22.90.040 General provisions.
The following standards shall apply to all temporary encampments, except as modified by the category-specific standards otherwise set forth in this chapter:
A. A religious organization may host a temporary encampment for the homeless on property owned or controlled by the religious organization whether within buildings located on the property or elsewhere on the property outside of buildings, subject to the provisions of this chapter.
B. All temporary encampments shall comply with the applicable provisions of RCW 35A.21.360.
C. The host religious organization and/or managing agency shall provide a transportation plan for the temporary encampment, which shall include provisions for access to and from transit services.
D. The host religious organization and/or managing agency shall ensure the temporary encampment’s compliance with all applicable: (1) state laws and regulations; (2) Monroe Municipal Code provisions; (3) fire district directives; and (4) health district standards.
E. The host religious organization and/or the managing agency shall appoint an individual to serve as a permanent point of contact for the temporary encampment.
F. At least one representative of the host religious organization, the managing agency, and/or a designated occupant of the temporary encampment shall be on duty at the temporary encampment all times. Such individual(s) shall be familiar with emergency protocols, equipped with suitable communication devices, and be trained to contact local first responders when necessary. The names and contact information for such individual(s) shall be posted daily at the temporary encampment.
G. The host religious organization and/or the managing agency shall ensure the temporary encampment’s compliance with all applicable public health regulations, including but not limited to the following:
1. Adequate toilet facilities shall be provided on site and shall be set back at least forty feet from all property lines. Restroom access shall be provided either within the buildings on the host property or through use of portable facilities;
2. Hand washing stations shall be provided near the toilets and food preparation areas;
3. Adequate food preparation and/or service tents and/or facilities shall be provided;
4. Solid waste receptacles shall be provided on site throughout the temporary encampment. A regular trash patrol in the immediate vicinity of the temporary encampment site shall also be provided;
5. An adequate supply of potable water shall be available on site at all times; and
6. All applicable city, county, health department, and state regulations pertaining to drinking water connections and solid waste disposal shall be met.
H. Temporary encampments shall not cause or permit the intrusion of noise from the temporary encampment exceeding the applicable thresholds set forth in WAC 173-60-040.
I. The host religious organization and/or the managing agency shall keep a log of the names of all overnight residents of the temporary encampment and the date(s) of their residency.
J. The host religious organization performing any hosting of an outdoor encampment, vehicle resident safe parking, or indoor overnight shelter, or the managing agency, must ensure that the Monroe police department has completed sex offender checks of all adult residents and guests. Provided, that the host religious organization shall retain the discretion to allow such offenders to remain on the property.
K. Periodic inspections of the temporary encampment by public officials from agencies with applicable regulatory jurisdiction, including without limitation the building official and fire marshal, may be conducted at reasonable times, consistent with applicable constitutional and statutory standards.
L. Any host religious organization must work with the city to utilize Washington’s homeless client management information system, as provided for in RCW 43.185C.180.
1. When there is no managing agency, the host religious organization is encouraged to partner with a local homeless services provider using the Washington homeless client managing information system.
2. Any managing agency receiving any funding from local continuum of care programs must utilize the homeless client management information system.
3. Temporary, overnight, extreme weather shelters provided in religious organization buildings are exempt from the requirements of this subsection.
M. Unless otherwise expressly provided by this chapter, temporary encampments may be located in any zoning district. (Ord. 007/2021 § 2 (Exh. A))