Los Banos City Zoning Code
ARTICLE 47
EMERGENCY SHELTERS
§ 9-3.4701 Purpose.
(a)
Consistent with Government Code Sections 65582, 65583(a), and 65589.5, all California cities are required to identify a minimum of one zone that permits emergency shelters by right. The purpose of this article is to establish standards to ensure that the development of emergency shelters does not adversely impact adjacent parcels or the surrounding neighborhood, and that they are developed in a manner that protects the health, safety, and general welfare of the nearby residents and businesses, and the character of the City of Los Banos.
(b)
Emergency shelters may be allowed in the Medium Density Residential District; High Density Residential District; and General Industrial District, as a permitted use, subject to a non-discretionary Zoning Clearance issued by the Community and Economic Development Director pursuant to Government Code Section 65583 (a)(4).
(c)
Emergency shelters are subject to the following standards.
(1)
No individual shall be denied emergency shelter because of an inability to pay.
(2)
Emergency shelters shall be operated under the authority of a governing agency or private organization that provides, or that contracts to provide, emergency shelters and which, when required by law, is properly registered and licensed.
(3)
Emergency shelters shall comply with applicable California Health and Safety Codes.
(4)
Emergency shelters shall comply with all property development standards of the zone in which they are located, and in addition, no emergency shelter shall be located within 300 feet of another such facility, said measurement being defined as the shortest distance between the outside walls of the structures housing such facilities.
(5)
Parking shall be as required by Title 9, Article 3, Chapter 20 "Off-Street Parking" unless the applicant provides substantial evidence demonstrating that the actual parking need is lower, subject to the approval of the Community and Economic Development Director or designee.
(6)
Each emergency shelter shall include, at a minimum, the following:
(A)
Interior and exterior lighting necessary for security, safety, and operational purposes shall conform to the California Code of Regulations Title 24, Parts 2, 2.5 and 6 or any successor provisions as applicable in effect at the time the application is deemed complete. Exterior lighting shall be stationary, directed away from adjacent properties and public right-of-ways;
(B)
If client intake is to occur on-site, there shall be an indoor client intake/waiting area equal to a minimum of 10 square feet per bed provided at the facility. If an exterior waiting area is also provided, it shall be enclosed or screened from public view and adequate to prevent obstructing of the public right-of-way and required parking and access;
(C)
Clean, sanitary beds and sanitation facilities, including showers and toiletries; and
(D)
Segregated sleeping, lavatory and bathing areas if the emergency shelter accommodates both men and women in the same building. Reasonable accommodation shall be made to provide segregated sleeping, lavatory and bathing areas for families.
(7)
At least one facility manager shall be on-site at all hours the facility is open and one hour prior to and after facility operating hours. At least one full-time equivalent employee shall be required to be on-site during facility operating hours for every 20 beds in the facility.
(8)
Emergency shelters may provide one or more of the following types of supportive facilities or services for the exclusive use or benefit of the shelter clients:
(A)
Central cooking and dining room(s);
(B)
Recreation areas, indoor and/or outdoors;
(C)
Laundry facilities for clients to wash their clothes;
(D)
Intake and administrative offices;
(E)
Counseling and other supportive services; or
(F)
Secure storage areas for bicycles and other personal possessions.
(9)
The agency or organization operating the shelter shall have a written Facility Management Plan consisting of, as applicable, provisions for staff training; neighborhood outreach; security; screening of residents to ensure compatibility with services provided at the facility; training, counseling, and treatment programs for residents, and facility information, including the number of persons who can be served nightly, the location of onsite waiting and intake areas, the provision of onsite management, and onsite security during hours of operation, as established in Government Code Section 65583 (a)(4)(A).
(§ 13, Ord. 1182, eff. May 1, 2020)
