§ 18.60.110 — Emergency Shelters

A. Purpose. The purpose of this Section is to establish standards for the development and operation of Emergency Shelters which as allowed by Article 2 (Zones, Allowable Uses, and Development Standards). B. Location. Emergency shelters are allowed as follows: 1. In the C-C, C-R, and MU-VHD permitted by right. 2. In the R3, R4, and R5 zones, permitted by right. 3. In the LI Light Industrial zone, permitted by right. 4. In the PQP Public/Quasi-Public district, allowed with a Minor Use Permit C. Permitting Requirements. An application must meet the minimum property development standards for the applicable zoning designation on the date the operator submits the materials required by Subsection E. (Shelter Management Plan). D. Developmental and Operational Standards. The following standards shall apply to all Emergency Shelters: 1. Maximum Number of Beds The maximum number of beds shall not exceed 50. 2. Length of Stay. The maximum stay at the facility shall not exceed 180 total days in any 365-day period. 3. Intake Areas. On-site client waiting and intake areas shall be located inside the structure, when feasible, and shall be screened from public and private property. If not feasible, an exterior waiting area shall be provided which: a. Contains a minimum of 10 square feet per bed provided at the facility; b. Shall be in a location not adjacent to the public right-of-way; and c. Shall be visibly separated from public view by a minimum six-foot-tall visual screening. 4. Intake Area Hours. Hours of intake shall be between the hours of 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Overnight occupants shall not be allowed to leave the facility on foot before 7:00 a.m. the following morning. 5. On-site Employee Requirements. A minimum of one employee for each 15 beds provided, in addition to security personnel, shall be on duty and remain on-site during operational hours whenever occupants are on the site. 6. Required Security. Security personnel shall be provided during operational hours whenever clients are on the site and when people are waiting outside the facility. 7. Exterior Lighting. Exterior lighting shall be provided for the entire outdoor area of the site. Exterior lighting shall be stationary, directed downward and away from adjacent properties and public rights-of-way, and be of an intensity compatible with the neighborhood and the regulations Section 18.40.080 (Outdoor Lighting). 9. Allowable On-site Services. The emergency 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. Laundry facilities sized to properly serve the number of occupants at the shelter. d. Kitchen for the preparation of meals. e. Dining hall. f. Client storage areas (i.e., for the overnight storage of bicycles and personal items). g. Similar services supporting the needs of homeless occupants. 10. Annual Report to the City. The operator of the facility shall provide, via the Homelessness Management Information System as defined by Section 578.3 of Title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations, at the City’s request, an annual report of the use of the facility and determination of compliance with the City’s development standards for the use. The report shall include information regarding client stays, client demographics, client income, and exit destinations. 11. On-site Management. Professional and on-site management, with experience managing emergency shelters, shall be provided at all times. E. Shelter Management Plan. 1. Contents of Management Plan. The shelter operator shall demonstrate compliance with the requirements of Subsection D. (Developmental and Operational Standards) by providing the Director with a shelter management plan. The shelter management plan shall consist of a written description of the characteristics of the planned shelter along with preliminary plans for the existing or proposed shelter facility, including parking. The shelter management plan shall address all of the following: a. Hours of operation; b. Admission hours and process; c. Staff training; d. Neighborhood outreach and privacy; e. Security; and f. Resident counseling and treatment. 2. Review by the Director. The shelter management plan is subject to approval by the Director prior to issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy. The submission shall include sufficient detail for the Director to assess whether the proposed shelter will satisfy the requirements specified in Subsection D. (Developmental and Operational Standards). Within 30 days of receiving a complete application, the Director shall inform the proposed operator whether the submission satisfies Subsection D., above. If the Director determines the proposed emergency shelter fails to satisfy the requirements of Subsection D., the proposed operator shall be informed in writing of the conclusion, the reasons for the conclusion, and the facts on which the conclusion was based. The Certificate of Occupancy may only be issued following the Director‘s approval of the shelter management plan. 3. Updates. The shelter operator shall submit a revised SMP to the Director at least 60 days prior to changing any of the characteristics specified in the Plan. The Director shall have the authority to veto any proposed change to the SMP that would have the potential to violate Subsection D. (Developmental and Operational Standards). F. Compliance Required. Any emergency shelter shall operate in compliance with the terms of the shelter management plan approved by the Director, this Zoning Code, and the approved Conditional Use Permit, if applicable. G. Additional Requirements. Nothing in this Section, or approval of any Conditional Use Permit or shelter management plan, shall relieve a proposed operator from the obligation to satisfy all applicable building, zoning, environmental, and other laws, regulations, or ordinances that may otherwise apply to the construction, location, or operation of the emergency shelter.