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Sec. 9-3.550. Supportive housing facilities.

   (a)  Purpose and intent. The City finds and determines that the purpose and intent of this section is to provide appropriate areas within the City to locate supportive housing facilities that may include transitional housing, emergency homeless shelters, and/or accommodate a year-round emergency homeless shelter; and as required by Senate Bill No. 2.

   (b)  Applicability. The requirements of this section apply to all supportive housing, as defined in Appendix A Definitions.

   (c)  Development standards. Emergency shelter establishments shall comply with all development standards set forth in Section 9-3.307 Public and Institutional District, as well as the following development standards:

   (1)  Capacity. No more than one bed per 250 square feet of gross building space.

   (2)  Off-street parking. Unless otherwise provided herein or in applicable land use regulatory documents, off-street parking shall be provided at the rate of one space for each three (3) beds. The design and location of entrances and off-street parking shall be consistent with the provisions of Section 9-3.535 Parking.

   (3)  Size and location of on-site waiting areas and client intake areas. An on-site waiting area must be clearly identified for all clients. The waiting area is to be no larger than two (2) square feet for every one bed provided. The waiting area is to be screened from all public right-of-way areas with landscaping to the extent feasible. The client intake area shall be located directly adjacent to the on-site waiting area.

   (4)  On-site management. Prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for supportive housing, submittal of a written agreement between the City and the operator of the housing units addressing all of the following:

   (A) The provision of on-site management during all hours of operation, to oversee the housing facilities.

   (B) Hours of operation shall be limited, based on the scope of services to be provided, and identified in a management plan.

   (C) An individual or individuals who do not utilize the homeless beds and/or other services and who maintain(s) their own off-site residence may serve as an on-site manager(s). At least one such manager shall be on site during all hours of operation and are required to be accompanied by one supporting staff member (an individual hired or contracted by the operator who does not utilize the homeless beds and/or other services, who maintains their own off-site residence). There shall be at least one supporting staff member for every twenty (20) beds, or fraction thereof in the facility.

   (D) At a minimum, one manager shall be on site during all hours of operation, and one supporting staff member shall be available in each segregated populated sleeping section.

   (E) Establishment and ongoing enforcement of written rules of conduct for residents, including the prohibition of alcohol and illegal activities.

   (F) Strategic plan for handling complaints or concerns from neighboring properties.

   (G) No loitering of facility residents and others near the housing units and/or in adjacent neighborhoods.

   (H) Implementation of a security plan with appropriate security measures as approved by the Chief of Police or designee.

   (I)  The provision of counseling, vocational, and other supportive services to residents.

   (J)  Ongoing maintenance of structures and landscaping.

   (K) Availability of the operator to meet with City officials to resolve complaints.

   (5)  Proximity to existing emergency shelter facilities. In no event shall an emergency shelter be established within 200 feet of an existing emergency shelter.

   (6)  Client length of stay. No client shall be allowed to stay more than 180 consecutive days in a year or 240 overall days within any twelve (12) month period of time.

   (7)  Lighting. Lighting shall be consistent with the provisions of Section 9-3.529(b)(1)(B) Lighting Standards for Enhanced Security Areas.

   (d)  Public health requirements.

   (1)  Health permit. Supportive housing facilities, operating without any food services, shall be required to comply with the applicable Orange County Health Care Agency provisions and secure any necessary permits prior to certificate of occupancy. Kitchens of supportive housing facilities without food services shall meet all applicable Orange County Health Department provisions, but shall not be remodeled into a commercial kitchen.

   (2)  Fire and life safety. Sleeping sections or rooms shall be provided with a smoke detector, handheld fire extinguisher, and evacuation plan subject to the review of the Orange County Fire Authority. The City may require the installation of a sprinkler system or other appropriate safety measures on the recommendation of the Orange County Fire Authority.

   (e)  Other licenses and permits. Supportive housing facility owners/operators shall obtain the licenses and permits from the City and any others required by Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances when applicable, including, but not limited to:

   (1)  Business license in compliance with Municipal Code Title 3, Chapter 1 (Business Licenses).

   (2)  California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Licensing and Certification Program (L&C).

   (3)  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). (Ord. No. 994, § 1, 2012)