HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-17-2015 PH1 Code Amendment - Odor Nuisance
Mar. 17, 2015
PH1
FROM: Derek Johnson, Community Development Director
Prepared By: Greg Hermann, Special Projects Manager
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE TO ADD AN ODOR NUISANCE
PROVISION TO THE MUNICIPAL CODE
RECOMMENDATION
Introduce an Ordinance adding Chapter 8.22 of the San Luis Obispo Municipal Code to regulate
offensive odors.
DISCUSSION
Background
This item is a follow up to a City Council public hearing regarding the cultivation of medical
marijuana.
Since the passage of Proposition 215 in 1996, also known as the “Compassionate Use Act,” medical
marijuana cultivation, processing and distribution in California has become increasingly more
common. Although cultivation, processing, distribution and consumption of marijuana for qualified
medicinal purposes is exempt from enforcement under certain state criminal statutes, recent court
decisions have affirmed that cities retain full regulatory authority to prohibit and/or regulate
medicinal marijuana related activities and land uses within their jurisdictions. Also, marijuana
remains an illegal substance under the Federal Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.,
with no Federally recognized medicinal use.
On September 3, 2013, the City began receiving complaints from community members that the
outdoor cultivation of medical marijuana in residential neighborhoods was creating significant odor
issues and that ongoing cultivation was creating health and safety concerns to adjacent neighbors
and negatively impacting the surrounding community. In response to these concerns, the City
Council directed staff to agendize consideration of regulatory options to address the issue.
On May 6, 2014, the City Council held a public hearing to review a proposed ordinance to prohibit
medical marijuana cultivation, processing and distribution in all areas of the City, with limited
exceptions for qualified patients and primary caregivers. Specific provisions were included for
cultivation by qualified patients and primary caregivers that included a prohibition on outdoor
cultivation and limitations on the size of indoor cultivation.
Council Direction
After testimony from the public and deliberation by the City Council, the ordinance was not
approved and staff was directed to focus on the potential nuisance effects of medical marijuana
cultivation, such as odor, and utilize existing code enforcement tools to address such adverse
impacts. There was no direction by the City Council to return with an ordinance to specifically
regulate the method or scope of medical marijuana cultivation. The City Council also directed staff
that it was not interested in considering new or amended ordinance language related to medical
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Odor Nuisance Page 2
marijuana dispensaries, beyond what is currently embodied in the City’s Municipal Code (i.e.,
dispensaries are not currently listed as an allowed use within the City and, like other non-permitted
uses, are prohibited). Finally, the City Council directed that the issue be vetted through the
appropriate advisory bodies.
Additional Complaints
Since the initial complaint in September of 2013, the City has received additional complaints
regarding at least two more locations regarding outdoor medical marijuana cultivation in residential
neighborhoods. Each complaint has cited odor, as well as other issues including safety and traffic
impacts.
Human Relations Commission Study Session
In accordance with City Council direction, on February 4, 2015, the Human Relations Commission
(HRC) held a public hearing to discuss various options for addressing this issue. The study session
provided an opportunity for the HRC, as well as the general public, to provide feedback to guide the
development of policy recommendations for consideration by the City Council.
At the hearing, the HRC studied approaches other cities have used to address issues related to
medical marijuana. While many of those cities have developed separate chapters in their municipal
codes with specific regulations pertaining to dispensaries, and indoor and outdoor cultivation, the
study session focused on the specific elements of those ordinances related to mitigating and
enforcing against potential adverse impacts from medical marijuana cultivation. The staff report
(Attachment 1) looked at examples from the cities of Rancho Cordova, CA, Riverside, CA and
Boulder, CO, to illustrate the spectrum of policy options. The HRC was asked to consider these
policy options in light of public testimony and provide feedback to staff.
After public comment and deliberation by the HRC, general consensus was reached to recommend
adding an odor nuisance definition to the Municipal Code. The HRC felt that this definition should
include nuisances that result from any odor, not just those related to the cultivation of medical
marijuana. There was also discussion that the ordinance should have certain thresholds established
for taking enforcement action.
Finally, the HRC expressed concerns related to the narrow scope of this approach relative to the size
and complexity of the broader issue of medical marijuana in the community.
Proposed Ordinance
Currently, the City has a variety of nuisances defined within the Municipal Code, but does not have
any specific provisions for odor. Based on direction from the City Council, feedback from the HRC
and testimony by the public, staff has drafted the proposed Ordinance to create a new section in
Chapter 8 (Health and Safety) of the Municipal Code to define odor nuisances.
The specific proposed provision for odor nuisances is as follows:
A. It is hereby declared to be unlawful and a public nuisance to cause or permit any odors,
which are offensive to individuals of normal sensitivity, to emanate across any parcel or
property line.
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Odor Nuisance Page 3
B. An odor shall be presumed offensive to individuals of normal sensitivity if the City
receives three or more verified complaints of an odor emanating across a property line from
individuals representing separate residences or places of business within the city within a
one month time span concerning an odor emanating from a single source, but nothing in this
section shall be deemed to require three complaints before the City may initiate enforcement
action.
C. Nothing in this Chapter shall be deemed to prohibit the normal operations of any
governmental agency or municipal facility operating pursuant to otherwise applicable law
or regulatory permit.
This language was developed using relevant ordinances from other cities as well as current nuisance
definitions in the San Luis Obispo Municipal Code. In order for a property to be in violation of the
proposed Ordinance, City staff must verify the violation to exist. For this Ordinance, the odor must
be found “offensive to individuals of normal sensitivity” which will be determined on a case by
case basis in light of the underlying facts and circumstances. The proposed ordinance does include a
presumption that any odor is “offensive to individuals of normal sensitivity” if the City receives
three or more complaints within a one month period regarding an odor from a single source. The
presumption can always be rebutted by contrary evidence presented by the party charged with
violating the ordinance. If the City takes code enforcement action without three complaints within a
one month period, the City must affirmatively establish, as a threshold to enforcement, that the odor
is “offensive to individuals of normal sensitivity” as verified by City staff.
The complete language for the new section can be found in the proposed ordinance (Attachment 2).
Enforcement
Adding a provision regulating offensive odors in the City’s Municipal Code will allow the City to
take enforcement action on any conditions which cause offensive odors to emanate across property
lines. The City would be able to use a variety of enforcement tools including, but not limited to,
issuing an administrative citation, which is subject to the City’s appeal procedures. Enforcement of
the recommended changes would continue through the existing operations and resources of Code
Enforcement and Community Development Department staff.
CONCURRENCES
A team of staff from the Community Development, Police and Administration departments as well
as the City Attorney’s Office participated in the development and review of the draft ordinance.
FISCAL IMPACT
The proposed Ordinance adds an additional nuisance definition to the City’s Municipal Code. All
nuisance complaints are currently investigated and enforced by Code Enforcement staff and
prosecuted by the City Attorney. At this time, the impacts of implementing and enforcing the
additional elements of the ordinances can be incorporated into existing resources.
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Odor Nuisance Page 4
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve the proposed ordinance and direct staff to facilitate a study session on the
topic of medical marijuana. The City Council may approve the proposed ordinance and
also direct staff to facilitate a study session to discuss processes to approach medical
marijuana regulations.
2. Amend the proposed ordinance. The City Council may modify the proposed amendments
to the Municipal Code. Specific direction should be given to staff regarding any
modifications.
3. Continue the proposed ordinance. The City Council may continue action, if more
information is needed. Direction should be given to staff regarding additional information
needed to make a decision.
4. Reject the proposed ordinance. The City Council may reject the proposed ordinance
although public testimony demonstrates that an ordinance is needed.
ATTACHMENTS
1. February 4, 2015 Human Relations Commission Study Session Report
2. Proposed Ordinance
T:\Council Agenda Reports\2015\2015-03-17\Medical Marijuana (Johnson-Hermann)\ECAR- Odor Nuisance.docx
PH1-4
Meeting Date: February 4, 2015
Item Number: 12
HUMAN RELATIONSCOMMISSION AGENDA REPORT
SUBJECT: Medical Marijuana Cultivation and Nuisance Abatement Study Session
PROJECT ADDRESS: Citywide BY: GregHermann, Special Projects Manager
Phone Number: 781-7194
e-mail: ghermann@slocity.org
FROM: Kim Murry, Deputy Director
Recommendation
1. Receive a presentation on enforcement tools and policy options to address potential nuisance
conditions related to medical marijuana cultivation.
2. Provide feedback to staff regarding potential amendments to the Municipal Code.
Background
Medical marijuana cultivation, processing and distribution in California havebecome increasingly
common since the adoption of Proposition 215, also known as the “CompassionateUse Act”, in 1996.
Althoughcultivation processing, distribution and consumption of marijuana for qualified medicinal
purposes is exempted from enforcement under certain state criminal statutes, recent court decisions
have affirmed that cities retain full regulatory to prohibit and/or regulate medicinal marijuana related
activities and land uses within their jurisdictional limits. Also, marijuana remains an illegal substance
underthe Federal Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.
On September 3, 2013, the City began receiving complaints from community members that outdoor
medical marijuana cultivation in a residential area was creating noxious odors and that the ongoing
cultivation was creating health and safety concerns to adjacent neighbors and neighborhoods. In
response to these concerns, the City Council directed staff to agendize regulatory options to address the
issue.
On May 6, 2014, the City Council held a public hearing to review a proposed ordinance1 to prohibit
medicalmarijuana cultivation, processing and distribution in all areas of the City, with limited
exceptions for qualified patients and primary caregivers. Specific provisions were included for
cultivationbyqualified patients and primary caregivers that included a prohibition on outdoor
cultivation and limitations on the size of indoor cultivation.
Council Direction
After significant testimony from the public and deliberation by the City Council, the ordinance was not
approved and staff was directed to focus only on enforcement tools to address the effects of medical
marijuana cultivation when they reach the level of a nuisance. Much of the discussion by the City
Council focused on theidea of adding provisions to the City’s Municipal Code that would permit the
City to define and address potential nuisance effects of medical marijuana cultivation, such as odor,
1 May 6th, 2014 City Council AgendaReport: http://opengov.slocity.org/WebLink8/DocView.aspx?id=17291&dbid=1
Item 1
KM
gh
Attachment 1
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Medical Marijuana Cultivation and Nuisance Abatement Study Session (Citywide)
Page 2
and to enforce against violations of such provisions via existing enforcement methods. There was no
direction by the City Council to return with an ordinance tospecifically regulatethe method or scope
of medical marijuana cultivation, so long as such cultivation does notresult in adverse impacts to
residents or neighborhoods. The City Council also directed that it was not interested in considering
new or amended ordinance language related to medicalmarijuana dispensaries, beyond what is
currently embodied in the City’s Municipal Code (i.e., dispensaries are not currently listed as an
allowed use within the City and, therefore, are prohibited). Finally, the City Council asked that the
issue be vetted through the appropriate advisory bodies. The Human Relations Commission (HRC) is
the appropriate advisorybody to review the issue and provide feedback for Council consideration.
Since the initial complaint, the City has received numerous complaints regarding at least two
additional locations of outdoor medicalmarijuana cultivation in residential neighborhoods. Each
complaint has cited odor, in addition to other issues including safety and traffic impacts, as a
significant source of the concern.
Nuisance Determination Options for Medical Marijuana Cultivation
There are a variety of approaches other cities have used to addressissues related to medicalmarijuana.
Many have developed separate chapters in their municipal codes with specific regulations pertaining
to dispensaries, and indoor and outdoor cultivation.
Given the focus of the City Council direction, this report will focuson specific elements of these
ordinancesrelated to mitigating and enforcing against nuisance conditionsresulting from medical
marijuana cultivation.
One option available to the City is to identify all of the potential nuisance conditions that can result
from the cultivation of medical marijuana and expressly define the creation or maintenance of those
conditions as prohibited nuisances underthe City’s Municipal Code. The City of Rancho Cordova has
defined several types of medical marijuana cultivation related nuisances as a part of a broader,
comprehensive ordinance addressing medical marijuana. Those nuisances are identified and defined as
follows:
6.90.050 Public nuisance.
It is hereby declared to be unlawful for any person owning, leasing, occupying, or having
charge or possession of anyparcel within the city of Rancho Cordova to create a public
nuisance in the course of cultivating marijuana plants or any partthereof. A public nuisance
may bedeemed to exist if such activity produces:
A. Odors which are disturbing to people of normal sensitivity residing or present on adjacent or
nearby property or areas open to the public;
B. Repeated responses (more than three times in a one-year time period) to the parcel fromlaw
enforcement officers;
C. Repeated disruption (more than three times in a one-year time period) to the free passage of
persons or vehicles in the neighborhood;
D. Excessive noise in violation of applicable city noise standards in the general plan or
Item 1Attachment 1
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Medical Marijuana Cultivation and Nuisance Abatement Study Session (Citywide)
Page 3
municipal code;
E. Any other impacts on the neighborhood which are disruptive of normal activity in the area.”2
As previously noted, the majority of complaints received to date in San Luis Obispo regarding medical
marijuana cultivation in the City have specified odor as one of the major offending factors, which is
similar to what other jurisdictions are experiencing. Currently, the City has a variety of nuisances
defined within the Municipal Code, but does not have any specific provisions for odor. As such, one
policy option available is to add provisions to the Municipal Code defining pervasiveodors impacting
adjacent properties or residents related to medical marijuana cultivation as a prohibited nuisance
condition. This has been theapproach used by the City of Boulder, CO. Boulder also has a
comprehensive ordinance for medical marijuana, which includes a more specific definition of a public
nuisance related to odor and goes into greater detail regarding a threshold for initiating enforcement
action related to thenumber of complaints from surrounding neighbors. Those provisionsinclude:
5-10-6: Marijuana Odor Emissions.
a) No person, tenant, occupant, or property owner shall permit the emission of
marijuana odor from any source to result in detectable odors that leave the premises
upon which theyoriginated and interfere with the reasonable and comfortable use and
enjoyment of another's property.
b) Whether or not a marijuanaodor emission interferes with the reasonable and
comfortable use and enjoyment of a property shall bemeasured against the objective
standards of a reasonable person of normal sensitivity.
c) A marijuana odor emission shall bedeemed to interfere with the reasonable and
comfortable use and enjoyment of property if the city managerreceivesthree or more
complaints concerningmarijuana odor emanating from the same source from
individuals representing separate households, rooming units, or places of business
within the city.”3
Anotheroptionis to add a nuisance definition regarding odor to the City’s Municipal Code, butnot
limit it solely to the cultivation of medical marijuana. An example of this can be seen from the City of
Riverside, CA. Riverside includes a provision onodor in the city’s nuisance abatement ordinance, but
it is generallyapplied to all odors. That language includes:
Section 6.15.020: Declaration of nuisances:
It is unlawful and is hereby declared a nuisance for any person owning, leasing,
occupying or having charge or possession of any property and any vehicle thereon, in
the City to maintain the property in such a manner that any of the following conditions
are present:
L) The existence of loud or unusual noises, or foul or noxious odors which offend
2 City of Rancho Cordova, CA Municipal Code: http://www.codepublishing.com/CA/ranchocordova/
3 City of Boulder, CO Municipal Code: https://www.municode.com/library/co/boulder/codes/municipal_code
Item 1Attachment 1
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Medical Marijuana Cultivation and Nuisance Abatement Study Session (Citywide)
Page 4
the peace and quiet of persons of ordinary sensibilities and which interferes with the
comfortableenjoyment of life or property and affect the entireneighborhood of any
considerable number of persons.”4
Enforcement
Adding nuisance definitions and express prohibitions on the creation or maintenance of such
conditionsto the City’s Municipal Code to include issues that can result from medical marijuana
cultivation will increase the City’s ability to take enforcement action on this issue when the activity
generates anadverse impact in a neighborhood. Dependent on the definitions used and thresholds set
for initiation of enforcement action to take place, the City would be able to use a variety of
enforcement tools including issuing an administrative citation, which is subject to the City’s appeal
procedures.
HRC Role
This study session is an opportunity for the HRCto provide input to City Council regarding proposed
municipal code additions to address nuisances related to growing medical marijuana in the City of San
Luis Obispo. The HRC’s role is to consider these policy options in light of public testimony and
provide feedback tostaff.
Focus Questions for Commission Discussion
Staff has provided several questions to facilitate HRC discussion of the issue in order to provide
feedback for Council consideration:
1. Add nuisance definitions and prohibitions to the City’s Municipal Code to address potential
odor issues related to cultivation of medicalmarijuana?
Yes No
2. Add nuisance definitions and prohibitions to the City’s Municipal Code to address other
potential nuisance issues related to cultivation of medical marijuana?
Yes No
3. If “Yes” to question #2, identify other potential issues and describe nuisance factors associated
with them.
4. Should the nuisance definitions and prohibitions added to the Municipal Code relate directly to
the cultivation of medical marijuana?
Yes No
The HRC’s recommendations will guide the development of any Municipal Code changes and be
forwarded to the City Council with the staff report on this item.
I:\Community Development\GHERMANN\Medical Marijuana\Medical Marijuana Nuisance Abatement Ordinance Amendment HRC Reprt.docx
4 City of Riverside, CA Abatement of Public Nuisances Ordinance: http://www.riversideca.gov/municode/pdf/06/6-15.pdf
Item 1Attachment 1
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Attachment 2
ORDINANCE NO._______ (2015 Series)
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO ADDING CHAPTER 8.22 TO THE
SAN LUIS OBISPO MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING OFFENSIVE ODORS
WHEREAS, through its police powers, the City of San Luis Obispo (“City”) is
authorized to enact laws to protect the health, safety and welfare of the community;
WHEREAS, over the years, the City has received various complaints regarding the
presence of offensive odors emanating from private property;
WHEREAS, the most recent complaints received by the City relate to offensive odors
due to the outdoor cultivation of medical marijuana;
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that such odors have the potential to unreasonably
interfere with the use and enjoyment of property within the City and otherwise affect the health,
safety and welfare of the community; and
WHEREAS, by this ordinance, the City Council desires to protect the health, safety and
welfare of the community by prohibiting any person or entity within the city from allowing any
odors which are offensive to people of normal sensitivity to emanate across property lines.
NOW, THERFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo as follows:
SECTION 1: The City Council hereby adopts the foregoing recitals as its findings in support of
the following regulations and further finds that the following regulations are necessary and
appropriate to protect the health, safety and welfare of the residents and businesses of San Luis
Obispo.
SECTION 2: Chapter 8.22, entitled Offensive Odors, is hereby added to Title 8 of the San Luis
Obispo Municipal Code as follows:
Chapter 8.22 OFFENSIVE ODORS
8.22.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to define and establish standards for the regulation of odors within
the city. The intent of these standards is to ensure that odors emanating from sources or locations
within the city do not adversely impact or unreasonably interfere with the use and enjoyment of
property.
8.22.020 Prohibited activities declared a public nuisance.
A. It is hereby declared to be unlawful and a public nuisance to cause or permit any odors,
which are offensive to individuals of normal sensitivity, to emanate across any parcel or property
line.
B. An odor shall be presumed offensive to individuals of normal sensitivity if the city receives
three or more verified complaints of an odor emanating across a property line from individuals
representing separate residences or places of business within the city within a one month time
PH1-9
Attachment 2
span concerning an odor emanating from a single source. Nothing in this section shall be
deemed to require three complaints before the city may initiate enforcement action.
C. Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to prohibit the normal operations of any governmental
agency or municipal facility operating pursuant to otherwise applicable law or regulatory permit.
8.22.030 Continuing violations.
Each day a violation is allowed to continue in violation of this chapter shall constitute a new and
separate offense.
8.22.040 Severability.
If any part or subsection of this chapter is for any reason held to be invalid, unlawful, or
unconstitutional, such invalidity, unlawfulness, or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity,
lawfulness, or constitutionality of any other part of this chapter.
SECTION 3. Environmental Determination. This ordinance is not subject to the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15060(c)(2) – the activity will not
result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment and
Section 15060(c)(3) – the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378 of the CEQA
Guidelines, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment,
directly or indirectly.
SECTION 4. Effective Dates. A summary of this ordinance, together with the names of
Council members voting for and against, shall be published at least five (5) days prior to its
final passage, in The Tribune, a newspaper published and circulated in this City. This ordinance
shall go into effect at the expiration of thirty (30) days after its final passage.
INTRODUCED on the 17th day of March 2015, AND FINALLY ADOPTED by the
Council of the City of San Luis Obispo on the _____ day of March 2015, on the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
____________________________________
Mayor Jan Marx
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Anthony Mejia
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_____________________________________
J. Christine Dietrick
City Attorney
PH1-10
MAMA
THENewspaper of the Central Coast
MBUNE
3825 South Higuera • Post Office Box 112 • San Luis Obispo, California 93406-0112 • (805) 781 -7800
In The Superior Court of The State of California
In and for the County of San Luis Obispo
A ; �O
AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION
SAN LUIS OBISPO CITY COUNCIL
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
AD # 1 6051 83
The San Luis Obispo City Council invites
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
all interested persons to attend public hear.
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
Ings on Tuesday, March 17, 2015, at 6:00
p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber,
990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, Call.
fornia, relative to the following:
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
1. CONSIDERATION _ OF _ _AN_ ORDI-
NANCE TO ADD AN ODOR NUISANpr:
ss.
PROVISION TO THE MUNfCIPAL CODE
County of San Luis Obispo
A public hearing to consider an ordinance
to add an odor nuisance provision to the
I am a citizen of the United States and a resident of the
San Luis Obispo Municipal Code to prohibit
odors from emanating from property which
Count aforesaid; I am over the age of eighteen not
y ' g g een an
are disturbing to people of normal sonsitivl-
interested in the above entitled matter; 1 am now, and at
ty residing or present on adjacent or near -
by properties or areas open to the public.
all times embraced in the publication herein mentioned
p
For more information, you are invited to
contact Greg Hermann of the City's Com-
was, the principal clerk of the printers and publishers of
munily Development Department at (805)
THE TRIBUNE, a newspaper of general Circulation,
781 -7194 or by email at ghermannoslocity
org.
printed and published daily at the City of San Luis
2, C{gNR1DSRATIOHQF ¢.SCO�fIMfZNI-
Obispo in the above named county and state; that notice
TY oE1lEL�MEJN _BLOCK GRANT
at which the annexed clippings is a true Copy, was
CDBG FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS
published in the above -named newspaper and not in any
1+ public hearing to consider the Human Re-
supplement thereof — on the following dates to wit;
lations Commission's recommendation to
adopt a resolution to approve funding rec.
MARCH 6, 2015 that said newspaper was dui and
y
ommendaltons for approximately $466,000
of Community Development Block Grant
regularly ascertained and established a newspaper of
funds for the 2015 program year. For more
general circulation by Decree entered in the Superior
Information, you are invited to contact Tyler
Corey of the City's Community Develop -
Court of San Luis Obispo County, State of California, on
ment Department at (805) 781 -7169 or by
Julie 9, 1952, Case #19139 under the Government Code
email at tcore t�sloci .or .
of the State of California.
The City Council may also discuss alhar
hearings or business items before or after
the items listed above. If you challenge the
I certify (or declare) under the penalty of perjury that the
proposed projects in court, you may be Iim-
tied to ralsing only those issues you or
foregoing is true and correct.
someone else raised at the public hearing
described in this notice, or in written corre-
-_
spondence delivered to the City Council a1,
1 II
or prior to, the public hearings.
(Signat ( of Principal Clerk)
Reports for this meeting will be available
DATED: MARCH 6, 2015
for review in the City Clerk's Office and on-
line at www.slocity.org on Wednesday,
AD COST: $184.80
March 11, 2015. Please call the City
Clerk's Office at (805) 781 -7100 for more
information. The City Council meeting will
be televised live on Charter Cable Channel
20 and live streaming on www.slocity.org.
Anthony J. Mejia
City Clerk
City of San Luis Obispo
Mardi 8, 2015 1605183
Odor Nuisance Ordinance
City Council Meeting – March 17, 2015
Recommendation
Introduce an Ordinance adding Chapter 8.22 of the San Luis
Obispo Municipal Code to regulate offensive odors.
Background
Initial complaints in September 2013
May 6th, 2014 Public Hearing
Comprehensive medical marijuana ordinance
Council Direction
Focus only on enforcement tools to address the effects of
medical marijuana cultivation when they reach the level of
a nuisance
3
Research
4
Policy Options
5
Multiple
Effects
•Rancho
Cordova, CA
Odor
(Specific)
•Boulder, CO
Odor
(General)
•Riverside, CA
Human Relations Commission
Study session
Public feedback
Commission recommendation
Adding an odor nuisance definition to the Municipal Code
Include nuisances that result from any odor
Establish thresholds for taking enforcement action
Include ability for City to take immediate action
6
Proposed Ordinance
A. It is hereby declared to be unlawful and a public
nuisance to cause or permit any odors, which are
offensive to individuals of normal sensitivity, to emanate
across any parcel or property line.
B. An odor shall be presumed offensive to individuals of
normal sensitivity if the City receives three or more
verified complaints of an odor emanating across a
property line from individuals representing separate
residences or places of business within the city within a
one month time span concerning an odor emanating from
a single source, but nothing in this section shall be
deemed to require three complaints before the City may
initiate enforcement action.
7
Proposed Ordinance
C. Nothing in this Chapter shall be deemed to prohibit the
normal operations of any governmental agency or
municipal facility operating pursuant to otherwise
applicable law or regulatory permit.
8
Enforcement
Complaint based
Three or more complaints within a one month period
regarding an odor from a single source
OR
The City must establish the odor is a nuisance
Municipal Code violation
Typically an administrative process
9
Recommendation
Introduce an Ordinance adding Chapter 8.22 of the San Luis
Obispo Municipal Code to regulate offensive odors.
Alternatives
Approve the proposed ordinance and direct staff to facilitate a
study session on the topic of medical marijuana.