Lafayette Municipal Code Art. 2 Senior Residential Care Facilities

This article applies to senior residential care facilities with seven or more qualifying residents, not including permitted health care residents.

(Ord. No. 598, § 2, 10-25-2010)

Except as expressly provided in this article, the land use standards for senior residential care facilities, such as yard areas and floor area, shall be those required by the underlying zoning district.

(Ord. No. 598, § 2, 10-25-2010)

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this article, residential care facilities shall have a total floor area that averages at least 350 square feet of floor area per resident, excluding parking.

(Ord. No. 598, § 2, 10-25-2010)

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, residential care facilities shall provide a minimum of 100 square feet of usable common area per qualifying resident. Indoor common areas and amenities designed to facilitate program activities may be counted towards this requirement up to a maximum of 75 percent of the total required.

(a) Any common area to be counted toward the requirements of this section shall have a minimum dimension of not less than six feet in any direction and shall be easily accessible to all residents.

(b) Outdoor common areas shall be designed to provide amenities and recreational areas compatible with the needs of the residents, such as pathways and sitting areas, flower and vegetable gardens, or similar active or passive recreation areas.

(c) Where additional stories prohibit easy access to common areas on the ground floor, the project shall provide open roof decks, balconies, or lanais in an amount, dimension, area, and location as deemed appropriate by the zoning administrator.

(d) The proposed improvement of all required common areas shall be designated on the plans submitted with the senior housing permit application and, shall be considered a required part of the senior housing permit, if issued.

(Ord. No. 598, § 2, 10-25-2010)

(a) Buildings or portions of buildings constructed as senior residential care facilities shall be required to provide one parking space for each resident in addition to one parking space for each employee during peak staffing.

(b) Existing single-family residences to be converted into residential care facilities shall maintain the existing number of parking spaces; additional parking to meet the requirement of subsection (a) above may be covered or uncovered.

(Ord. No. 598, § 2, 10-25-2010)

In order to approve a senior housing permit for a senior residential care facility, the planning commission shall find as follows:

(a) The proposed use is licensed by the state or county and conducted in a manner and with facilities that comply with Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations or any successor legislation. If the state or county license is suspended or revoked, the senior housing permit shall automatically also be suspended or revoked;

(b) The facility is specifically designed to include safety bars and rails in bedrooms and bathrooms, ramps, and other structural provisions for senior citizens as required by state law or federal regulations. In addition, such facilities shall include a common dining area as well as adequate common living areas and amenities to facilitate program activities; and

(c) The facility is specifically designed to have a residential appearance and is compatible with the character of the neighborhood, as determined by review of the applicable hearing authority. In residential zoning districts, signs, ramps and any other "non-residential" features shall be constructed so that they are not visible from the public right-of-way.

(Ord. No. 598, § 2, 10-25-2010)