The purpose of this chapter is to establish reasonable standards for the safe operation and appropriate siting of supportive housing facilities within the city in order to protect the public health and safety for both supportive housing facility residents and the broader community.
(Ord. 2531 § 4, 2023)
A. 
General Requirements.
1. 
When a site includes more than one type of supportive housing facility, the most restrictive requirements of this chapter shall apply.
2. 
The specific needs of each supportive housing facility shall be reviewed through the site plan review process.
3. 
The community development director may modify one or more of the standards in this section only if the applicant submits a description of the standard to be modified and demonstrates how the modification would result in a safe supportive housing facility and benefit the community under the specific circumstances of the application. In considering whether the modification should be granted, the community development director shall first consider the effects on the health and safety of supportive housing facility residents and the neighboring communities. Modifications shall not be granted if they would result in an adverse impact on residents of the supportive housing facility or the neighboring communities.
4. 
All supportive housing facilities shall comply with the building regulations found in CMC Title 18, including all requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and subsequent amendments.
5. 
Hotels and motels may be converted to supportive housing facilities and are permitted to have up to the same number of units as when operated as a hotel or motel.
6. 
Any supportive housing facilities located in a special flood hazard zone shall floodproof or be constructed at least three feet above the base flood elevation (BFE).
B. 
Site and Transit Requirements.
1. 
Supportive housing facilities shall match the bulk and scale of residential uses allowed in the zoning district where the supportive housing facility is located. The design, construction, appearance, physical integrity, and maintenance of the supportive housing facility shall provide an environment that is attractive, sustainable, functional, appropriate for the surrounding neighborhood, and conducive to the stability of its residents.
2. 
If provided, exterior lighting shall comply with city standards and be directed downward, and glare shall be contained within the supportive housing facility site to limit the impact on neighboring properties.
3. 
The use shall meet the landscaping and off-street parking standards found in Chapters 20.50 and 20.72 CMC.
4. 
A plan for transit, pedestrian, and bicycle access from the site to support services shall be provided at the time of application by the sponsor or managing agency.
C. 
Separation and Distance Requirements.
1. 
Different types of supportive housing facilities may co-locate on the same property with the same or different sponsors or managing agencies.
2. 
With the exception of co-located supportive housing facilities on the same property, no supportive housing facility shall be located closer than one thousand five hundred feet to another supportive housing facility regardless of whether such supportive housing facility is located within or outside the city limits. The distance shall be measured from the exterior boundary of a parcel to the exterior boundary of the other parcel where the supportive housing facilities will be located.
D. 
Operational Requirements.
1. 
The sponsor or managing agency shall comply with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including regulations adopted by the Lewis County department of health. The sponsor or managing agency shall be subject to inspections by state and local agencies or departments to ensure compliance and shall implement all directives resulting from such inspections within the specified time limits.
2. 
At the time of the application for a building permit, the sponsor or managing agency shall provide an operational plan that includes the projected type of supportive housing, the number of proposed units, and the following elements:
a. 
Twenty-four-hour emergency contact information;
b. 
Key staff and their roles and responsibilities;
c. 
Site/facility management, including security policies and an emergency management plan;
d. 
Site/facility maintenance, including provisions for a regular trash patrol in the immediate vicinity of the site;
e. 
Resident policies, including responsibilities and a code of conduct that address, at a minimum, the use or sale of alcohol and illegal drugs, threatening or unsafe behavior, and weapon possession;
f. 
Provisions for human and social services, including staffing plan, credentials or certification, and outcome measures;
g. 
Plan for providing residents on-site access to medical services, including mental and behavioral health counseling, or if unable to be provided on site, plan for providing transportation to and from such services;
h. 
Neighborhood outreach with surrounding property owners and residents and an ongoing good neighbor policy; and
i. 
Procedures for maintaining accurate and complete records.
3. 
Sponsors or managing agencies shall demonstrate applicable experience providing similar services to people experiencing homelessness.
4. 
Sponsors or managing agencies shall demonstrate a stable funding source for the supportive housing facility and any on-site or off-site human and social services offered as part of the operations plan.
5. 
Sponsors or managing agencies, the Centralia police department, and the Riverside Fire Authority shall establish reasonable requirements for appropriate coordination with the supportive housing facility and its residents.
(Ord. 2531 § 5, 2023)
In addition to the general standards found in CMC § 20.62.020, emergency housing and emergency shelters are required to comply with the following:
A. 
Facility Standards. In all zoning districts, the minimum area per occupant established by the building regulations shall be met, up to a maximum of eighty residents in newly constructed facilities or existing facilities that will be or have expanded.
B. 
Operational Requirements.
1. 
Trash receptacles shall be provided in multiple locations throughout the facility and site and shall meet the requirements of Chapter 20.50 CMC.
2. 
No children under the age of eighteen are allowed to stay overnight in the facility, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian or unless the facility is licensed to provide services to this population. If a child under the age of eighteen without a parent or guardian present attempts to stay in a facility not specifically licensed for providing housing to youth, the sponsor or managing agency shall immediately contact Child Protective Services and actively endeavor to find alternative housing for the child.
3. 
No person under court supervision or that is required to register as a sex offender shall receive services unless providing such services is consistent with the laws, regulations, or supervisory requirements related to such person.
C. 
Facility Services.
1. 
Residents shall have on-site access to the following additional services or, if unable to be provided on site, shall be provided transportation to such services by the sponsor or managing agency:
a. 
For emergency housing facilities, access to resources for obtaining permanent housing and access to employment and education assistance.
b. 
For emergency shelter facilities, substance abuse assistance.
2. 
All functions and services associated with the facility, including, but not limited to, adequate waiting space, shall take place within a building or on the site of the facility.
3. 
The number of toilets and other hygiene facilities required for the facility shall be determined by the city building official in compliance with CMC Title 18 and in consultation with the Lewis County health department after a review of factors such as the potential number and composition of residents. Modifications to these requirements may be granted on a case-by-case basis by the community development director after consultation with the building official.
4. 
Facilities serving more than five residents shall have dedicated spaces for residents to meet with service providers.
5. 
The sponsor or managing agency shall coordinate with homelessness service providers for referrals to their programs and with other providers of facilities and services for people experiencing homelessness to encourage access to all appropriate services for the residents.
(Ord. 2531 § 6, 2023)
In addition to the general standards found in CMC § 20.62.020, permanent supportive housing and transitional housing are required to comply with the following:
A. 
Facility Standards.
1. 
In R5-A, R:2, R:4, and R:8 zoning districts, the following additional standards apply:
a. 
Occupancy Limits. Permanent supportive and transitional housing shall meet the minimum area per occupant established by the building regulations for a single-family detached residence.
b. 
Occupancy Limit Exceptions. Special exceptions to the limit on the number of occupants of a permanent supportive and transitional housing facility may be granted for persons with disabilities.
c. 
Appearance. Permanent supportive and transitional housing shall be constructed to resemble a single-family structure compatible with the surrounding area.
2. 
In R:15 and R:20 zoning districts, the following additional standards apply:
a. 
Appearance. Permanent supportive housing facilities shall be constructed to maintain a residential character.
b. 
Individual facilities shall follow the density standards for residential uses allowed in the underlying zoning district.
B. 
Operational Requirements.
1. 
Trash receptacles shall be provided in multiple locations throughout the facility and site and shall meet the requirements of Chapter 20.50 CMC.
2. 
The operational plan shall provide a minimum and maximum time limit for occupation for transitional housing within the range of two weeks to twenty-four months.
C. 
Facility Services.
1. 
All residents shall have access to appropriate cooking and hygiene facilities.
2. 
Facilities serving more than five dwelling units shall have dedicated spaces for residents to meet with service providers.
3. 
All functions and services associated with the facility, including, but not limited to, adequate waiting space, shall take place within a building or on the site of the facility.
4. 
Residents shall have on-site access to the following services or, if unable to be provided on site, shall be provided transportation to such services by the sponsor or managing agency:
a. 
Medical services, including mental and behavioral health counseling.
b. 
Employment and education assistance.
c. 
If transitional housing, access to resources for obtaining permanent housing.
(Ord. 2531 § 7, 2023)