Chapter 21.39 — EMERGENCY SHELTER OVERLAY (ESO) ZONING DISTRICT

The purpose of the emergency shelter overlay zoning district is to provide opportunities for the development and/or operation of emergency housing for those persons in need. This section of the La Mirada Zoning Ordinance implements the state's requirements that govern the establishment of emergency shelters. For purposes of this section, an emergency shelter refers to a facility or use, which provides temporary housing (six months or less) for homeless individuals or families. No individual or household may be denied emergency shelter because of inability to pay. The term "temporary accommodations" means that a person or family will be allowed to reside at the shelter for a time period not to exceed six months. For purpose of this definition, “emergency shelter” shall include other interim interventions, including, but not limited to, a navigation center, bridge housing, and respite or recuperative care, and a "provider" shall mean a government agency or private non-profit organization that provides or contracts with recognized community organizations to provide emergency or temporary shelter, and which may also provide meals, counseling and other services, as well as common areas for residents of the facility. (Ord. 736, § 5 (part), 2025; Ord. 661 § 8 (part), 2012).

The emergency shelter overlay zoning district applies to properties identified on the official zoning map as being within the overlay zone. (Ord. 736, § 5 (part), 2025; Ord. 661 § 8 (part), 2012).

The director shall ministerially review, without a hearing, an application for an emergency shelter development project pursuant to this chapter and Government Code Section 65583 and shall approve the application if the criteria in this Chapter are satisfied. (Ord. 736§ , § 5 (part), 2025).

Emergency shelters shall comply with the following development standards:

• (a) Adequate external lighting shall be provided for security purposes. The lighting shall be stationary, directed away from adjacent properties and public rights-of-way, and of intensity compatible with the neighborhood.

• (b) The development shall provide laundry facilities or services adequate for the number of residents.

• (c) The development may provide one or more of the following specific common facilities for the exclusive use of the residents and staff:

1. Central cooking and dining room(s).

2. Recreation room.

3. Counseling center.

4. Child care facilities.

5. Other support services.

• (d) Parking and outdoor facilities shall be designed to provide security for residents, visitors and employees.

• (e) On-site parking shall be supplied at a ratio of one space for every employee.

(f) For the purposes of noise abatement, organized outdoor activities may only be conducted between the hours of eight (8) a.m. and ten (10) p.m.

(g) Emergency shelters shall provide a refuse storage area that is completely enclosed with masonry walls not less than six (6) feet high with a solid-gated opening and that is large enough to accommodate a standard-sized trash bin adequate for use on the parcel, or other enclosures as approved by the community development director or his or her designee. The refuse enclosure shall be accessible to refuse collection vehicles.

• (h) The agency or organization operating the shelter shall comply with the following requirements:

1. Temporary shelter shall be available to residents for no more than six (6) months.

2. Staff and services shall be provided to assist residents to obtain permanent shelter and income.

3. The provider shall have a written management plan including, as applicable, provisions for staff training, neighborhood outreach, security, screening of residents to insure compatibility with services provided at the facility, and for training, counseling, and treatment programs for residents.

4. The site shall be kept free of rubbish and debris at all times.

5. The operator may provide a storage area for the temporary storage of personal items of the clients. This storage area shall not be visible from the right-of-way.

(i) The shelter shall contain no more than five beds per 1,000 square feet of lot size, but no greater than a maximum number of 150 beds. Shelters shall not serve more persons than they have beds. (Ord. 736, § 5 (part), 2025; Ord. 661 § 8 (part), 2012).