Ventura Municipal Code Ch. 24.438 Operational Standards for Day Services Facilities

This chapter establishes operational standards for day services facilities to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of the community. (Ord. No. 2017-008, § 22, 4-17-17)

The operational standards set forth in Section 24.438.040 hereof shall apply to all proposed day services facilities. (Ord. No. 2017-008, § 22, 4-17-17)

All day services facilities shall require a use permit as provided in Chapter 24.520. (Ord. No. 2017-008, § 22, 4-17-17)

A. The following operational standards shall apply in addition to all other applicable provisions of this code, and other provisions of law.

1. Food Service Areas. The facilities operator 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.

2. Shower and Toilet Facilities. If toilets, sinks, and showers are provided on site, the facilities operator shall be responsible for ensuring that all restroom and shower facilities comply with the city’s building code requirements.

3. Hours of Operation. Each facility shall establish and maintain set hours of operation for provision of services. These hours shall be clearly displayed at the entrance to the facility at all times. Day services facilities shall not operate between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.

4. Outdoor Areas. The facilities operator shall ensure that all outside areas of the facility are maintained in a neat, clean, and orderly manner at all times. No outdoor storage shall be allowed.

5. On-Site Management. On-site management shall be provided during the hours the facility is open and accompanied by support staff. Clients of the facility shall not provide on-site management.

6. Operations Plan. The applicant or operator shall submit an operations plan for review and approval by the community development director in consultation with the police and fire departments. The operations plan shall be submitted and reviewed concurrently with the use permit application and approved by the decision-making authority. The operations 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 fire departments. The city may inspect the facility at any time for compliance with the facility’s operations plan and other applicable laws and standards.

B. At a minimum, the operations plan shall contain provisions addressing the topical areas outlined below:

1. Security Plan. With specific measures, including, but not limited to, a process to handle disruptive clients; to ensure that a security plan is implemented at the facility at all times and staff is fully trained to implement the plan. Security measures shall be sufficient to protect staff, clients, and neighbors;

2. Loitering Control. With specific measures regarding off-site controls to deter the congregation of clients in the vicinity of the facility during hours that clients are not allowed on site;

3. Litter Control. With an objective to provide for the elimination of litter attributable to the facility and/or clients within the general vicinity of the facility;

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

5. Communication Plan. With the facilities operator to designate a liaison to coordinate with police, fire, city officials, local businesses, and residents on issues related to the operation of the facility. (Ord. No. 2017-008, § 22, 4-17-17; Ord. No. 2021-017, § 47, 12-13-21)