(A) Fair housing laws impose an affirmative duty on local governments to make reasonable accommodation in their building, land use, and zoning regulations and practices when such accommodation may be necessary to afford disabled individuals an equal opportunity for housing.
(B) In furtherance of the purposes of the fair housing laws, this chapter is intended to preserve the residential character of single-family residential neighborhoods; ensure that group homes, including sober-living facilities, are actually entitled to reasonable accommodation; limit the secondary impacts of group homes, including sober-living facilities, by reducing noise and traffic; preserve safety and provide adequate on-street parking in residential areas; provide an accommodation for disabled individuals that is reasonable and actually bears some resemblance to the opportunities afforded nondisabled individuals to use and enjoy a dwelling in a residential neighborhood; and to provide a living environment that will enhance the opportunity for the disabled to be successful in their programs. Pursuant to fair housing laws, this chapter also is created to provide disabled individuals with reasonable accommodation in rules, policies, practices, and procedures to ensure equal access to housing and to facilitate the development of housing for individuals with such recognized disabilities when these disabilities may act as a barrier to fair-housing opportunities.
(C) This chapter establishes a procedure for making requests for reasonable accommodation in building, land use, and zoning regulations, policies, practices, and procedures to comply fully with the intent and purpose of fair housing laws. Unless a group home has been granted reasonable accommodation as provided in this chapter, group homes shall comply with all building, land use, and zoning regulations, policies, practices, and procedures applicable to the zoning classification in which they are located.
(Ord. 2022-7, passed 5-3-22)