Project Name: Group Homes Ordinance
Applicant: City of Huntington Beach
Location: Citywide
Project Summary
Currently, the Huntington Beach Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance (HBZSO) does not adequately identify or regulate group homes in all areas of the City. The City Council developed an Ordinance that strikes an appropriate balance between the interests of the City and its residents to preserve residential neighborhood character, and the need to provide housing accommodations to disabled persons, including those in recovery from chemical addiction to reside in normalized residential environments.
City staff has begun working on establishing a permit process and associated fees. The permit fee resolution is anticipated to be adopted within the next few months.
Group Homes and Sober Living Homes Regulations:
A Group Home (GH) or Sober Living Home (SLH) with six (6) or fewer residents
A GH or SLH with seven (7) or more residents
An applicant for a GH or SLH may seek relief from strict application of the requirements of Additional Provision L-8 by applying for reasonable accommodation pursuant to HBMC 17.77.
Additional Regulatory Changes:
Referral Facilities: Either a Residential Care Facility, Group Home, or Sober Living Home where one or more person’s residency is per a court order or similar directive. Referral facilities must follow the permit procedure according to the base use classification, and are not permitted in the RL zone.
Referral Facilities are not permitted in the RL zone; and
Residential Care Facilities (RCF): A State Licensed residential facility where care, services, or treatment are provided to persons living in a community residential setting. RCFs Provide housing and care/treatment for the elderly, developmentally disabled, chronically ill, and chemical addiction treatment facilities, among others.
A City webpage with all information necessary to review the Code, submit an application, or submit an enforcement request will become available in early 2021.
Project Status: Completed
Project Planner: Hayden Beckman
Last Updated: March 13, 2023
Attachments: N/A