18A.39.040 Safe Parking on Religious Organization Parking Lots.
Safe Parking on property owned or controlled by a Religious Organization shall be a permitted use when established consistent with the following standards:
A. Host and Location. Safe Parking hosted by Religious Organizations is allowed on property owned or controlled by a Religious Organization on any legally established off-street parking lot. The Safe Parking Host may be a Religious Organization or Social Services Provider; provided, that both the host and the Religious Organization are parties to the Memorandum of Understanding described in PCC 18A.39.040.B.
B. Memorandum of Understanding. The Safe Parking Host shall execute a Memorandum of Understanding with Pierce County Human Services pursuant to RCW 36.01.290(3) and including the following elements:
1. The right of vehicle residents who utilize the Safe Parking facility to stay there without charge and seek public health and safety assistance.
2. How the vehicle residents will be able to access social services on site.
3. Vehicle resident's ability to interact with the Safe Parking Host, including how vehicle residents can express concerns regarding the Safe Parking Host.
4. Site safety and security measures.
5. Safe Parking Host responsibilities in accordance with requirements in this Chapter.
6. Contact information for Pierce County Human Services staff and Safe Parking Host.
7. Remedies for violations by vehicle residents of Safe Parking standards in this Chapter or other applicable regulations.
8. If the Safe Parking Host receives public funding, the Safe Parking Host's ability to interact with the vehicle residents of the facility using a release of information.
9. Any appropriate coordination with local agencies administering the homeless client management information system.
10. If the Safe Parking Host receives public funding, a prohibition on the host refusing admission of a vehicle resident based solely on age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, veteran or military status, presence of any disability, or use of a service animal.
11. Duration of the Safe Parking site. This shall include an outline or incorporation by reference of procedures established by Pierce County Human Services for the cessation of Safe Parking operations and expiration or termination of the Memorandum of Understanding.
12. Any other element the Pierce County Human Services deems necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare for the vehicle residents and the surrounding community. For example, temporary visual screening measures to provide relief to surrounding residential uses.
13. Any Religious Organization may submit to the Director of Human Services a request for relief of any provision herein which is found to pose a substantial burden on the Religious Organization's decisions or actions in locating a Safe Parking site. These will be considered for relief, provided that there is no impairment to the public's health, safety and welfare.
C. Public Notice. A public meeting led by the Safe Parking Host shall be held at least seven calendar days prior to finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding for the purpose of providing a forum for discussion of related neighborhood concerns unless the use is in response to a declared emergency.
1. At least 14 calendar days prior to the meeting, the Safe Parking Host shall post notice of the meeting at the proposed Safe Parking site and at the meeting site.
2. The Safe Parking Host shall mail notice to all properties, property owners of record, and residents within a radius of 300 feet, but not less than two parcels deep, around the exterior boundaries of the proposed Safe Parking site. Pierce County Human Services shall provide the host with a mailing list if requested. The host shall submit to the County an affidavit documenting that the posting and notice requirements have been satisfied.
3. Written notice of the meeting shall be provided to the County at least seven days prior to the meeting. The notice must specify the time, place, and purpose of the meeting, and proposed location of the Safe Parking site. The County shall post notice of the meeting on the County's website pursuant to RCW 36.01.290.
D. Site Liaisons.
1. Site Coordinator. The Safe Parking Host shall provide a point of contact to serve as the primary Site Coordinator. The Site Coordinator's contact information shall be provided to the County, vehicle residents, and neighbors receiving public notice. The Site Coordinator's name(s) and contact information shall be posted at the site.
2. On-Site Supervisor. For Safe Parking sites of 10 or more vehicles, an On-Site Supervisor, in addition to a Site Coordinator, may be required following negotiations between the Human Services Department and the Host Organization with the responsibilities of the On-Site Supervisor described in the Memorandum of Understanding.
E. Vehicle Resident Log.
1. The Safe Parking Host shall take all reasonable and legal steps to obtain verifiable identification information, including full name and date of birth, from current and prospective vehicle residents and shall keep a log containing this information.
2. No guests shall be allowed unless approved by the Safe Parking Host.
F. On-site Parking Occupancy Limits. The Safe Parking site shall not reduce or interfere with the minimum number of on-site parking spaces required for any existing on-site uses unless a Memorandum of Understanding is agreed between the Safe Parking Host and the County that ensures adequate parking remains available. In no instance shall more than 20 percent of the parking spaces on an individual site be utilized for Safe Parking purposes.
G. Operable Vehicles. All passenger or recreational vehicles admitted to the Safe Parking facility shall be in working condition and easily moved. The Safe Parking Host shall remove any junk vehicles in accordance with Chapter 8.08 PCC. The host shall inform vehicle residents of how to comply with laws regarding the legal status of vehicles and drivers.
H. Criminal Background Check.
1. The Safe Parking Host shall perform background checks of prospective vehicle residents, including other reference checks, as required by RCW 36.01.290.
2. The Safe Parking Host shall prohibit any prospective vehicle resident with an active warrant for a violent or sex offense and shall immediately contact the Pierce County Sheriff Office.
I. Public Health and Sanitation. The Safe Parking Host shall ensure all applicable public health regulations are met for any cooking, sanitation, or other facilities provided.
1. Facilities shall be provided to meet the basic needs of the vehicle residents, including:
a. On-site restroom access or portable toilet facilities. If Recreational Vehicles are hosted on site, equipment necessary to dispose of waste from those vehicles is required to be available on site to the vehicle residents.
b. On-site potable water and handwashing stations.
c. On-site trash receptacles that are sized appropriately for the needs of the site, i.e., no garbage is to be overflowing or on the ground.
d. Proper disposal of human sanitary waste, grey water, and garbage, such as through a servicing contract with an appropriately licensed company or by utilizing facilities with legal sewer or on-site septic connections.
2. The provision of any facility in PCC 18A.39.040.I.1 is subject to the following:
a. If the facility is not located within the bounds of the Safe Parking site, the Safe Parking Host is responsible for maintaining the service contract, easement, or other document required to secure legal access to the facilities.
b. All sanitary waste, garbage, or grey water shall be disposed of at a location approved by the Health District or by a licensed company.
J. Code of Conduct. A code of conduct shall be prepared, distributed, and enforced by the Safe Parking Host that addresses vehicle resident behavior including, at minimum, the following:
1. Site cleanliness.
2. Good neighbor practices.
3. Quiet hours.
4. Prohibition on open flames.
5. Prohibition on the public use of controlled substances and other illegal activity.
6. Abiding by the site's guest admittance policy.
K. General Health and Safety.
1. Fire extinguishers shall be accessible to vehicle residents.
2. Wherever electrical power is provided, power protection devices shall be installed.
3. Any general public health and safety information provided by the County, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, or any other public agency shall be clearly posted on site and distributed to vehicle residents.
4. Provisions for on-site first aid shall be available to vehicle residents.
L. Inspection. The Safe Parking Host shall permit inspections by the officials of Pierce County, Pierce County Sheriff or Washington State Patrol, or Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, without prior notice, of those portions of the Safe Parking site that are located outdoors and are plainly visible.