Mountain House Municipal Code Ch. 5 Residential Zones: Single-Room Occupancy

The intent of this Chapter is to regulate the development and operation of single-room occupancy (SRO) land uses. SRO facilities provide housing opportunities for lower-income individuals, persons with disabilities, seniors, and formerly homeless individuals.

(Ord. 2024-18, § 1(Exh. A), 2024)

The following definitions apply to this chapter:

(a) Single-Room Occupancy Facility. "Single-room occupancy facility" means any building containing five (5) or more guest rooms or units intended or designed to be used or occupied for sleeping purposes by residents, which is also the primary residence of those residents. The individual units may or may not lack either cooking facilities or individual sanitary facilities, or both. However, for purposes of this definition, an SRO facility does not include residential care homes, senior housing projects, rooming and boarding houses, hotels and motels, bed and breakfast lodging, extended care facilities, or hospitals.

(b) Single-Room Occupancy Unit. "Single-room occupancy unit" means the guest rooms or units within the single-room occupancy facility intended or designed to be used or occupied for sleeping purposes by residents.

(Ord. 2024-18, § 1(Exh. A), 2024)

(a) Single-Room Occupancy Units. The following standards shall apply to SRO units:

(1) Unit Size. The minimum size of an SRO unit shall be one hundred fifty (150) square feet and the maximum size shall be four hundred (400) square feet.

(2) Occupancy. Each SRO unit may house no more than two (2) persons.

(3) Bathroom Facilities. An SRO unit is not required to but may contain partial or full bathroom facilities. A partial bathroom facility shall have at least a toilet and sink; a full facility shall have a toilet, sink, and bathtub, shower, or bathtub/shower combination.

(4) Kitchen. An SRO unit is not required to but may contain partial or full kitchen facilities. A full kitchen includes a sink, a refrigerator, and a stove, range top, or oven. A partial kitchen is missing at least one (1) of these appliances.

(5) Closet. Each SRO unit shall have a separate closet.

(b) Single-Room Occupancy Facilities. The following standards shall apply to SRO facilities:

(1) Common Area. Ten (10) square feet of interior common space per unit shall be provided, with at least two hundred (200) square feet in area of interior common space, excluding janitorial storage, laundry facilities, and common hallways.

(2) Bathroom Facilities. If a full bathroom facility is not provided within each SRO unit, common bathroom facilities shall be provided in accordance with the California Building Code for congregate residences with at least one (1) full bathroom per floor. The shared bathroom facility shall be accessible from a common area or hallway.

(3) Kitchen Facilities. If a full kitchen is not provided within each SRO unit, common kitchen facilities shall be provided with at least one (1) full kitchen per floor.

(4) Laundry Facilities. Laundry facilities shall be provided in a separate room with at least one (1) washer and dryer per floor.

(5) Cleaning Supply Room. A cleaning supply room or utility closet with a wash tub with hot and cold running water shall be provided on each floor of the SRO facility.

(Ord. 2024-18, § 1(Exh. A), 2024)