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HomeWelfare and Institutions CodeDiv. 5Pt. 1Ch. 1§ 5120 Mental Health Zoning Equality

§ 5120 Mental Health Zoning Equality

Welfare and Institutions Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 5120 Mental Health Zoning Equality

Key Takeaways

  • •Cities and counties can't treat mental health care places differently from regular hospitals or nursing homes when making zoning rules.
  • •Mental health care places, like hospitals for psychiatric care, can be built in areas where regular hospitals or nursing homes are allowed.
  • •This rule is to make sure mental health care is available in local communities, just like other medical care.

Example

A town wants to build a new hospital for people with mental health issues.

The town can't say no just because it's for mental health. If they allow regular hospitals in that area, they must allow mental health hospitals too.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 5120 Mental Health Zoning Equality

It is the policy of this state as declared and established in this act and in the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act that the care and treatment of individuals with a mental health condition be provided in the local community. In order to achieve uniform statewide implementation of the policies of this act, it is necessary to establish the statewide policy that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, no city or county shall discriminate in the enactment, enforcement, or administration of any zoning laws, ordinances, or rules and regulations between the use of property for the treatment of general hospital or nursing home patients and the use of property for the psychiatric care and treatment of patients, both inpatient and outpatient. Health facilities for inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care and treatment shall be permitted in any area zoned for hospitals or nursing homes, or in which hospitals and nursing homes are permitted by conditional use permit. (Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 948, Sec. 11. (AB 2119) Effective January 1, 2025.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

treatmentenforcementhospitalpropertypatienthealthnursingregulation

Related Statutes

  • § 6000 State Hospital Admission Rules
  • § 1724 Juvenile Justice Board Qualifications
  • § 4025 Patient Care Cost Limits
  • § 4027 Mentally Ill Offender Rights
  • § 4143 Enhanced Treatment Program Pilots

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Welfare and Institutions Code. Section 5120.
View Official Source