San Fernando Municipal Code Div. 18 SRO, Emergency Homeless Shelters

In the city's C-1 (limited commercial) and C-2 (commercial) Zones, a single room occupancy unit (SRO) shall be subject to the applicable regulations of this division, including the following standards:

(1) Unit size. The minimum size of a unit shall be 150 square feet and the maximum size shall be 400 square feet. A single room occupancy facility is not required to meet density standards of the general plan.

(2) 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. If a full bathroom facility is not provided, common bathroom facilities shall be provided in accordance with California Building Code for congregate residences with at least one full bathroom per every three units on a floor. The shared shower or bathtub facility shall be accessible from a common area or hallway. Each shared shower or bathtub facility shall be provided with an interior lockable door.

(3) 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 of these appliances. If a full kitchen is not provided, common kitchen facilities shall be provided with at least one full kitchen per floor.

(4) Closet. Each SRO shall have a separate closet.

(5) Common area. Four square feet of interior common space per unit shall be provided, with at least 200 square feet in area of interior common space, excluding janitorial storage, laundry facilities, and common hallways. All common areas shall comply with all applicable ADA accessibility and adaptability requirements.

(6) Laundry facilities. Laundry facilities shall be provided in a separate room at the ratio of one washer and dryer for every ten units, with at least one washer and dryer per floor.

(7) 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.

(8) Management plan. A management plan shall be submitted with the development application for an SRO facility and shall be approved by the chief planning official. The management plan must address management and operation of the facility, rental procedures, safety and security of the residents and building maintenance.

(9) Facility management. An SRO facility with ten or more units shall have an on-site manager. An SRO facility with less than ten units shall provide a management office on-site.

(10) Parking. Parking shall be provided for an SRO facility at a rate of one standard-size parking space per unit as defined in subsection 106-286(1) of this chapter, plus an additional standard-size parking space for the on-site manager.

(11) Accessibility. All SRO facilities shall comply with all applicable ADA accessibility and adaptability requirements.

(12) Existing structures. An existing structure may be converted to an SRO facility, consistent with the provisions of this section.

(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)

In the city's M-2 (light industrial) Zone, an emergency homeless shelter shall be subject to the applicable regulations of this division, including the following standards:

(1) Maximum number of persons/beds. The shelter for the homeless shall contain a maximum of 30 beds and shall serve no more than 30 homeless persons.

(2) Lighting. 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 an intensity compatible with the neighborhood.

(3) Laundry facilities. The development shall provide laundry facilities adequate for the number of residents.

(4) Common facilities. The development may provide supportive services for homeless residents, including but not limited to: central cooking and dining room(s), recreation room, counseling center, child care facilities, and other support services.

(5) Security. Parking facilities shall be designed to provide security for residents, visitors, and employees.

(6) Landscaping. On-site landscaping shall be installed and maintained pursuant to the standards outlined in section 106-345.

(7) On-site parking. On-site parking for homeless shelters shall be subject to requirements for similarly zoned industrial uses as set forth in subsection 106-278(d)(1).

(8) Outdoor activity. For the purposes of noise abatement in surrounding residential zoning districts, outdoor activities may only be conducted between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

(9) Concentration of uses. No more than one shelter for the homeless shall be permitted within a radius of 300 feet from another such shelter.

(10) Refuse. Homeless shelters shall provide a trash storage area as required pursuant to subsection 106-384(1) through subsection 106-384(3).

(11) Health and safety standards. The shelter for the homeless must comply with all standards set forth in Title 25 of the California Administrative Code (Part 1, Chapter F, Subchapter 12, Section 7972).

(12) Shelter provider. The agency or organization operating the shelter shall comply with the following requirements:

a. Temporary shelter shall be available to residents for no more than six months if no alternative housing is available.

b. Staff and services shall be provided to assist residents to obtain permanent shelter and income. Such services shall be available at no cost to all residents of a provider's shelter or shelters.

c. The provider shall not discriminate in any services provided.

d. The provider shall not require participation by residents in any religious or philosophical ritual, service, meeting or rite as a condition of eligibility.

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

(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)