security night lighting must be shielded so that the light source cannot be seen from adjacent residential properties.

• G. Parking. The large licensed residential care facility shall provide one off-street automobile parking space per the greatest number of employees on duty at any one time, as well as a minimum of one off-street automobile parking space for every 10 residents for visitors.

• H. Common Areas and Open Space. The large licensed residential care facilities shall include at least 350 square feet of indoor or outdoor common areas or open space, plus five square feet per resident. The common area(s) or open space shall be furnished. Appropriate furnishings for indoor spaces include, but are not limited to, such items as lounge chairs, couches, tables with chairs, writing desks, and televisions. Outdoor furnishings include but are not limited to such items as outdoor benches, tables with chairs, barbeques, and shade coverings like arbors, patio covers, garden shelters or trellises. A central dining room shall be provided. The size of the room shall be sufficient to accommodate all of the residents. The minimum room size shall be the product of the proposed maximum number of residents in the facility multiplied by five square feet per resident; however, in no instance shall the central dining room be less than 350 square feet.

• I. Management. The large licensed residential care facilities shall have either:

  1. A manager who resides on-site; or

  2. A number of persons acting as a manager who are either present at the facility on a 24hour basis or who will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to physically respond within 45 minutes notice and who are responsible for the day-to-day operation of the facility. The provisions of this section shall be superseded by any management requirements imposed on the large licensed residential care facilities pursuant to state law.

ger who are either present at the facility on a 24hour basis or who will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to physically respond within 45 minutes notice and who are responsible for the day-to-day operation of the facility. The provisions of this section shall be superseded by any management requirements imposed on the large licensed residential care facilities pursuant to state law.

• J. Security. A designated area for on-site personnel shall be located at the main entrance to the facility for the purpose of controlling admittance to the facility and providing security. Emergency contact information shall be posted on the exterior of the facility adjacent to the main entrance, as well as on the interior in a location accessible to all residents.

• K. Personal Storage. Each resident of the large licensed residential care facility shall be provided with at least one private storage area or private closet, with a lock or other security mechanism, in which to store their personal belongings.

• (Ord. 2025-152, 8/18/2025)

The application for a large licensed residential care facility shall be submitted and processed in accordance with the requirements for residential developments in the zone in which the large licensed residential care facility is proposed, and with the requirements of Site Plan Permit or Conditional Use Permits. In addition, the application for a large licensed residential care facility shall include the following:

• A. Applicant Information. The name and address of the applicant, including the name and address of the lessee, if the property is to be leased by someone other than the applicant; and the name and address of the owner of the property for which the Site Plan Permit or Conditional Use Permit is requested. If the applicant and/or lessee or owner is a partnership, corporation, firm, or association, then the applicant/lessee shall provide the additional names and addresses as follows and such persons shall also sign the application:

  1. Every general partner of the partnership;

  2. Every owner with a controlling interest in the corporation; or

  3. The person designated by the officers of the corporation as set forth in a resolution of the corporation that is to be designated as the permit holder for the use permit.

• B. Owner Authorization. If the operator of the large licensed residential care facility is not the legal owner of the property, the operator shall provide written documentation evidencing the owner's authorization and approval to operate the large licensed residential care facility at the property.

• C. Parcel Information. The zoning and general plan designations and assessor's parcel number(s) of the site on which the large licensed residential care facility is proposed.

• D. Project Description. A narrative project description of the large licensed residential care facility that summarizes the proposed use and its purpose.

• E. Plan, Building Diagram and Floor Plan. A preliminary site plan, drawn to scale, showing the facility's building footprint and property lines as well a diagram intended to show:

  1. All building(s) to be occupied, including a floor plan for all rooms intended for residents' use indicating the number of residents per bedroom, the location and number of beds for all residents; and

  2. On-site parking, including designations of staff and visitor parking.

• F. Facility Users. The projected number and types of users of the facility, including, but not limited to, residents, staff, clients, visitors, and students.

• G. Transportation and Parking. Expected parking demand and vehicular use and the availability of and proximity to public transportation or other means to transport facility users.

• H. Management Plan. A comprehensive management plan, which shall include, at a minimum, the following:

  1. Detailed information on property management policies and operations, including information regarding maintenance and repairs;

  2. An explanation of how the large licensed residential care facility intends to meet the requirements of subsection I of this section;

3. An explanation of how the large licensed residential care facility intends to meet the requirements of subsection J of this section;

   4. A copy of the large licensed residential care facility's written resident intake procedures, including rental procedures and rates;

   5. A copy of the large licensed residential care facility's written termination and eviction procedures;

   6. A copy of the large licensed residential care facility's resident and guest rules; and

   7. If applicable, the large licensed residential care facility's plan for disposing of medical waste or other bio-waste.

• I. Licensing. Proof of all required licensing from the California Department of Social Services, the California Department of Health and Human Services, the California Department of Health Care Services, or other applicable regulatory agency, along with a license and permit history of the applicant(s), including whether such applicant(s), in previously operating a similar use in this or another city, county or state under license and/or permit, has had such license and/or permit revoked or suspended, and the reason therefor.

• J. Similar Facilities. A list of addresses of all other licensed facilities for which a Conditional Use Permit is requested in the State of California owned or operated by the applicant(s) within the past five years and whether such facilities have been found by state or local authorities to be operating in violation of state or local law.

• K. Project Review. The Community Development Director or Planning Commission shall review an application for the large licensed residential care facility and shall approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove of the application for the large licensed residential care facility. The decision of the Community Development Director or Planning Commission shall be final unless appealed to the City Council within the timeframes set forth in the Gonzales Municipal Code.

• L. Findings and Decision. The Community Development Director or Planning Commission shall only approve an application for a large licensed residential care facility if the Community Development Director or Planning Commission makes all of the findings required pursuant to the Site Plan Permit or Conditional Use Permit requirements and conforms with all provisions of this section.

• M. Design Review. The large licensed residential care facility shall be designed in context with the surrounding residential or urban character and shall draw from the City of Gonzales Neighborhood Design Guidelines. Architectural renderings and plans shall supplement the City's Site Plan review or Conditional Use Permit review.

• (Ord. 2025-152, 8/18/2025)