Chapter 7.27 Emergency Shelters

7.27.010 Purpose

The purpose of this Chapter is to allow and appropriately regulate emergency shelters in accordance with Government Code Section 65583(a)(4). (Ord. 2025-02 § 9)

7.27.020 Applicability

Emergency shelters shall be a permitted use to be located, developed, and operated in compliance with the standards of this Chapter on parcels within the IO Zone and I Zone in the City of La Habra Heights. (Ord. 2025-02 § 9)

7.27.030 Development Standards

A.    Development Standards. The following development standards shall apply to all emergency shelters:

1.    Property Development Standards. The emergency shelter shall conform to all property development standards of the zone in which it is located except as modified by these performance standards.

2.    Shelter Capacity. An emergency shelter for homeless persons shall contain no more than six (6) beds, excluding the number of beds necessary for the required number of staff, and shall serve no more than six (6) persons nightly, excluding the number of required staff for the emergency shelter.

3.    Parking. One (1) parking space shall be provided for each staff member on duty during the largest shift; provided, that the standards do not require more parking than other residential or commercial uses within the same zone. A bicycle parking rack providing one (1) parking space for each bed and one (1) parking space for each required staff of the emergency shelter shall also be provided on site at the facility.

4.    Lighting. Adequate external lighting shall be provided for the entire outdoor area of the site for security purposes. The lighting shall be stationary and designed, arranged, and installed so as to confine direct rays onto the premises and to direct light away from adjacent structures and public rights-of-way. External lighting shall be of an intensity compatible with the neighborhood.

5.    On-Site Waiting and Intake Areas. An interior waiting and intake area shall be provided which contains a minimum of two hundred (200) square feet. Waiting and intake areas may be used for other purposes, excluding sleeping, as needed during operations of the shelter.

B.    Common Facilities. The development may provide one (1) or more of the following specific common facilities for exclusive use of the residents and staff:

1.    Central cooking and dining room;

2.    Recreation room;

3.    Laundry facilities to serve the number of occupants at the shelter; and

4.    Other uses that are considered ancillary to the primary use such as office and storage.

C.    Concentration of Uses. No more than one (1) emergency shelter shall be permitted within a radius of three hundred (300) feet of another emergency shelter. (Ord. 2025-02 § 9)

7.27.040 Operation and Management Standards

A.    On-Site Staff. At least one (1) manager shall be on site during all hours of operation of the facility. Such manager must be an individual who does not utilize the shelter's beds or other services and who resides off site. The manager must be accompanied by one (1) supporting staff member for every fifteen (15) beds occupied in the facility.

B.    Security. Security personnel shall be provided during operational hours, and whenever clients are on the site and be present when people are waiting outside of the facility. A security plan shall be submitted to the City prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy.

C.    Operations. The agency or organization operating the emergency shelter shall comply with the following requirements:

1.    Length of Stay. Each emergency shelter resident shall be permitted to stay for a period of no longer than one hundred eighty (180) days (cumulative) in a three hundred sixty-five (365) day period.

2.    Management Plan. Prior to commencing operation, the provider shall provide a written management plan to the Community Development Director or their designee for approval. The management plan shall address all of the following information:

a.    Hours of operation;

b.    Admission hours and process;

c.    Staff training;

d.    Neighborhood outreach and privacy;

e.    Security;

f.    Resident counseling and treatment;

g.    Maintenance plans;

h.    Rules and procedures; and

i.    Staffing needs.

3.    Annual Report. The provider shall provide an annual report of the use of the facility and determination of compliance with the City’s development standards for the use. (Ord. 2025-02 § 9)