The following regulations apply to safe parking in the PF district described in Chapter 18.28 of this Code.
(a) Purpose
The intent of this section is to establish regulations to govern the operation of safe parking programs in the PF district within the City of Palo Alto. The safe parking programs provide interim assistance to households using vehicles as their residence by providing a safe place to park, access to restroom facilities, connection to social service programs, and other support to transition households into permanent, stable housing.
(b) Definitions
(1) "Safe parking" means the providing of shelter of homeless persons and where the shelter is provided in vehicles located in designated safe parking areas.
(2) "Safe parking area" means the area where the vehicles are parked for the safe parking use within a PF district.
(3) "Safe Parking Program Operator" means an agency or organization that facilitates, administers, oversees, and provides staffing for safe parking uses in safe parking areas.
(c) City Council Approval Required
No person shall operate, allow, permit or suffer a safe parking use without approval from the City Council through a contract, license, or lease for safe parking use. Notice of the Council meeting shall be given by mail to owners and residents of property within 600 feet of the subject property. The notice shall include the address of the property, a brief description of the proposed use, and the scheduled date and time of the meeting.
(d) Standards and Conduct of Use
The following standards shall apply to all safe parking uses:
(1) Number of vehicles. The number of vehicles shall be limited to those that can fit in the safe parking area while allowing for at least 10 feet of open space in all directions between each vehicle. In addition, there shall be sufficient clearance for emergency vehicles to access the site. The Fire Department shall review and approve the maximum number of vehicles and the configuration of those vehicles in accordance with the Fire Code and the standards in this section.
(2) Noise. Audio, video, generator, or other amplified sound that is audible outside the vehicles parked in the safe parking program is prohibited.
(3) Shelter in vehicles. All persons receiving safe parking shall shelter within their vehicles overnight. No person shall be housed in tents, lean-tos, pop-outs, or other temporary facilities outside of vehicles.
(4) Required facilities. Accessible restroom facilities, including a toilet and handwashing sink, shall be available to persons utilizing the site for safe parking at all times during the hours of operation. These facilities may be the existing onsite facilities or mobile facilities brought onsite on a temporary basis to serve persons utilizing safe parking.
(5) Contact information. The following emergency contact information shall be posted on site in a place readily visible to persons utilizing safe parking: (i) a contact phone number for the safe parking program operator; (ii) the police non-emergency phone number; and (iii) 911. The safe parking program operator shall be available at all hours of operation at the posted phone number and shall be the first contact for non-emergency matters.
(6) Connection to county case management system. The safe parking use shall be managed and operated by a safe parking program operator that participates in the Santa Clara County Homeless Management Information System.
(7) Safe, clean, orderly premises. The safe parking area and other onsite areas accessed by persons utilizing safe parking shall be maintained in a safe, clean and orderly condition and manner.
(8) No leakage of contaminants. Black/grey water from vehicles shall be properly disposed offsite in accordance with all relevant laws and regulations. Vehicles that leak domestic sewage (including black/gray water) or other waste fluids or solids, or other fluids (including, but not limited to, gasoline, transmission or radiator fluid or engine oil), excluding potable water, are prohibited.
(9) Compliance with laws. The safe parking use shall be operated in a manner that is fully in conformance with all state and local laws and regulations.
(d) No Assignment. No person shall assign or transfer a safe parking program contract, license, or lease issued in compliance with this section without written city approval.
(Ord. 5505 § 3, 2020)