Article 1 — Low Barrier Navigation Centers

The purpose of this article is to establish development standards for low-barrier navigation centers and to ensure this use is constructed and operated in a manner that is consistent with the requirements and allowances of state law, specifically Article 12 of Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Planning and Zoning Law commencing with California Government Code Section 65660 . (Ord. 26-479, 3/9/2026)

"Low-barrier navigation center" means a housing-first, low-barrier, service-enriched shelter focused on moving people into permanent housing that provides temporary living facilities while case managers connect individuals experiencing homelessness to income, public benefits, health services, shelter, and housing. "Low barrier" means best practices to reduce barriers to entry, and may include, but is not limited to, the following:

1. The presence of partners if it is not a population-specific site, such as for survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault, women, or youth.

2. Pets.

3. The storage of possessions.

4. Privacy, such as partitions around beds in a dormitory setting or in larger rooms containing more than two beds, or private rooms.

(Ord. 26-479, 3/9/2026)

The provisions of this article shall apply to all low-barrier navigation center projects. The entitlement shall be a ministerial action without discretionary review or a hearing. The city will notify a developer whether the developer's application is complete within 30 days, pursuant to Government Code Section 65943 . Action shall be taken within 60 days of a complete application being filed. (Ord. 26-479, 3/9/2026)

A low-barrier navigation center development is a use by right in areas zoned for mixed use and nonresidential zones permitting multi-family uses. (Ord. 26-479, 3/9/2026)

All low-barrier navigation center development shall meet the following requirements:

• A. Connected Services. It offers services to connect people to permanent housing through a services plan that identifies services staffing.

• B. Coordinated Entry System. It is linked to a coordinated entry system, so that staff in the interim facility or staff who co-locate in the facility may conduct assessments and provide services to connect people to permanent housing. "Coordinated entry system" means a centralized or coordinated assessment system developed pursuant to Section 576.400(d) or Section 578.7(a) (8), as applicable, of C.F.R. Title 24 , as those sections read on January 1, 2020, and any related requirements, designed to coordinate program participant intake, assessment, and referrals.

• C. Code Compliant. It complies with California Welfare and Institutions Code, Division 8, Chapter 6.5, § 8255 et seq.

• D. Homeless Management Information System. It has a system for entering information regarding client stays, client demographics, client income, and exit destination through the local Homeless Management Information System, as defined by C.F.R. Title 24 § 578.3.

• (Ord. 26-479, 3/9/2026)