The purpose of this article is to establish regulations governing the operation of safe parking host sites within the City of Davis, ensuring the safety and welfare of individuals using their vehicles as shelter, and to adopt performance standards and permitting guidelines for these safe parking host sites.
(Ord. 2683, 2/17/2026)
No safe parking host site shall be established or maintained unless and until a safe parking host site permit has been issued by the director of the social services and housing department or their designee.
No more than five safe parking host site permits may be active at any given time.
(Ord. 2683, 2/17/2026)
Any person or organization desiring to operate a safe parking host site under this article shall submit a safe parking host site permit application to the social services and housing department. The application shall be on a form approved by the director of the social services and housing department and include the following:
(a) 
Location. A safe parking host site is a permitted use for commercial, industrial, and residential areas, provided it is located in conjunction with an existing and properly permitted community assembly, cultural facility, government building, public use, public safety facility, quasi-public and social service center, or quasi-public facility, and a safe parking site host permit has been issued for that site as provided in subsection (b) of this section.
(b) 
Ministerial Safe Parking Host Site Permit. A safe parking host site shall not be established or maintained unless a ministerial safe parking host site permit has been issued and is in full force and effect.
(1) 
Scope. The safe parking host site permit shall allow safe parking as an ancillary use to the permitted primary community assembly, cultural facility, government building, public use, public safety facility, quasi-public and social service center, or quasi-public facility.
(2) 
Submittal Requirements. An application for a safe parking host site permit shall be submitted to the social services and housing department, and shall include the following:
(A) 
A site plan showing the proposed location of required facilities listed in subsection (d)(6) of this section, parking spaces designated for safe parking, and setbacks to adjacent properties as required per subsection (d)(11) of this section;
(B) 
A site management and operations plan describing the proposed functions of the site, including:
(i) 
A list of other uses conducted on the site and their hours of operation, demonstrating that the primary use will not conflict with the safe parking use;
(ii) 
The number of safe parking spaces provided and the days and hours the spaces will be available for safe parking, pursuant to site zoned parking regulations;
(iii) 
A description of program management, including procedures for site monitoring, participant screening, and provision of facilities and services;
(iv) 
A description of how waste disposal, including both greywater disposal and trash disposal, shall be managed by the host site according to best management practices;
(v) 
A description of how the site will meet the performance standards as provided in subsection (d) of this section; and
(vi) 
Any additional or supplemental information as is reasonably necessary to verify or clarify that the proposal meets the requirements of this article or any other provision of the Davis Municipal Code, or to determine appropriate permit conditions or limitations.
(c) 
Inspection Requirement. Prior to the approval of a safe parking host site permit, City staff shall perform an inspection of the site to ensure compliance with the safe parking site standards set forth in subsection (d) of this section. The city reserves the right to make unannounced site inspections at any time.
(d) 
Safe Parking Host Site Standards. The director of the social services and housing department or designee, may issue a safe parking host site permit when the applicant has demonstrated that they would meet all the following performance standards:
(1) 
Operation. Safe parking host sites shall be operated as an ancillary use subordinate to or part of the principal use at an existing facility.
(2) 
Approved Site Management and Operations Plan. Safe parking host sites shall have a site management and operations plan approved by the social services and housing department director or their designee.
(3) 
Hours of Operation. On any night that safe parking is offered at a safe parking host site, the safe parking host site shall operate for a minimum of ten hours. The specific hours of operation for each site, including additional hours up to and including 12-hour operation, shall be established with approval of the safe parking host site permit and zone parking regulation of the original purpose of the site.
(4) 
Types of Vehicles Permitted. Safe parking host sites shall be used only by operable cars and vans that have received a valid permit from the site operator to park at a specific safe host parking site. For the purposes of this subsection, "operable" shall mean that the vehicle is not missing any significant component part and can be driven on and off site without assistance.
(5) 
Maximum Number of Participants. No more than eight inhabited vehicles shall be allowed to park at a safe parking host site at one time. The number of people permitted in a vehicle should be equivalent to the number of seats in the vehicle, unless otherwise authorized.
(6) 
Facilities. Restroom, potable water, and trash facilities shall be provided, maintained in a clean and orderly manner, and accessible to participants on the site during safe parking hours.
(7) 
Security. The safe parking host site shall provide staff, trained in security and fire watch, to monitor parking activities during safe parking hours of operation.
(8) 
Vehicle Clearances. A minimum clearance of six feet shall be maintained between any vehicle used for safe parking and any other vehicle.
(9) 
Fire Safety. Communal fire extinguisher(s) shall be provided such that there is one fire extinguisher located within seventy-five feet of each inhabited vehicle.
(10) 
Circulation. Parked vehicles shall not obstruct drive aisles or otherwise interfere with established circulation patterns on site. The site shall maintain adequate emergency vehicle access and access to fire protection systems, as determined by the fire marshal or their designee.
(11) 
Setbacks from Property Lines. Designated safe parking spaces for cars and vans and any outside portable facilities, shall be located a minimum of ten feet from any property line.
(12) 
Setbacks from Buildings. All vehicles shall be located at least ten feet from any other building or structure located on the property.
(13) 
Noise. Safe parking host sites shall observe quiet hours between 10:00 pm and 7:00 am in accordance with Davis Municipal Code Section 24.02.020. Use of generators shall be prohibited during quiet hours.
(14) 
Posting. The safe parking host site address and phone number for a representative of the site operator shall be posted in a visible location on the safe parking host site.
(15) 
Exterior Storage Prohibited. Outdoor storage around parked vehicles shall be prohibited. Tents, tarps, and other temporary outdoor shelters, either affixed to a participant's vehicle or freestanding, shall be prohibited.
(16) 
Fire Prohibited. Fires, heaters, barbeque grills, and other outdoor cooking or warming appliances shall be prohibited.
(Ord. 2683, 2/17/2026)
The director of the social services and housing department shall deny a safe parking host site permit, including but not limited to, in the following circumstances:
(a) 
The application is incomplete, or information contained in the application is found to be false in any material detail;
(b) 
The application fails to demonstrate an ability to operate a safe parking host site while meeting the requirements in this article;
(c) 
The director determines there is an over concentration of social services in an area;
(d) 
The director determines there is an adequate number of safe parking host sites to serve the city's needs; or
(e) 
Any other reason at the discretion of the director.
(Ord. 2683, 2/17/2026)
No fee shall be required for the processing of a safe parking host site permit application or issuance of a safe parking host site permit.
(Ord. 2683, 2/17/2026)
A safe parking host site permit issued under this article shall be valid for a term of one year from the date of issuance. At least thirty days prior to the expiration of any safe parking host site permit, the permit holder may apply for renewal of the permit or for a new permit by contacting the director of the social services and housing department or designee.
(Ord. 2683, 2/17/2026)
The director of the social services and housing department, fire marshal, or the police chief may modify, suspend or revoke a safe parking host site permit issued under this article. The following shall constitute grounds for suspension or revocation:
(a) 
The conditions of approval have been or are being violated;
(b) 
Operation of the safe parking host site violates any provision of the permit, this article, other applicable provisions of the Davis Municipal Code, or other applicable law;
(c) 
Existence of unsafe conditions that pose a risk to public health, safety, or welfare at the safe host parking site or in the surrounding area.
(Ord. 2683, 2/17/2026)
(a) 
An applicant or permittee who desires to appeal a decision with respect to a safe parking host site permit condition, denial, suspension, or revocation may appeal the decision by submitting a written notice thereof to the city manager or their designee within ten calendar days from the date of service of the notice of the decision. The notice of appeal shall set forth in detail all of the facts supporting the appellant's request.
(b) 
In the event an appeal is filed to challenge a suspension or revocation, the suspension or revocation shall remain in effect until the final decision has been rendered by the city manager or their designee.
(c) 
The city manager or their designee shall serve as the hearing officer.
(d) 
Upon receipt of an appeal timely-filed pursuant to this section, the hearing officer shall calendar it for hearing within thirty business days.
(e) 
The appellant shall be notified in writing of the time and place set for the hearing.
(f) 
Hearings shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures established by the hearing officer. All parties involved shall have a right to: (1) offer testimonial, documentary and tangible evidence bearing on the issues; (2) be represented by counsel; and (3) confront and cross-examine witnesses. Any relevant evidence may be admitted that is the sort of evidence upon which reasonable persons are accustomed to relay in the conduct of serious affairs. Any hearing may be continued for a reasonable time for the convenience of a party or a witness.
(g) 
Unless otherwise specifically provided by law, in any hearing under this article, the burden is on the appellant to prove that the determination of the director of the social services and housing department or their designee was unreasonable and an abuse of discretion.
(h) 
The hearing officer shall, within ten business days of the conclusion of the hearing, issue a written decision on the appeal supported by findings. Notice of the hearing officer's decision shall be mailed to the appellant.
(i) 
The decision of the hearing officer shall be final.
(Ord. 2683, 2/17/2026)