OC Sober Living Homes Under New Ordinances for 2020

SANTA ANA, CA —An ordinance was updated Tuesday by the Orange County supervisors to regulate group homes or "sober living homes" in unincorporated parts of the county.

The new ordinance would impose a required 1,000-foot distance between the sober-living facilities, in what is called a "buffer rule."

Group homes in unincorporated Orange County tend to be unlicensed sober-living facilities. They often draw complaints from neighbors about second-hand smoke and noise and shrinking parking spots, the supervisors say. Supervisor Don Wagner was drawn to the problem by the people he represents. Realing the board of supervisors could "do more," Wagner led the charge for change.

Mandating a thousand-foot distance between homes will eliminate a "congregation of these homes in any area," Wagner said.

"It's good for those trying to get their lives back in order, it's good for the neighborhoods... and it's good for the schools that we have a bigger buffer," Wagner said.

Wagner noted the law only applies in unincorporated areas of the county, not in the cities.

"It is to the city council one must look to regulation of these sober living homes" in the facilities not on county land, Wagner said.

The buffer rule applies to sober-living facilities that house seven or more.

The ordinance mandates operators provide more information about their operation and limits occupants to six or fewer in single-family residential districts.

Group home operators must have an on-site house manager around the clock, and the residents must be actively involved in recovery programs.
The law also prohibits alcohol and non-prescription drug use and makes residents comply with sex-offender registration requirements. Guests will also be prohibited from getting drunk or high on site.

City News Service, Patch Editor Ashley Ludwig contributed to this report.