Council approves zoning and licensing changes for group homes and residential care facilities

Lake Forest — The City Council unanimously adopted zoning and municipal-code amendments on July 7 that update how group homes, residential care facilities and boarding houses are regulated in the city.

Planning Manager Amy Stonich described amendments to Title V and Title IX to align the municipal code with state law and recent court decisions. Key features include a city-level group-home licensing program for nonexempt facilities, objective operational standards (parking, safety plans, house-manager requirements), a 650-foot separation requirement to prevent overconcentration, and a two-year renewal/inspection regime with revocation authority for repeated violations. State-licensed facilities with six or fewer residents remain exempt from the city license requirement.

Staff told council existing facilities would have 90 days after the ordinance’s effective date to obtain a license or demonstrate hardship; in some cases, relocation could be necessary if spacing cannot be achieved. The Planning Commission reviewed the item on May 7 and recommended approval. Council approved the amendments unanimously.