314-47
47.1 EMERGENCY HOUSING UNDER SHELTER CRISIS DECLARATION
47.1.1 Purpose. This section sets minimum local health and safety standards for structures within homeless shelters and facilities, effective for the duration of a shelter crisis declared under California Government Code Section 8698.4 and its subparts. The purpose of these standards is to mitigate the negative effects of the shelter crisis within the County while preserving the public health and safety of all of its citizens.
47.1.2 Applicability. This section applies to any Humboldt County facility for persons experiencing homelessness, including any facility for that purpose defined in this Code, that is located or constructed on any land owned or leased by the County of Humboldt, or land owned or leased jointly by the County and another public entity, for the duration of the crisis.
47.1.2.1 Joint Powers Agreements. The County’s declaration of a shelter crisis and this section will apply to any land owned or leased by an agency or entity created pursuant to the Joint Exercise of Powers Act (California Government Code commencing with Section 6500) if the County is one (1) of the parties to the agreement creating the entity or agency and the real property owned or leased by the agency or entity is located within the jurisdiction of the County, or City and County.
47.1.3 Emergency Housing Standards Apply. Emergency shelters, low barrier navigation centers, safe parking, and any other facility defined in this Code serving persons experiencing homelessness, and that is located or constructed on County, or County- and City-owned property, must comply with California Residential Code Appendix X and California Building Code Appendix O (collectively referred to as “Emergency Housing Standards”) and any future standards adopted by the Department of Housing and Community Development related to emergency housing or emergency housing facilities. The Emergency Housing Standards are hereby adopted by the County of Humboldt, and apply to emergency housing and emergency housing facilities, as defined in Appendix O, Section O102, of the California Building Code.
47.1.4 Reporting Requirements. Providers operating facilities under the scope of this section must track and report to the County, at least annually, by September 30th of each year:
47.1.4.1The total number of residents or clients served in the facility, by month;
47.1.4.2The total number of those served whose residence was or is a vehicle;
47.1.4.3The total number of residents who have moved from the homeless shelter into permanent supportive housing;
47.1.4.4The number of residents who have exited the system and are no longer in need of a homeless shelter or permanent supportive housing;
47.1.4.5The total number of residents who have exited the system;
47.1.4.6The bed capacity of the facility, excluding safe parking for homeless persons.
47.2* EMERGENCY SHELTERS
47.2.1 Purpose. The purpose of these regulations is to increase development of emergency shelters and services for people who are experiencing homelessness and to establish development standards. No individual or household may be denied housing and shelter because of inability to pay.
47.2.2 Applicability. These regulations apply to emergency shelters as defined in Section 314-140 and elsewhere in this Code, in all zones where those shelters are permitted.
47.2.3 General Provisions. Emergency shelters that meet all of the following requirements are principally permitted in the C-1, C-2, C-3, ML, R-3, MU1 and MU2 zoning districts. Emergency shelters may only be subject to those development and management standards that apply to residential or commercial development within the same zone except as follows in Section 47.2.4.
47.2.4 Development Standards.
47.2.4.1 Lighting. Adequate external lighting must be provided. The lighting must be stationary, and directed away from adjacent properties and public rights-of-way.
47.2.4.2 Common Facilities. Common facilities may be provided for cooking and dining, recreation, counseling, child care, and other support services, for use of the residents and staff. Laundry facilities, electricity, Wi-Fi, and pet shelter and exercise areas are recommended in accordance with low barrier practices.
47.2.4.3 Waiting and Intake Area. If client intake occurs on site, an enclosed or screened waiting and intake area must be provided on the property to prevent queuing in the public right-of-way. The area must be at least ten percent (10%) of the total square footage of the shelter, and must be located outside of the yard setbacks.
47.2.4.4 Security. The agency or organization operating the shelter (provider) must provide security for residents, visitors and employees during hours that the emergency shelter is in operation.
47.2.4.5 Emergency Shelter Provider. The agency or organization operating the shelter must comply with the following requirements:
47.2.4.5.1The provider must have a written management plan that specifies the hours of operation and the number of beds up to a maximum of fifty (50) beds.
47.2.4.5.2Temporary shelter must be available to residents for no more than six (6) months, with review and renewal as specified in the provider’s management plan.
47.2.4.6 Maximum Unit Density. Homeless shelters located in residential districts, when not developed in an individual dwelling unit format, are not subject to the density standard of the General Plan, but the number of beds must be limited to fifty (50). In no case may occupancy of the facility exceed the limit set forth in the adopted Airport Land Use Plan.
47.2.4.7 Proximity to Other Emergency Shelters. Principally permitted emergency shelters may not be located within three hundred (300) feet of each other.
47.2.4.8 Exceptions. Exceptions to each of the development standards in Sections 47.2.4.1 through 47.2.4.7 may be allowed with a special permit.
* Note: Section 47.2 was previously codified as Section 47.1, Emergency Shelters, and has been renumbered to be Section 47.2 at the County’s request to accommodate the new Section 47.1, Emergency Housing Under Shelter Crisis Declaration, added by Ord. 2695.
(Ord. 2472, Sec. 1, 2/14/2012; Ord. 2695, § 2, 6/7/2022; Ord. 2719, § 3, 7/11/2023)