Chapter 24.437

EMERGENCY SHELTER REGULATIONS

Sections:

• 24.437.010 Chapter description.

• 24.437.020 Applicability.

• 24.437.030 Standards for all emergency shelters – Minimal and full supportive services.

The San Buenaventura Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2026-005, passed February 17, 2026.

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Title 24 Zoning Regulations | San Buenaventura Municipal Code

This chapter establishes emergency shelter regulations in order to provide for the potential placement of an emergency shelter to meet the city’s unmet housing need for homeless individuals, disperse shelters throughout the city and in areas close to transit and services; and encourage the creation of emergency homeless shelters as needed. (Ord. No. 2011-010, § 26, 8-1-11; Ord. No. 2017-008, § 21, 4-17-17)

All operators of emergency shelters, with minimal supportive services, are required to apply to the community development department for the sole purpose of conYrming that the emergency shelter standards set forth in Section 24.437.030 are satisYed.

All operators of emergency shelters, with full supportive services, are required to apply for a use permit pursuant to Chapter 24.520, Use Permit Procedure. Emergency shelters, with full supportive services, must meet the emergency shelter standards set forth in Section 24.437.030. (Ord. No. 2011-010, § 26, 8-1-11; Ord. No. 2017-008, § 21, 4-17-17)

Emergency shelters shall comply with the criteria listed below, in addition to all applicable local and state health and safety codes such as, but not limited to, the California Building Code, California Fire Code, California Health and Safety Code, as well as any applicable zoning standards for the development and use of the property on which the emergency shelter is located.

• A. Number of Beds. The maximum number of beds permitted in an emergency shelter shall not exceed 55.

  1. Emergency Event Temporary Beds. The community development director with the concurrence of the city manager may authorize a temporary increase in the number of beds and the duration of stay when a severe weather event or other emergency event occurs. The exact number of additional temporary beds shall be determined during the use permit review.

• B. Vehicle Parking. O]-street vehicle parking shall be provided as follows:

  1. Shelter facilities within one-fourth mile of an existing bus route or rail station shall provide one space per employee (based on highest ratio of sta[ng on site) and one-half space per adult client.

  2. Shelter facilities beyond one-fourth mile of an existing bus route or rail station shall provide one space per employee (based on highest ratio of sta[ng on site) and one-half space per adult client.

The San Buenaventura Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2026-005, passed February 17, 2026.

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Title 24 Zoning Regulations | San Buenaventura Municipal Code

3. Shelter facilities that provide ongoing client transportation shall be allowed to count each client passenger seat as one-half parking space.

• C. Bicycle Parking. Bicycle racks that allow for the secure storage of bicycles shall be provided. Bicycle racks shall accommodate at least one bicycle storage space for every Yve adult client beds. All bicycle racks are required to be on site and located in a secure area that is not visible from the public right-of-way.

D. Intake Areas. If the intake area occurs on site, an enclosed or screened waiting area, such as provided in a courtyard building conYguration, shall be provided between the intake area and the public right-of-way. There shall be no queuing within the public right-of-way. Queuing within any parking lot is allowed only if the parking lot is not visible from the public right-of-way.

• E. Provisions for On-Site Management.

  1. On-Site Management. On-site management shall be provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week and accompanied by support sta]. Clients of the shelter shall not provide on-site management.

  2. On-Site Personnel. A designated area for on-site personnel shall be located near the main entry to the facility for the purpose of controlling admittance into the facility and providing security.

3. Client Restrictions. The emergency shelter manager shall not intake any person as a client of the shelter if the manager knows the prospective client has outstanding warrants for their arrest. The emergency shelter manager shall also conYrm that the client has no outstanding parole violations.

F. Personal Storage. A private storage area or closet shall be provided with each on-site bed. At no time shall any client of an emergency shelter be allowed to keep on site any alcoholic beverages or store any type of illegal substances, drugs, and/or Yrearms of any kind. The shelter manager shall conduct routine inspections of each onsite client’s personal space to verify compliance with this chapter.

G. Shower and Toilet Facilities. Toilets, sinks, and showers shall be provided on site. The emergency shelter manager shall be responsible for ensuring that all restroom and shower facilities comply with the city’s building code requirements.

H. Separate Housing for Families With Children. Families with children shall be housed separately from other clients and be provided separate restrooms and shower facilities.

I. Food Service Areas. The emergency shelter manager shall be responsible for ensuring that any food service or on-site meal preparation areas comply with all applicable requirements of the county health department.

J. Outdoor Storage. Emergency shelters shall screen all outdoor storage areas from all public rights-of-way and on-site and adjacent parking lots. The emergency shelter manager shall ensure that all outside storage areas be maintained in a neat, clean, and orderly manner at all times.

K. Spacing. An emergency shelter, with minimal supportive services, shall not be located within 300 feet of another parcel or lot with an emergency shelter. There shall be no spacing requirement for emergency shelters, with full supportive services, located in the emergency shelter overlay zone.

The San Buenaventura Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2026-005, passed February 17, 2026.

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Title 24 Zoning Regulations | San Buenaventura Municipal Code

L. Length of Stay. No client shall be permitted to remain at an emergency shelter for longer than six months in any 12-month period. Extensions may be provided if a client is working with social services agencies to secure alternative housing but no alternative housing is available.

M. Hours of Operation. Each emergency shelter shall establish and maintain set hours of operation for client intake and discharge. These hours shall be clearly displayed at the entrance to the shelter at all times. In the event an emergency shelter client is socially disruptive, a threat to the safety of others, or in violation of the emergency shelter facility rules during nonbusiness hours of operation, the emergency shelter manager may proceed with discharging that client immediately. Emergency shelters, with minimal supportive services, shall not operate, i.e., be open for service to clients, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

client is socially disruptive, a threat to the safety of others, or in violation of the emergency shelter facility rules during nonbusiness hours of operation, the emergency shelter manager may proceed with discharging that client immediately. Emergency shelters, with minimal supportive services, shall not operate, i.e., be open for service to clients, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

N. Exterior Lighting. Lighting shall be provided in all parking and exterior waiting areas and along the periphery of the building without lighting adjoining properties.

O. Grandfathering. Existing emergency shelters that were established by a conditional use permit with adopted conditions of approval for its operation shall continue to operate under those adopted conditions of approval and be supplemented by the provisions of this chapter. Should any conZict(s) arise with any operational requirement, the operational requirement(s) in the conditional use permit adopted conditions of approval shall prevail.

P. Full Supportive Services. Social services o]ered at an emergency shelter, with full supportive services, including intake, assessment, and individualized case management services for homeless clients, shall be located on site. Full supportive social services can be o]ered to persons other than the residents of the shelter as part of a use permit pursuant to Chapter 24.520.

Q. Submission for Approval. The applicant or operator shall submit a management and operations plan for review and approval by the community development director in consultation with the police and Yre departments. If the emergency shelter requires a use permit, then the management and operations plan shall be submitted and reviewed concurrently with that application by the decision-making authority. The plan shall remain active throughout the life of the facility, with any changes subject to review and approval of the community development director, in consultation with the police and Yre departments. The city may inspect the facility at any time for compliance with the facility’s operations plan and other applicable laws and standards.

R. Minimum QualiJcations. At a minimum, the plan shall contain provisions addressing the topical areas outlined below:

1. Operator QualiJcations. With a list of qualiYcations of the shelter operator to ensure the operator has demonstrated experience and qualiYcations to operate a safe and secure emergency shelter;

2. Ventura Police Department Coordination Plan. To ensure su[cient beds are available for use by the Ventura police department;

3. Security Plan. With the emergency shelter operator responsible for ensuring that the approved security plan is implemented at the emergency shelter at all times and sta] is fully trained to implement the plan. Security measures shall be su[cient to protect sta], clients, and neighbors;

The San Buenaventura Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2026-005, passed February 17, 2026.

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Title 24 Zoning Regulations | San Buenaventura Municipal Code

4. Loitering Control. With speciYc measures regarding o]-site controls to deter the congregation of homeless clients in the vicinity of the emergency shelter during hours that homeless clients are not allowed on site;

5. Management of Outdoor Areas. Including a system for daily admittance and discharge procedures and monitoring of waiting areas with a goal to prevent disruption to nearby land uses;

6. Communication Plan. With the emergency shelter operator to designate a liaison to coordinate with police, Yre, city o[cials, local businesses, and residents on issues related to the operation of the emergency shelter;

7. Screening of Homeless Clients for Admittance Eligibility. With objectives to provide priority to Ventura homeless persons;

8. List of Services OMered and Organizations OMering Those Services Along With Any Referrals to Outside Assistance Agencies. To ensure a full range of supportive services are o]ered to assist the residents of the shelter;

9. Transportation Plan. That addresses bus access, parking lot use, vehicle abandonment, shuttle services, and bicycle usage/storage. The transportation plan shall include details on o]-site shuttle pickup locations and times and a plan to minimize the time homeless clients spend waiting at the pickup location to reduce loitering. The selected pickup locations shall take into consideration community impact and safety considerations;

10. Litter Control. With an objective to provide for the elimination of litter attributable to the emergency shelter and/or homeless clients within the general vicinity of the emergency shelter;

11. Lock-Out Plan. That addresses how to house on-site clients that arrive at the facility inebriated or otherwise violate shelter rules with an objective of keeping both the client and general public safe by not releasing the client back out into the community;

12. Pet Shelter Plan. That addresses the care and sheltering of pets of homeless clients; and

13. Temporary Beds Plan During Emergency Event. Identify the number, location, and spacing of temporary beds and other support equipment for adequate building occupancy clearance by the Yre marshal and chief building o[cial.

S. Annual Report. A status report detailing compliance with the management and operations plan shall be submitted to the community development director annually as part of city business license renewal. (Ord. No. 2011-010, § 26, 8-1-11; Ord. No. 2017-008, § 21, 4-17-17; Ord. No. 2021-017, § 46, 12-13-21)

The San Buenaventura Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2026-005, passed February 17, 2026.

Page 498 of 1137

Title 24 Zoning Regulations | San Buenaventura Municipal Code