The purpose of these standards is to ensure that the development of shelters for the homeless do not adversely impact adjacent parcels or the surrounding neighborhood and shall be developed in a manner which protects the health, safety, and general welfare of the nearby residents and businesses, while providing for the housing needs of a vulnerable segment of the community and complying with state law.

(Ord. No. 18-03, 9-26-18)

The following standards shall apply to shelters for the homeless:

A.

General Standards.

1.

Emergency shelter facilities shall comply with all federal and California State licensing requirements.

2.

Emergency shelter facilities shall comply with all applicable Uniform Building and Fire Codes, including maximum occupancy restrictions.

3.

No parcel with an emergency shelter shall be established closer than three hundred feet from another parcel with an emergency shelter use.

4.

Exterior lighting shall be provided to adequately illuminate all sides of the building housing the emergency shelter to allow for security to monitor the building.

5.

Emergency shelters shall have a designated outdoor smoking area that is not visible from a public street.

6.

Emergency shelters shall provide secure storage areas for its intended residents' personal property.

7.

The shelter shall have set hours of operation and the hours shall be posted in a publicly visible and accessible location on a sign that is no larger than three square feet.

8.

The shelter may provide the following services and facilities to occupants in a designated area separate from the sleeping areas:

a.

A recreation area either inside or outside the shelter. If located outside, the area shall be screened from public view.

b.

A counseling center for job placement, educational, health care, legal, or mental health services.

c.

One or more kitchens for the preparation of meals.

d.

Dining hall.

e.

Other similar services supporting the needs of homeless occupants.

B.

On-site Management.

1.

The emergency shelter provider shall have a written management plan to address management experience, good neighbor issues, transportation, client supervision, client services, and food services. Minimum standards and practices in the plan shall be as follows:

a.

The emergency shelter shall be operated by a responsible agency or organization, with experience in managing or providing social services.

b.

The emergency shelter shall have an identified administrator and representative to address community concerns.

c.

The emergency shelter shall provide at least one responsible on-site supervisor at all times for every ten occupants.

d.

Residents shall be evaluated by persons experienced in emergency shelter placement.

e.

Medical assistance, training, counseling, and personal services essential to enable homeless persons to make the transition to permanent housing may be provided, with or without meals, as an incident to the operation of an emergency shelter.

f.

Referral services shall be provided to assist residents in obtaining permanent housing and income. Such services shall be available at no cost to residents of a shelter.

g.

All emergency shelters shall be maintained in a safe and clean manner and free from refuse or discarded goods.

C.

Security.

1.

A minimum of one supervisory level staff member must be present on the site during hours of operation. Operator(s) must ensure that loitering does not occur on the property during off-hours and must ensure that clients are not loitering, littering, or otherwise creating a nuisance to the neighborhood. If a client is socially disruptive or is responsible for creating any type of nuisance to neighborhood or facility, the operator must discharge the client and notify the Willits police department.

D.

Maximum number of beds per person.

1.

The maximum number of beds does not apply in situations of citywide or statewide designated disasters or catastrophic conditions.

2.

The maximum number of beds or clients permitted to be served (eating, showering and/or spending the night) nightly shall not exceed ten persons.

E.

Off-street parking.

1.

Off-street parking shall be required based upon demonstrated need, but not to exceed parking requirements for other residential or commercial uses within the same zone.

F.

Noise.

1.

For the purposes of noise abatement in residential districts, outdoor activities may only be conducted between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The shelter shall comply with the city's applicable noise regulations at all times.

(Ord. No. 18-03, 9-26-18)