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ZOA No. 2025-01, OA No. 2025-01, and Fee Resolution (Group Home Ordinance and <br />Group Home Special Use Permit and Operator’s Permit Fees) <br />August 19, 2025 <br />Page 4 <br />5 <br />2 <br />0 <br />9 <br />Item Existing Zoning Code <br />Regulations <br />Proposed Zoning Code Amendment <br />Operator Qualifications Not addressed.1. Sec. 41-2402(e) places clear <br />regulations and qualifications for <br />operators of small group homes. <br />2. Sec. 8-3600 et seq. places clear <br />regulations and qualification for <br />operations of large group homes. <br />Existing Homes Not addressed.1. Sec. 41-2404 requires existing <br />homes with 6 or less occupants to <br />apply for a Group Home Special <br />Use Permit within 90 days of <br />effective date. <br />2. Sec. 41-2405 requires existing <br />home with 7 or more occupants to <br />obtain an Operator's Permit within <br />120 days of effective date. <br />Reasonable Accommodation Not explicitly addressed.Sec. 41-2402(b)(16) expressly states <br />that a reasonable accommodation <br />seeking relief from applicable <br />standards may be applied for (Sec. 41- <br />652, 41-653, 41-654, and 41-655). <br />Background <br />Like many other cities in California, Santa Ana has experienced a rise in the number of <br />group homes within single-family residential neighborhoods. The proliferation of group <br />homes has led to an increase in code enforcement complaints and calls for service from <br />residents relating to impacts associated with such uses. <br />The FFHA and FEHA prohibit discrimination against individuals on the basis of race, color, <br />religion, sex, national origin, family status and disability through zoning or other land use <br />practices. Because of these laws, cities cannot develop zoning or land use regulations that <br />would discriminate against individuals with disabilities. As defined by the FFHA and FEHA, <br />persons with disabilities are individuals with mental or physical impairments that <br />substantially limit one or more major life activities. Such disabilities include but are not limited <br />to blindness, mobility impairment, mental illness, learning disabilities, and alcoholism and <br />drug addiction. <br />Present Status in Santa Ana <br />The City’s ability to limit the impacts of group homes on the community are regulated by <br />state and federal legislation. Current provisions of the SAMC do not clearly define group <br />homes. In addition, the SAMC does not expressly identify or allow these uses; rather, the <br />SAMC only specifies residential uses in general terms and such facilities have established <br />in residential zones without any type of zoning permit approval. Because of this, the City’s <br />Code Enforcement Division has encountered challenges in its efforts to regulate group <br />homes. Furthermore, the City has witnessed an increasing amount of clustered group