Chapter 21.52 — TRANSITIONAL AND SUPPORTIVE HOUSING

21.52.010 Purpose . ¶

The city hereby finds that the provision of housing for persons who may have special housing needs due to circumstances involving adverse health, financial, or other conditions is essential to creating a community responsive to the needs of all its residents. The city also finds that such housing should be located, operated, and managed in a manner that serves the special needs of such residents with respect to safety, child care, access to mental and physical health services, hygiene, and job training. The city therefore establishes these regulations for the operation of transitional and similar housing facilities. (Ord. 736, § 5 (part), 2025; Ord. 612 Exhibit A (part), 2008).

21.52.020 Applicability. ¶

Transitional and permanent supportive housing that complies with the provisions of this chapter shall be permitted where multifamily and mixed uses are. (Ord. 736, § 5 (part), 2025).

21.52.030 Eligibility for supportive housing. ¶

(a) One hundred percent of units (excluding managers' units) are affordable to lower income households and are or will be receiving public funding to ensure affordability of the housing to lower income Californians.

(b) At least 25% of the units in the development or 12 units, whichever is greater, are restricted to residents in supportive housing who meet criteria of the target population. If the development consists of fewer than 12 units, then 100% of the units, excluding managers' units, shall be restricted to residents in supportive housing.

(c) This amount can be reduced at the request of the project owner if rental assistance or operating subsidy for the supportive housing units is terminated through no fault of the project owner; and: 1) the owner has demonstrated a good-faith effort to find other financial support; 2) the reduction in supportive housing units is the minimum necessary to maintain financial feasibility; and 3) any change in occupancy minimizes tenant disruption and is only made following unit vacancy.

(d) If the project has more than 20 units, 3% of nonresidential floor area is for onsite supportive services (including, but not limited to, community rooms, case management offices, computer rooms, and community kitchens). If the project has up to 20 units, at least 90 square feet is for onsite services. (Ord. 736, § 5 (part), 2025)

21.52.040 Development standards. ¶

The following standards regarding the design, location, and development shall apply to all transitional and supportive housing:

(a) All such facilities shall maintain a scale, character, and design consistent with buildings in the vicinity.

(b) A single controlled pedestrian entryway for routine ingress/egress for the site shall be located adjacent to and in full view of the manager's office.

(c) Laundry facilities shall be provided in a location accessible to all residents of the facility. Washers and dryers may be coin operated.

(d) Manager(s) of the transitional or supportive housing facility must reside on-site.

(e) Permanent supportive housing excluding managers’ units must include at least one bathroom and kitchen or other cooking facilities, including, at a minimum, a stovetop, sink, and refrigerator.

(f) No minimum parking shall be required for a permanent supportive housing if the housing development is located within one-half mile of a public transit stop.(Ord. 736, § 5 (part), 2025; Ord. 661 § 13, 2012; Ord. 612 Exhibit A (part), 2008).

21.52.050 Operational standards. ¶

(a) A minimum of two pay telephones or other similar devices acceptable to the community development director shall be provided in the facility.

(b) A twenty-four-hour on-site manager shall be provided.
(c) A management plan shall be submitted for review and approval, and shall contain provisions acceptable to the community development director and city public safety personnel. At a minimum, the management plan shall address:
(1) Child care facilities, as applicable.
(2) Emergency procedures.
(3) Facility maintenance.
(4) Funding sources.
(5) Management policies.
(6) Rental procedures and policies.
(7) Residency requirements and regulations.
(8) Screening of residents to ensure compatibility with services provided at the facility.
(9) Security programs and features.
(10) Services, training, counseling, and treatment programs for residents of the facility, including services to assist residents obtain permanent shelter.
(11) Staffing needs.
(12) Staff training.
(13) Tenant responsibilities.
(14) Facility rules. (Ord. 736, § 5 (part), 2025; Ord. 612 Exhibit A (part), 2008).

21.52.060 Annual report required. ¶

Each approved transitional housing or similar facility shall be subject to annual review by the city, including a review of management services. The permit grantee shall be responsible for filing an annual report to the city which includes the range of monthly rents, average length of tenancy, range of monthly income of residents, occupancy rates, number of families served, the number of vehicles owned by residents, and services provided at the facility. (Ord. 736, § 5 (part), 2025; Ord. 612 Exhibit A (part), 2008).

21.52.070 Changes to the management plan. ¶

Any proposed revisions to the management plan shall be subject to the review and approval of the community development director. Substantive changes to the plan, as defined by the director, shall be referred to the planning commission for consideration and action. (Ord. 736, § 5 (part), 2025; Ord. 612 Exhibit A (part), 2008).

21.52.080 Application procedure. ¶

An application for a transitional or permanent supportive housing permit shall be filed with the Director of Community Development. The Director shall approve an application that meets the development standards set forth in

this chapter without discretionary review or a public hearing, no more than 60 days after the application has been deemed complete. (Ord. 736, § 5 (part), 2025)