Council Considers New Rules for Adult Family Homes; Proposal Would Require Certificates, Create Review Process
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Summary
Council reviewed two related ordinances that would require adult family homes to obtain certificates of occupancy, add spacing rules and create a complaint-driven review process. Supporters said the change would give neighborhoods more oversight; some council members asked for more time to consult stakeholders.
Two related ordinance drafts (0018-25 and 0019-25) presented Oct. 30 would change how the City of Racine regulates adult family homes and community living arrangements. City staff said the proposals respond to neighborhood concerns about unlicensed or poorly managed homes and provide an administrative process to evaluate public-health, safety and welfare impacts.
The first ordinance would make an adult family home a change of use requiring a certificate of occupancy and, in many cases, a conditional-use process; it also would set a 2,500-foot spacing standard between such homes but include an exemption where all residents are individuals protected by federal disability law (a legal accommodation intended to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Fair Housing Act).
The second ordinance would create a complaint-driven review process that begins with Planning, Heritage and Design Commission review and could escalate to a full Common Council hearing if remediation or reasonable accommodations are not possible. City attorneys said state law requires a Common Council hearing before a city can order cessation of a licensed adult home—s operation in certain circumstances.
Why it matters: Adult family homes serve people who require care in private-residence settings. The ordinances attempt to preserve neighborhood character while complying with federal protections for people with disabilities. Opponents caution that regulation must avoid discriminatory effects or unintended conflicts with state licensing.
Questions and next steps: Council members asked how many adult family homes already operate in the city and how the city—s enforcement resources would handle inspections and retrofits. City staff said the state maintains a mailing-list–style registry and that roughly 200 mailing addresses appear related to adult residential settings in the county; staff pledged to reconcile those lists and return with more detail. Several aldermen requested additional committee-level vetting and public notice before adopting the rules, rather than resolving the matter within the budget vote.
Sources: Oct. 30 council presentation; city attorney and city development staff comments on draft ordinances.