Mountain House Municipal Code Ch. 8 Social Care Facilities

The intent of this Chapter is to provide special regulations pertaining to social care facilities in order to preserve the quality of care provided to people using the facilities.

(Ord. 2024-18, § 1(Exh. A), 2024)

The provisions of this chapter shall apply to the use types listed below. These use types are described in Chapter 4 of Division 1.

(a) Child Care Services: Child Care Centers

(b) Group Care: Large.

(c) Group Care: Adult Day Care.

(Ord. 2024-18, § 1(Exh. A), 2024)

The following shall be the standards and guidelines for the review and approval of social care facilities:

(a) Exterior Yard Area. A site plan, to scale, of the exterior yard area that will be used for social care purposes shall be submitted containing information as required by the Director of the Community Development Department.

(b) Outdoor Recreation Area. A minimum of thirty-five (35) square feet of outdoor recreation area shall be provided per facility user under two (2) years of age and a minimum of seventy-five (75) square feet must be provided per user over two (2) years of age.

(1) Areas which may not be included in calculating outdoor recreation area include side yards less than ten (10) feet in width and areas containing swimming pools, spas, or other water bodies unless covered and deemed safe pursuant to state regulations.

(2) Neighborhood greenbelt and park space may be used to satisfy the outdoor recreation area requirement if these alternative areas are located in immediate proximity to the facility, are appropriate for recreation, and proper insurance coverage has been obtained for them.

(c) Fencing. All outdoor recreation areas shall be enclosed by walls or fences not less than six (6) feet in height. Should existing fencing be less than six (6) feet in height, the Review Authority may approve such alternative fencing if, upon review of adjacent uses, supervision ratios, and facility floor plans, it is determined that the existing fence height will not be detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of facility users.

(d) Garages. Garages shall be prohibited as a social care facility recreation area unless:

(1) Alternative on-site parking is available to meet minimum residential parking requirements; and

(2) The garage is improved to meet building and fire code regulations as a habitable space.

(e) Outdoor Activities. Outdoor activities shall not be permitted before 7:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m.

(f) Public Service Access. The applicant has developed and will implement a public service access plan providing or arranging for transportation, as necessary, for group care residents or children. The plan shall specifically describe the means by which residents will gain access to bus and other public transportation routes, shopping locations, medical, dental, or other health care facilities, and government offices.

(g) Maintenance. The applicant will provide adequate exterior maintenance to the facility and surrounding yard and setback areas. This shall include a plan demonstrating provisions for regular yard and landscape irrigation and maintenance and other items of routine maintenance.

(h) Siting Criteria. Site approval applicants should clearly identify industrial operations within 1,000 feet of any social care services they propose to establish.

(Ord. 2024-18, § 1(Exh. A), 2024)