Chapter 14-55
LOW BARRIER NAVIGATION CENTERS
Sections:
14-55.05 Application and appeals procedures.
14-55.01 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to implement the provisions of Government Code Section 65660 et seq. relating to low barrier navigation centers.
(§ 2, Ord. 1488-26 (CM), eff. June 25, 2026)
14-55.02 Definitions.
For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) “Coordinated entry system” means a centralized or coordinated assessment system developed pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Code of Federal Regulations as specified in Government Code Section 65662, and any related requirements, designed to coordinate program participant intake, assessment, and referrals.
(b) “Low barrier” means best practices to reduce barriers to entry, and may include, but is not limited to, the following:
(1) The presence of partners if it is not a population-specific site, such as for survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault, women, or youth;
(2) Pets;
(3) The storage of possessions; or
(4) Privacy, such as partitions around beds in a dormitory setting or in larger rooms containing more than two (2) beds, or private rooms.
(c) “Low barrier navigation center” means a Housing First, low barrier, service-enriched shelter focused on moving people into permanent housing that provides temporary living facilities while case managers connect individuals experiencing homelessness to income, public benefits, health services, shelter, and housing. A low barrier navigation center may be noncongregate and relocatable.
(d) “Use by right” has the meaning defined in subdivision (i) of Section 65583.2. Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code shall not apply to actions taken by a public agency to lease, convey, or encumber land owned by a public agency, or to facilitate the lease, conveyance, or encumbrance of land owned by a public agency, or to provide financial assistance to, or otherwise approve, a low barrier navigation center constructed or allowed by this chapter.
(§ 2, Ord. 1488-26 (CM), eff. June 25, 2026)
14-55.03 Allowed zones.
Pursuant to Government Code Section 65662, as amended, low barrier navigation centers shall be allowed as a principally permitted use and approved with an Administrative Review Permit in the following zones provided they meet the requirements of Section 14-55.04:
(a) RM-2—Multiple Residential District (Medium Density).
(b) RM-3—Multiple Residential District (High Density).
(c) CT—Thoroughfare Commercial District.
(d) CN—Neighborhood Commercial District.
(e) DWSP zoning districts (Downtown Core, Downtown Mixed Use, and Downtown Industrial).
(§ 2, Ord. 1488-26 (CM), eff. June 25, 2026)
14-55.04 Requirements.
A low barrier navigation center shall meet the following requirements:
(a) It offers services to connect people to permanent housing through a services plan that identifies services staffing.
(b) It is linked to a coordinated entry system, so that staff in the interim facility or staff who collocate in the facility may conduct assessments and provide services to connect people to permanent housing.
(c) It complies with Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 8255) of Division 8 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(d) It has a system for entering information regarding client stays, client demographics, client income, and exit destination through the local Homeless Management Information System as defined by Section 578.3 of Title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(e) No additional standards or criteria shall be considered during the evaluation of an application for an LBNC.
(§ 2, Ord. 1488-26 (CM), eff. June 25, 2026)
14-55.05 Application and appeals procedures.
(a) An application shall be submitted to the planning division of the Community Development Department.
(b) The City shall notify a developer whether the developer’s application is complete pursuant to Section 65943 of the Government Code within thirty (30) days of receipt of the application.
(c) The City shall act within sixty (60) days of receipt of a completed application.
(d) LBNCs are allowed by right and are unappealable.
(§ 2, Ord. 1488-26 (CM), eff. June 25, 2026)
14-55.06 Effective date.
This chapter shall remain in effect until repealed.
(§ 2, Ord. 1488-26 (CM), eff. June 25, 2026)