§ 74-223. Temporary family health care structures.

(a)

The following definitions apply in this section:

(1)

Activities of daily living shall include bathing, dressing, personal hygiene, ambulation or locomotion, transferring, toileting, and eating.

(2)

Caregiver shall mean an individual 18 years of age or older who (i) provides care for a mentally or physically impaired person and (ii) is a first or second degree relative of the mentally or physically impaired person for whom the individual is caring.

(3)

First or second degree relative shall mean a spouse, lineal ascendant, lineal descendant, sibling, uncle, aunt, nephew, or niece and includes half, step, and in-law relationships.

(4)

Mentally or physically impaired person shall mean a person who is a resident of this State and who requires assistance with two or more activities of daily living as certified in writing by a physician licensed to practice in this state.

(5)

Temporary family health care structure shall mean a transportable residential structure, providing an environment facilitating a caregiver's provision of care for a mentally or physically impaired person, that (i) is primarily assembled at a location other than its site of installation, (ii) is limited to one occupant who shall be the mentally or physically impaired person, (iii) has no more than 300 gross square feet, and (iv) complies with applicable provisions of the State Building Code and G.S. 143-139.1(b).

(b)

Placing the temporary family health care structure on a permanent foundation shall be prohibited.

(c)

A temporary family health care structure used by a caregiver in providing care for a mentally or physically impaired person on property owned or occupied by the caregiver as the caregiver's residence is a permitted accessory use in any single-family residential zoning district on lots zoned for single-family detached dwellings.

(d)

A permitted temporary family health care structure used by an individual who is the named legal guardian of the mentally or physically impaired person shall be placed on the property of the residence of the individual and is used to provide care for the mentally or physically impaired person.

(e)

Only one temporary family health care structure shall be allowed on a lot or parcel of land. Such temporary family health care structures shall comply with all setback requirements that apply to the primary structure and the impervious surface limits that apply to the lot. These structures are subject to the town's stormwater capture requirements. Applications shall be processed through the major landscape permit process.

(f)

Any person proposing to install a temporary family health care structure shall first obtain a permit from the city.

(g)

The applicant must provide evidence of compliance with this section on an annual basis as long as the temporary family health care structure remains on the property. The evidence may involve the inspection by the city of the temporary family health care structure at reasonable times convenient to the caregiver, not limited to any annual compliance confirmation, and annual renewal of the doctor's certification.

(h)

Notwithstanding subsection (i) of this section, any temporary family health care structure installed under this section may be required to connect to any water, sewer, and electric utilities serving the property and shall comply with all applicable state law, local ordinances, and other requirements as if the temporary family health care structure were permanent real property.

(i)

Any temporary family health care structure installed pursuant to this section shall be removed within 60 days in which the mentally or physically impaired person is no longer receiving or is no longer in need of the assistance provided for in this section. If the temporary family health care structure is needed for another mentally or physically impaired person, the temporary family health care structure may continue to be used, or may be reinstated on the property within 60 days of its removal, as applicable.

(j)

The city may revoke the permit granted pursuant to subsection (e) of this section if the permit holder violates any provision of this section or G.S. 160A-202. The city may seek injunctive relief or other appropriate actions or proceedings to ensure compliance with this section or G.S. 160A-202.

(k)

Temporary family health care structures shall be treated as tangible personal property for purposes of taxation.

(Ord. No. 2016-16, Art. III.c., a., 12-7-2016)

Editor's note

Ord. No. 2016-16, Art. III.c., a., adopted December 7, 2016, set out provisions intended for use as § 74-219. To prevent duplication of section numbers, and at the editor's discretion, these provisions have been included as § 74-223.