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1. What is the latest city action?

On June 5, 2018, the City Council approved an ordinance to amend the Laguna Niguel Municipal Code and the Laguna Niguel Gateway Specific Plan to clarify and establish regulations for congregate living facilities in all zoning districts. State-licensed residential care facilities are exempt from local zoning regulations and would therefore not be affected. View a Summary of Ordinance 2018-194 (PDF).

Pursuant to Ordinance Number 2018-194 (PDF), existing unlicensed group home facilities are hereby required to make an application to the City of Laguna Niguel Community Development Department for a Group Home Permit by October 4, 2018, and achieve full compliance with permit regulations by January 1, 2019. Failure to comply with the deadlines stated above shall result in City initiation of code enforcement action against both non-compliant property owners and facility operators.

Any permitted group home facilities found not to meet the required 1,000-foot separation distance requirement from other group home facilities and state-licensed residential care facilities shall be deemed "legal nonconforming." This designation means that the facility will be allowed to continue operating given compliance with all other permit regulations. However, upon discontinuance of facility operation for a period of one year, any future request to operate a group home facility at the property will be regulated as a new facility, subject to the separation requirement. View the Group Home Permit Application (PDF).

2. What can the city enforce?

The City can, and does, enforce applicable provisions of the Municipal, Zoning and Building Codes, and State Penal Code statutes regarding disorderly conduct, excessive and late-night noise, littering, and other actions that are disruptive and negatively affect a neighborhood. Historically, the City has been successful in addressing these issues by:

• Meeting with the owners/operators of the homes to discuss the concerns.
• Requesting the owners/operators to take measures to eliminate the issues.
• Enforcing the City Codes and State Penal Code.

This approach has resulted in a resolution of the problems caused by residents of the homes with the residents being more sensitive to the living conditions of the surrounding neighborhood.

City staff continues to monitor sober living homes in Laguna Niguel and responds to calls for service. The City also continues to monitor the enactment of ordinances and resulting litigation in Orange County cities as well as State legislation that pertains to the authority of the City to regulate such facilities.

Contact Information

For concerns regarding any alleged criminal activity or emergencies, call 911. For non-emergency activities and nuisances, such as night-time noise complaints and illegal street parking, please call Orange County Sheriff Dispatch at 949-770-6011. General questions or concerns regarding sober living homes and/or concerns regarding alleged property maintenance, zoning or building code violations, may be directed to the City's Code Enforcement office at 949-362-4300. Residents may also submit inquiries to the City online via the city's eTrakit system.