Chapter 23.80
EMERGENCY SHELTERS
Sections:
23.80.030 Permit requirements and exemptions.
23.80.040 Development and operational standards.
23.80.010 Purpose and intent.
General Plan housing element identifies the City’s need to provide equal access to housing for people with special needs, including encouraging the development of emergency housing. It is the intent of this chapter to provide for adequate development and operational standards to ensure appropriate housing and services for special needs populations are met. [Ord. 24-2015 §11 (Exh. I), eff. 2-12-2016; Ord. 26-2006 §3, eff. 8-11-2006]
23.80.020 Definitions.
Terms unique to this chapter are listed in EGMC Chapter 23.100 (General Definitions). [Ord. 24-2015 §11 (Exh. I), eff. 2-12-2016; Ord. 8-2011 §33(A), eff. 6-24-2011]
23.80.030 Permit requirements and exemptions.
Emergency shelter facilities are permitted pursuant to the requirements of EGMC Chapter 23.27. Additionally:
A. Emergency shelter facilities shall comply with all Federal and California State licensing requirements.
B. Emergency shelter facilities shall comply with all applicable Uniform Building and Fire Codes, including maximum occupancy restrictions. [Ord. 24-2015 §11 (Exh. I), eff. 2-12-2016; Ord. 26-2006 §3, eff. 8-11-2006]
23.80.040 Development and operational standards.
Emergency shelter shall comply with all standards provided by this chapter.
A. Development Standards.
1. Location and Separation.
a. Emergency shelter facilities should be located within one-half (1/2) mile of a transit corridor or existing bus route.
b. All emergency shelter programs must be situated more than three hundred (300' 0") feet from any other emergency shelter or day program serving primarily homeless individuals or households.
2. Physical Characteristics.
a. The maximum number of beds for emergency shelters shall be one hundred (100) unless a conditional use permit is applied for and approved.
b. The maximum number of beds does not apply in situations of Citywide or Statewide designated disasters or catastrophic conditions.
c. Smoke detectors, approved by the Fire Department, must be provided in all sleeping and food preparation areas.
d. The facility shall have adequate private living space, shower and toilet facilities and secure storage areas for its intended residents.
e. The size of an emergency facility shall be in character with the surrounding neighborhood.
f. The facility shall have at least one (1) room, which has one hundred twenty (120 ft2) square feet of floor area. Other habitable rooms shall have an area not less than seventy (70 ft2) square feet. When more than two (2) persons occupy a room used for sleeping purposes, the required floor area shall be increased at the rate of fifty (50 ft2) square feet for each occupant in excess of two (2).
B. Operational Standards.
1. If the emergency shelter is proposed for location in an area either zoned or developed as a residential area, all intake and screening shall be conducted off site.
2. If an emergency shelter includes a drug or alcohol abuse counseling component, appropriate State and/or Federal licensing shall be required.
3. The emergency shelter shall provide accommodations appropriate for a maximum stay of one hundred eighty (180) days per client/family.
4. The emergency shelter shall identify a transportation system that will provide its clients with a reasonable level of mobility including, but not limited to, access to social services, housing and employment opportunities.
5. The emergency shelter shall include clear and acceptable arrangements for facility occupants, such as on-site meal preparation or food provision and disbursement.
6. The emergency shelter, where applicable, shall provide child care services and ensure that school-aged children are enrolled in school during their stay at the facility.
7. The emergency shelter 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 occupants.
8. Emergency shelters shall establish written expectations of residents – behavioral, medical, etc. Expectations of residents will be available to each resident at entry to the shelter, and to the public (upon request).
9. Emergency shelters shall have infection control policies in accordance with guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control covering but not necessarily limited to HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and tuberculosis.
10. Emergency shelters shall maintain a record of clients and visitors at all times. Clients will have immediate twenty-four (24) hour access to shelter staff and no walk-in services will be provided at any time in the safe house itself.
11. Emergency shelters shall provide on-site management and support staff at all times during shelter use. [Ord. 24-2015 §11 (Exh. I), eff. 2-12-2016; Ord. 26-2006 §3, eff. 8-11-2006]