Grand Terrace, Cal., Code of Ordinances ch. 18.67 § 18.67.010
Rooming and boarding houses
Operative Text
Rooming and boarding houses (including parolee-probationer homes and sober living homes) as defined in Section 18.06.675 of this Title, may be established only upon approval of a conditional use permit for six or fewer occupants, and shall be prohibited for more than six occupants subject to the following standards: A. Conditional Use Permit Required. It shall be unlawful in all zones of the City to operate a rooming and boarding house, a parolee-probationer home and/or sober living home without first having obtained a conditional use permit. B. Filing Requirements. The application for a conditional use permit for a rooming and boarding house, parolee-probationer home or sober living home shall include the following information: 1. Client profile (the subgroup of the population the facility is intended to serve, such as single men, families, elderly, minor children, developmentally disabled, etc.); 2. Maximum number of occupants including support staff; 3. Proposed maximum stay for each resident, parolee-probationer or occupant; 4. Support services to be provided on-site and projected staffing level, if any; 5. Site plan and floor plans; and 6. Rules of conduct and business management plan. C. Site Location Criteria. In evaluating a proposed rooming and boarding house, parolee-probationer home or sober living home, the following criteria shall be considered: 1. Compatibility of the use with neighboring uses; 2. Establishment of the facility will not result in harm to the health, safety or general welfare of the surrounding neighborhood, and substantial adverse impacts on adjoining properties or land uses will not result; 3. The facility shall be located along or near a collector or arterial street with reasonable access to public transportation; 4. The facility shall be accessible to necessary support services; and 5. In the case of the sober living and parolee-probationer home, it shall not be located within 1,000 feet of a public or private school (pre-school through 12th grade), student housing, senior housing, child care facilities, public parks and trails or businesses licensed for on-or off-site sales of alcoholic beverages, as measured from any point on the outside walls of the home to the nearest property line of the noted use. D. Development Standards. Any rooming and boarding house, parolee-probationer home or sober living home shall comply with the following: 1. The facility shall be compatible with the character of the surrounding neighborhood; 2. Sufficient on-site parking shall be provided. The precise number of parking spaces required will be determined by the approving authority based on the operating characteristics of the specific proposal; 3. Both indoor and outdoor open areas shall be provided on site; 4. All setback standards of the underlying zone shall be met; 5. Signs as permitted in Chapter 18.80 ; 6. On-site staff supervision shall be required for parolee-probationer homes and sober living homes during all hours of operation; 7. Individual client stays at parolee-probationer homes and sober living homes shall not exceed 180 days; and 8. The facility's management shall participate in any formal residential crime prevention program (i.e., Crime Free Multi-Housing Program) provided by the City and as required under the conditional use permit. If the program offers certification then that certification shall be obtained and maintained in current status.
Grand Terrace Code of Ordinances ch. 18.67 § 18.67.010 governs the establishment and operation of rooming and boarding houses, parolee-probationer homes, and sober living homes within the city. Facilities serving six or fewer occupants may only operate after receiving a conditional use permit, while those intended for more than six occupants are prohibited outright. The ordinance sets out detailed requirements covering application materials, site location criteria, and development standards—including a 1,000-foot buffer from schools and similar sensitive uses for sober living and parolee-probationer homes, and a 180-day cap on individual resident stays at those facilities.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of rooming and boarding houses, parolee-probationer homes, or sober living homes in Grand Terrace must secure a conditional use permit before beginning operations, as required by ch. 18.67 § 18.67.010. A compliant operator typically prepares a thorough application that includes a client profile, maximum occupancy count, proposed length of stay, a site plan, and a business management plan, and ensures the proposed location meets all site criteria such as proximity to transit and distance from schools. Ongoing compliance generally involves maintaining on-site staff supervision at all hours for parolee-probationer and sober living homes, keeping individual stays within the 180-day limit, and participating in any city-required crime prevention certification program.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Residents of rooming and boarding houses, parolee-probationer homes, or sober living homes in Grand Terrace have an interest in knowing that ch. 18.67 § 18.67.010 requires the facility to hold a valid conditional use permit and to meet specific operating standards, including on-site supervision and limits on length of stay. If a facility appears to be operating without a permit or in violation of its permit conditions, residents or neighbors may raise concerns with the City of Grand Terrace's planning or code enforcement department. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help individuals understand how these local land-use requirements interact with their housing situation.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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