The purpose of this chapter is to allow for single room occupancy units (SROs) to assist in providing affordable housing to extremely low, very low, lower, and low income households consistent with Government Code Section 65583(c)(2) and to appropriately regulate SRO's to ensure compatibility with surrounding uses and properties, and as well as to minimize impacts associated with such uses.

(Ord. No. 348.4950, § 35, 3-2-2021)

A.

SROs are a form of housing in which one or two individuals are housed in individual permanent resident rooms within a multiple tenant building.

B.

SROs are allowed in the following zone classifications with an approved conditional use permit subject to the requirements of this chapter and in accordance with chapter 17.200 of this ordinance: C-1/C-P and MU.

(Ord. No. 348.4950, § 35, 3-2-2021)

The standards set forth below and the standards in chapter 17.72 and chapter 17.94 of this ordinance shall apply to the development of SROs. In the event of a conflict between standards, the standards set forth below shall apply:

A.

Separation. To avoid over-concentration of SROs, there shall be a three hundred-foot separation requirement as measured from the nearest outside building walls between a proposed SRO and any other SRO.

B.

Compatibility. The design of the SRO shall be compatible with the character of the surrounding neighborhood and consistent with any applicable county design guidelines.

C.

Parking and bicycle stalls. On-site parking shall be provided as required for studio dwelling units pursuant to chapter 17.188 of this ordinance. Bicycle stalls shall be provided at a minimum of one class I bicycle parking facility, as provided in chapter 17.188 of this ordinance, for every five SRO units.

D.

Common space. A minimum of ten (10) square feet per unit, or two hundred fifty (250) square feet total, whichever is greater, shall be provided for interior common space. Dining rooms, meeting rooms, recreational rooms and other similar areas may be considered common areas. Shared bathrooms kitchens, storage, laundry facilities and common hallways shall not be considered common areas.

E.

Floor area. An SRO unit shall be a minimum of one hundred fifty (150) square feet in floor area and up to a maximum of four hundred (400) square feet in floor area, including bathroom and kitchen facilities.

F.

Laundry facilities. Laundry facilities shall be provided in a separate area within the SRO project at the ratio of one washer and one dryer for every twenty (20) SRO units or fractional number thereof.

G.

Kitchen facilities. Each unit shall include a kitchen sink serviced with hot and cold water, a garbage disposal, and a counter top measuring a minimum of eighteen (18) inches wide by twenty-four (24) inches deep. A complete kitchen facility available for all residents shall be provided on each floor of the structure, if all individual SRO units are not provided with a minimum of a refrigerator and a microwave oven.

H.

Bathroom facilities. For each SRO unit, a private toilet shall be provided in an enclosed room with a door having a minimum of fifteen (15) square feet in floor area. If private bathing facilities are not provided for each SRO unit, shared shower or bathtub facilities shall be provided at a ratio of one such facility for every seven SRO units or fraction thereof. The shared shower or bathtub facility shall be on the same floor as the SRO units it is intended to serve and shall be accessible from a common area or hallway. Each shared shower or bathtub facility shall be provided with an interior lockable door.

I.

Management plan. An SRO project shall submit a management plan, along with the appropriate review fee as set forth in Ordinance No. 671, for review and approval by the county prior to issuance of the first building permit. The management plan shall contain management policies, operations, emergency procedures, number of residents per SRO unit permitted, overnight guest policy, security program including video cameras monitoring building access points at every floor, rental procedures that allow for monthly tenancies and proposed rates, maintenance plans, staffing needs, tenant mix, selection and regulations. Income levels shall be verified in writing and provided to the county by a third party.

J.

SRO manager. An on-site twenty-four-hour manager is required for a SRO project. The manager's unit shall be at least three hundred (300) square feet with its own kitchen and bath facilities.

K.

Income restricted units. All units in an SRO project shall be deed restricted to extremely low, very low, lower and low income households as such income restrictions are defined in the Riverside County's General Plan Housing Element and Health and Safety Code Sections 50079.5, 50093, 50105 and 50106, as may be amended, with the only exception being the 24-hour on-site manager. When accompanied by the appropriate review fee as set forth in Ordinance No. 671, such deed restriction shall be reviewed and approved by the office of county counsel and recorded prior to issuance of a building permit for the construction of the SRO project.

L.

Annual review of management plan. Each SRO project shall annually provide a report of compliance with its management plan to be prepared by a qualified third party who is approved by the county. Such report shall be accompanied by the appropriate review fee as set forth in Ordinance No. 671.

M.

Disability access. Disability access facilities shall be provided as may be required pursuant to federal, state and county laws and regulations. At a minimum, one disabled accessible SRO unit shall be required for every twenty (20) SRO units.

N.

Restriction on number of residents. No more than two residents shall be permitted to reside in each SRO unit.

(Ord. No. 348.4950, § 35, 3-2-2021)