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Council approves zoning and licensing changes for group homes and residential care facilities
Summary
Lake Forest council unanimously approved code amendments creating a city licensing program for certain group homes, adding operational standards, a 650-foot separation to avoid overconcentration, and a compliance timeline for existing facilities.
Lake Forest — The City Council unanimously adopted zoning and municipal-code amendments on July 7 that update how group homes, residential care facilities and boarding houses are regulated in the city.
Planning Manager Amy Stonich described amendments to Title V and Title IX to align the municipal code with state law and recent court decisions. Key features include a city-level group-home licensing program for nonexempt facilities, objective operational standards (parking, safety plans, house-manager requirements), a 650-foot separation requirement to prevent overconcentration, and a two-year renewal/inspection regime with revocation authority for repeated violations. State-licensed facilities with six or fewer residents remain exempt from the city license requirement.
Staff told council existing facilities would have 90 days after the ordinance’s effective date to obtain a license or demonstrate hardship; in some cases, relocation could be necessary if spacing cannot be achieved. The Planning Commission reviewed the item on May 7 and recommended approval. Council approved the amendments unanimously.
