Supervisor Donald P. Wagner Demands County Ordinance on Sober Living Homes

SANTA ANA, Calif. (June 4, 2019) – At the Board of Supervisors meeting on June 4, Supervisor Donald P. Wagner instructed staff to bring forward a new County ordinance because of the creeping encroachment of sober living homes into residential neighborhoods. Community members are rightly concerned that these homes change the neighborhood’s character and fail to maintain neighborhood standards of safety.

“At North Tustin’s Town Hall meeting last week,” said Supervisor Wagner, “I invited the Sheriff’s Department, HCA, and the County’s legal staff to hear from Third District residents about their concerns. Our detailed discussion included how the County can step in and where the state has failed to provide us with an increased level of protection.”

The current court decisions support expanded sober living homes and the state legislator is unwilling to pass adequate protective laws. This has severely constrained local government and the County’s ability to protect residents.

“With the new ordinance, the County will have a few more tools to increase public safety. It is too bad that state law hamstrings the County in such a way. After the passage of this ordinance, the County will have done everything within its power to protect our local communities,” said Supervisor Wagner.

It is expected that the ordinance will be modeled after a similar one enacted in Costa Mesa with a final vote expected before the end of summer.

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