A.
Purpose and Intent. The purpose of this section is to regulate the development and operation of single room occupancy (SRO) residential land uses to ensure such uses provide for the comfort of their residents; create housing opportunities for persons of lower incomes and special housing needs, including, but not limited to, persons with disabilities, seniors, foster youth aging out of the foster system, and formerly homeless individuals; and integrate well into the neighborhoods and districts in which they are located.
B.
Where Permitted. SROs shall be allowed to be established in various zones as set forth in Section 9.12.020.030 (Uses Permitted), Table 1, and Section 9.18.020.030 (Uses Restricted to Indoor), Table 9.18-1.
C.
Development Standards. An SRO may be established through adaptive reuse of an existing building or as new construction, subject to the development standards of the zone in which it is located and compliance with all the following standards.
1.
Site Standards.
a.
An SRO development may be developed up to the maximum density permitted by the General Plan, notwithstanding any other provision of this Title 9.
b.
SRO developments shall be located on a primary or secondary arterial roadway, as defined in the General Plan.
c.
The minimum site area shall be 20,000 square feet, with a minimum street frontage of 100 linear feet.
2.
Overall Standards.
a.
Each SRO unit shall comply with the following unit size requirements:
Minimum Size | Maximum Size | |
|---|---|---|
One-person unit (Single occupancy) | 150 sf | 220 sf |
Two-person unit (Double occupancy) | 221 sf | 400 sf |
b.
A minimum of 15% of the units shall be designed for double occupancy.
c.
Parking shall be provided at a minimum ratio of 0.5 spaces per unit designated as single occupancy and 0.8 spaces per unit designated as double occupancy, plus one space for each employee on shift and one space for the on-site manager unit provided.
d.
Every SRO development shall have one controlled entryway into the development that is accessed through a main lobby. The main lobby shall include a front desk and/or leasing office, with cameras or other devices that allow a staff member to monitor activity in the lobby.
e.
A separate office or conference room with a minimum size of 100 square feet shall be provided that is separate from the reception desk, manager's office, or leasing office so that that space can be used by management—or others authorized by management—when interviewing or meeting with tenants.
f.
A 24-hour manager and manager's unit shall be provided. The manager's unit shall be designed to be a complete residential unit, with a minimum size of 500 square feet for a studio unit and a minimum size of 750 square feet for a one-bedroom unit. The manager's unit shall be located on the ground floor of the development and shall be located adjacent to the main lobby.
g.
Each SRO development shall have a common area of minimum size of 400 square feet, designed to be furnished for the use and comfort of the tenants. All common area shall maintain minimum dimensions of 10 feet. All common areas shall be located within the building. Where deemed appropriate by the responsible review authority, outdoor common patios may be considered toward meeting the common area requirement. Dining rooms, recreational rooms, or other similar areas that are accessible to tenants, and as approved by the responsible review authority, may be considered common areas. Common areas shall not include storage rooms, main lobby, laundry facilities, hallways, restrooms, and kitchens.
h.
Mailboxes shall be provided for each unit and located in the main lobby in plain view of the reception desk.
i.
A minimum of one computer with internet access shall be available in a common area accessible to tenants.
j.
Common laundry facilities shall be provided at a rate of one washer and one dryer per each eight units.
k.
A cleaning supply storeroom and/or utility closet with at least one laundry tub with hot and cold water shall be provided on every floor.
l.
A camera security system shall be provided in all common areas, including the parking facilities, which is monitored from the reception desk/leasing office.
m.
To the extent possible, as determined by the responsible review authority, all stairwells shall be designed to be open to the main lobby, hallways, or other common areas to provide greater security and visibility into the stairwell.
n.
All SRO developments shall provide an emergency power back-up system with a minimum running time of 120 minutes to provide power to the building in case of a power outage.
o.
If a gate is installed to secure the parking area, the development shall provide a separate pedestrian gate for exiting the parking area.
p.
A "Knox Box" shall be provided for emergency personal access. A keypad shall also be provided.
3.
Standards for Individual Units.
a.
Each unit shall contain efficiency kitchen facilities including, at a minimum, a sink, a microwave oven, a countertop of minimum dimensions 16 inches deep by 24 inches long, and refrigerator.
b.
Each unit shall contain a bathroom with a toilet, sink, and shower or tub located within an enclosed compartment.
c.
Each unit shall be furnished with a bed, nightstand, chair, table, television, and a closet/storage no less than 48 cubic feet in size.
d.
Each unit shall be equipped with an individually controlled heating and cooling ventilation system.
e.
Each unit shall have in-unit closet/storage space of minimum size 72 cubic feet.
f.
Each unit shall be pre-wired for telecommunications services, which could include wireless telecommunications infrastructure.
D.
Operational Standards.
1.
Management Plan. A management plan shall be submitted for review and approval by the City of Garden Grove Community and Economic Development Department. The management plan shall be approved before the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. The management plan shall be comprehensive and contain management policies and operations, rental procedures and rates, maintenance plans, residency and guest rules and procedures, security procedures, and staffing needs, including job descriptions. The approved management plan shall be in recordable form as approved by the City Attorney and recorded before issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.
2.
Length of Stay. Rental regulations shall provide that minimum stays be at least 31 days.
(2939 § 3, 2022;2967, 8/12/2025 )