Commission extends Humboldt County safe‑parking pilot and updates emergency‑housing alignment with state law

The Humboldt County Planning Commission voted to adopt ordinance amendments extending the inland and coastal Safe Parking/Safe Shelter Pilot Program until Jan. 1, 2036, aligning the county ordinance with state legislation (Assembly Bill 1395) that broadens local authority to use emergency‑housing building standards.

Planner Megan Oavdo presented the staff report, explaining that the pilot, first approved in 2022 and previously extended, allows government agencies, religious institutions, nonprofits and private nonprofit organizations to operate no‑cost safe parking and shelter sites for people living in vehicles. The amendments update code references to current emergency‑housing building standards and add a coastal provision restricting gray‑ or black‑water discharge from recreational vehicles unless authorized by a site management plan.

Commissioners asked procedural questions about the length of the extension. Staff explained the state's Assembly Bill 1395 extended the timeframe during which local jurisdictions may rely on streamlined emergency‑housing standards until 2036; the county extension follows that timeline. After a short public‑comment period (one brief online comment) and questions from the commission, a motion to adopt the resolutions and associated ordinances carried on a roll‑call vote with all members present voting in favor.

What the action does: The adoption formally extends Ordinance No. 2729 and applies consistent inland and coastal language (including wastewater limits on coastal parcels), brings building‑code citations up to date, and maintains existing program conditions such as eligible operators and operational rules.

What it does not do: The action does not expand the types of eligible operators beyond those specified in the ordinance or create new funding commitments. Enforcement and site‑level approvals remain subject to program rules and management plans.