Skip to main content
Loading…
This section is included in your selections.

The City may issue a temporary and revocable special permit for a permitted temporary shelter subject to the following criteria and requirements:

(1) Site Criteria.

(a) Size. The property must be sufficient in size to accommodate the maximum number of residents and, for permitted temporary shelters not situated within a permanent structure, must have necessary on-site facilities, including but not limited to the following:

(i) A food tent or building and host tent or building;

(ii) Sanitary toilets in the number required to meet capacity guidelines;

(iii) Hand washing facilities near the toilets and by any food areas;

(iv) Refuse receptacles; and

(v) Verified service contracts for all temporary facilities for the duration of the temporary shelter.

(b) Water Source. The managing agency shall provide an adequate source of potable water to the permitted temporary shelter as approved by the City.

(c) Sensitive Areas. No permitted temporary shelter shall be located within a sensitive or critical area or its buffer as defined in PMC Title 28.

(d) Limitation on Residents. For each permitted temporary shelter, the Department shall determine if the proposed maximum number of residents at the permitted temporary shelter is so great as to endanger public health and safety. In making this determination, the Department may consider the site’s size, location, structures, and any other relevant factors.

(e) Parking. The site shall provide an adequate number of parking spaces for the number of vehicles used by permitted temporary shelter residents and staff. If the site has other uses besides the permitted temporary shelter, it shall be shown that the permitted temporary shelter will not create an undue shortage of required on-site parking for the other use or uses on the property.

(f) Public Transportation. Whenever possible, the permitted temporary shelter should be located within one-quarter mile of a bus stop with service seven days per week. If the permitted temporary shelter is not located within one-quarter mile of a bus stop with service seven days per week, the managing agency shall demonstrate the ability for residents to obtain access to the nearest public transportation stop, such as carpools or shuttle buses.

(g) Screening. The permitted temporary shelter shall be adequately buffered and screened to be sight-obscuring from adjacent rights-of-way and residential properties. Screening shall be a minimum height of six feet and may include, but is not limited to, a combination of fencing, landscaping, or the placement of the permitted temporary shelter behind buildings. The type of screening shall be approved by the City.

(h) Privacy for Sanitary Facilities. All sanitary portable toilets shall be screened to be sight-obscuring from adjacent properties and rights-of-way. The type of screening shall be approved by the City and may include, but is not limited to, a combination of fencing and/or landscaping.

(i) Distance Requirements to Sensitive Land Uses. No permitted temporary shelter shall be permitted within 300 feet of a licensed child daycare facility or any public or private preschool or elementary, middle, or high school. However, this prohibition may be waived by provisions contained in the special permit if the owner of such daycare or school states in a signed and notarized statement that he or she agrees to the placement of the permitted temporary shelter on that site. Any such statement must be submitted to the Department either with the application for a special permit or within seven calendar days of the application’s submission.

(j) Approved Shelters. Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, no permitted temporary shelter shall be permitted unless the managing agency plans to shelter residents in approved shelters provided by the managing agency, provided by the residents themselves, or otherwise provided for the residents.

(2) Security.

(a) Operations and Security Plan. The managing agency shall demonstrate the capacity to implement the operations and security plan required by PMC 25.205.040(1)(i).

(b) Code of Conduct. The managing agency shall ensure that the permitted temporary shelter has a written, enforceable code of conduct which at a minimum prohibits alcohol, nonprescribed drugs, weapons, violence, and open fires. The code of conduct should also address other issues related to camp and neighborhood safety. The managing agency shall demonstrate the capacity to enforce the code of conduct.

(c) In addition to the standards in this subsection, the managing agency may adopt and enforce additional code of conduct conditions not otherwise inconsistent with this section.

(3) Indoor Permitted Temporary Shelters. The special permit may allow for an indoors permitted temporary shelter inside a permanent building or structure subject to the following criteria and requirements:

(a) Compliance with Building Codes. An indoor permitted temporary shelter shall comply with the requirements of the City’s building codes. However, pursuant to RCW 19.27.042, the City’s Inspection Services Division shall have the authority to exempt code deficiencies, but in no event will it exempt code deficiencies constituting a clear and present, grave and immediate danger to public health or safety.

(b) Building Criteria. The buildings proposed for use shall be of sufficient size to accommodate the residents and must have necessary on-site facilities, including but not limited to the following:

(i) An adequate supply of potable water;

(ii) Sanitary toilets in the number required to meet capacity guidelines;

(iii) Hand washing facilities by the toilets and food areas;

(iv) Refuse receptacles; and

(v) Kitchen facilities for food preparation.

(c) All applicable health standards for providing and using facilities required under subsection (3)(b) of this section shall be satisfied as required by the City’s Inspection Services Division. [Ord. 4434 § 1, 2019.]