The Marin County Board of Supervisors on March 11 declared a shelter crisis for unincorporated Marin County and adopted an urgency ordinance that temporarily amends the county building code to allow emergency housing standards during the declared crisis.

County staff said the action gives the county, nonprofits and private property owners a limited set of regulatory flexibilities under state law to stand up interim shelters — such as RV or cabin-style accommodations, mobile homes or similar temporary units — for people the county defines as homeless. "This is a targeted solution to our shelter crisis, and it is meant to serve people who are unsheltered or undersheltered as an interim measure to protect their health and safety," Community Development Agency planner Sarah Jones told the board.

The action follows staff presentations from Health and Human Services and Community Development Agency staff that framed the step as an enabling measure, not a funding decision. "The shelter crisis designation is an enabling policy," Health and Human Services director Lisa Varhoo said, adding that no county-owned sites or specific projects were approved at the meeting. Gary Najaris, director of Homelessness and Coordinated Care, said the county’s 2022 point-in-time count identified 1,090 people experiencing homelessness in Marin County and that the new tools expand options for temporary shelters.

Why it matters: Supporters said the declaration and code changes are needed to protect residents who are living in substandard or at-risk housing in West Marin and other unincorporated areas, and to create interim placements while permanent housing is developed. More than two dozen West Marin residents, community groups and health providers urged the board to act quickly, citing the imminent displacement of ranch employees and long-standing unsafe housing in the Point Reyes area.

What the ordinances do: The urgency ordinance adopts appendices from the California Residential and Building Codes that specify health and safety standards for temporary emergency housing types not on permanent foundations. It also enables, on county-owned or leased land, limited exceptions to local planning and zoning when necessary to site temporary emergency shelters. Staff said annual reporting to the state on any use of these authorities is required and that the declaration would be in effect for three years unless the board extends it.

Board and next steps: Supervisors voted to adopt the declaration and the urgency ordinance by the required four-fifths vote. Board members and staff said the measure is only a first step. Staff outlined planned follow-up work including administrative procedures (for example, septic pump-and-haul permitting), outreach to West Marin communities, and a package of additional tools to be returned to the board. Sarah Jones said the county will map a broader “toolbox” including code-enforcement amnesty options and permitting streamlining to encourage transition from temporary to permanent housing.

Community reaction and context: Health care providers, community land trusts and local foundations urged speedy implementation and close coordination with nonprofit partners. Several speakers who identified as residents of Point Reyes and other West Marin communities described living conditions they said threatened health and safety and asked for temporary housing solutions that allow people to remain in their communities while permanent housing is pursued.

Limitations: Staff emphasized that the declaration itself does not appropriate funding or identify sites; separate approvals will be needed for county-owned sites and any discretionary permits. The urgency ordinance applies only to unincorporated Marin County; incorporated cities are not covered by this action.

The board directed staff to return with implementation steps, to pursue community engagement in West Marin and to report back through the required state reporting process and to the board as projects are developed.