Chapter 17.42 — EMERGENCY SHELTERS

The purpose of this chapter is to establish standards of operation for emergency shelters that assure compatibility of shelter activities with surrounding uses and provide a safe place for individuals and families to obtain temporary shelter. This section complies with California Government Code Section 65583(a)(4) , which requires that emergency shelters be permitted by-right in at least one zoning district in the City, with sufficient capacity to accommodate the local need for emergency shelters.

This chapter applies to all emergency shelters as defined in Part 7 (Definitions).

• A. The review authority for emergency shelters shall depend on the permit required by the zone in which the emergency shelter is proposed, as provided in Part 2 (Zoning Districts, Land Uses, and Development Standards). Refer to Part 5 (Land Use and Development Approval Procedures) of the Zoning Ordinance for permit application procedures.

• B. The review authority shall be guided by the provisions of this chapter when reviewing an emergency shelter application, in addition to the standards of the zone in which the emergency shelter is proposed.

• A. The applicant or operator shall submit a Management and Operation Plan for the emergency shelter for review and approval by the reviewing authority in consultation with the chief of police, as part of the application review process, prior to issuance of permits. The Operation Plan shall be based on Best Practices and include, but not be limited to:

  1. A security plan;

  2. List of services;

  3. Staff training;

  4. Client transport;

  5. Ratio of staff to clients;

  6. Client eligibility and intake and check out process;

  7. Hours of operation;

  8. Refuse collection;

  9. Separation of sleeping areas and restrooms by gender and for families;

  10. Bed bug prevention;

  11. Enforcement of rules and procedures for disruptive clients; and

  12. An outreach plan.

• B. The Operation Plan shall remain active throughout the life of the facility.

• C. The City may inspect the facility at any time for compliance with the facility's Operation Plan and other applicable laws and standards.

• A. Inability to Pay. No individual or household may be denied emergency shelter because of an inability to pay.

• B. Separation Criteria. An emergency shelter shall not be located within 300 feet of another emergency shelter, as measured from the closest property line. An emergency shelter shall be located within ½ mile of a transit stop. Emergency shelters shall be located at least 500 feet from any child care center or kindergarten through 12th grade curriculum school, as measured from the closest property line. An exception to this separation requirement may be granted if significant physical features act as barriers from said sensitive uses.

• C. Abutting Residential. When abutting a residential use or residentially-zoned property, all areas for shelter activities and uses, including, but not limited to, waiting and intake, personal storage, facility storage, and recreation, shall be located indoors.

• D. Occupancy. The number of beds shall be limited to 30. Any emergency shelter requesting more than 30 beds shall require a Conditional Use Permit, and shall find that:

  1. A larger shelter facility will help meet the City's goals pertaining to emergency housing of the homeless;

  2. The circumstances of the subject property make the larger facility appropriate; and

  3. Design features will minimize impacts of the surrounding area.

• E. Parking. One vehicle parking space shall be provided per five beds. A covered and secured area for bicycle parking shall be provided for use by staff and clients, commensurate with demonstrated need.

• F. Waiting and Intake Area. A client waiting and intake area shall be provided and contain a minimum of 10 square feet per bed provided at the facility. The client waiting and intake area shall be screened from the public right-of-way, and shall be sufficient in size to accommodate all persons waiting to enter the facility.

• G. On-Site Management. On-site management shall be provided during the hours that the emergency shelter is in operation and at least one hour prior to and one hour after operation hours.

• H. Support Services. Emergency shelters shall allocate sufficient areas on site, outside of any required landscape areas, to provide the following minimal support services:

  1. Food preparation and dining areas;

  2. Laundry facilities;

  3. Restrooms and showers;

  4. Areas to secure and store client belongings;

  5. Indoor and outdoor recreational facilities and/or open space; and

  6. A private area for providing referral services to assist shelter clients in entering programs aimed at obtaining permanent shelter and income. Referral services refers to the initial assessment of a homeless client to identify the areas in which assistance is needed, and connecting clients with appropriate off-site programs and services depending on their need.

• I. Length of Stay. The length of stay for each individual at any emergency shelter shall not exceed 90 days within a 12 month period, but extensions up to a total stay of six months within a 12 month period may be provided if no alternative housing is available; days of stay need not be consecutive.

• J. Lighting. Lighting shall be provided in all exterior areas, including pathways, parking areas, courtyards, rear yard areas, and spaces between structures, and shall be directed in a manner that does not cast light onto neighboring properties.

• K. Trash Enclosure and Loading Zone. Each facility shall have a trash enclosure and loading zone. The trash enclosure shall be completely enclosed with masonry walls not less than five feet high with a solid-gated opening, and be large enough to accommodate a standard-sized trash bin adequate for use on the parcel. The trash enclosure shall be accessible to refuse collection vehicles.

• L. Security Plan. Security shall be provided during the hours that the emergency shelter is in operation. Security plans shall be submitted to City staff for review and approval prior to issuance of an occupancy permit. Security plans shall be resubmitted to City staff on an annual basis.

• M. Noise Abatement. For the purposes of noise abatement in residential zoning districts, organized outdoor activities may only be conducted between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., and no client shall arrive to the emergency shelter after 10:00 p.m.

• N. Applicable Laws. The facility shall comply with all other laws, rules and regulations that apply, including Building and Fire codes. In addition, the facility is to be consistent with the Cable Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan policies and standards, particularly as it relates to protecting sensitive uses from airport related noise levels.