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Council adopts ordinance establishing permitting and inspections for charity or transitional housing
Summary
City adopted an ordinance requiring special‑use approval, registration, inspection and permitting for charity or transitional housing; permits will mirror the short‑term rental/lodging process and can be suspended or revoked for repeated violations.
Council adopted an ordinance creating a permitting, registration and inspection framework for charity or transitional housing. The change closes a gap in city code that staff said previously allowed some temporary philanthropic or medically related accommodations to operate without municipal oversight.
Staff recounted the prior text amendment (April 2024) that established charity/transitional housing as a use eligible for a special‑use permit (SUP) in estate and single‑family districts and the historic district. The newly adopted ordinance sets the post‑SUP municipal registration and inspection process: owners must register with the city (contact information, zoning verification) and obtain a one‑year permit; the permit process mirrors existing short‑term rental/lodging procedures and requires life‑safety inspections, separate fire code inspection verification, and compliance with the submitted site plan.
The ordinance prohibits external signage, establishes occupancy limits (two occupants per bedroom) and parking expectations (one vehicle per bedroom, accommodated on site), requires a guest brochure with contact and emergency information, and bans advertising until the permit is issued (and requires the permit number in advertising once issued). Permits may be suspended for up to 150 days after two code violations and may be denied for up to one year after repeated suspensions; four violations can trigger revocation. The Board of Adjustment is the appeal authority. Staff recommended adoption and council approved the ordinance.
Council members asked how the rule would prevent misuse; staff said enforcement is complaint driven and that inspections and permit suspensions/revocations are available when violations are documented. Council unanimously adopted the new ordinance.
