Chapter 8.26
SEVERE WEATHER SHELTERS
Sections:
8.26.020 Determination of a severe weather event.
8.26.030 Permitting of severe weather shelters.
8.26.010 Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, certain terms are defined in this section.
A. “Manager” means the city of Kelso city manager or designee.
B. “Severe weather” means the following:
1. A period of two or more days where temperatures are forecasted by the National Weather Service (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) or actually reach thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit or below; and/or
2. Snow accumulation exceeding or expected to exceed three inches in depth; and/or
3. In association with severe weather warnings or alerts for temperature, precipitation, or flooding issued by the National Weather Service; and/or
4. Other conditions deemed severe enough to present a substantial threat to life or health.
C. “Severe weather shelter” means a building(s) owned and/or operated by a religious establishment, fraternal organization, public agency or other entity that meets basic building safety standards for temporarily housing homeless persons as determined by the city’s building official and the city’s fire marshal. Temporarily providing shelter is an accessory use to the primary use of the building (e.g., allowing persons to shelter from the cold in a space primarily used for religious services). (Ord. 3908 § 2 (Exh. A), 2018)
8.26.020 Determination of a severe weather event.
The manager or designee is responsible for determining a severe weather event as defined in Section 8.26.010. The manager or designee shall consult with the Cowlitz County department of emergency management when making a determination under Section 8.26.010(B)(1). The manager or designee is also responsible for determining when a severe weather event has concluded.
The manager or designee shall immediately notify the city council, city police department, fire department and Cowlitz County department of emergency management upon making a determination of a severe weather event. A list of known severe weather shelters shall be provided with the notification. (Ord. 3908 § 2 (Exh. A), 2018)
8.26.030 Permitting of severe weather shelters.
The manager or designee is authorized to issue a temporary use permit as provided for in the International Building Code Section 108 for severe weather shelters. The limit as to time of service for operating a severe weather shelter shall not extend more than two days beyond the cessation of the severe weather conditions.
A temporary use permit is required before operating a severe weather shelter. There is no fee for the temporary use permit. A notice of the temporary use permit issuance shall be given to the emergency service providers such as Cowlitz County department of emergency management, police and fire departments, and other fire and emergency response agencies and to social service organizations serving the homeless. Such temporary use permit may be valid up to three hundred sixty-five days.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to religious organizations to the extent they are exempted by the provisions of RCW 35A.21.360. (Ord. 3908 § 2 (Exh. A), 2018)