HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD-26-1495 Amending HBMC Chapters 2.20 2.28 and 12.30 Page 1 of 2 ORD-26-1495
CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH
ORDINANCE NO. ORD-26-1495
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTERS 2.20, 2.28, AND 12.30 OF THE HERMOSA
BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE TO UPDATE THE TITLE OF THE COMMUNITY
RESOURCES DEPARTMENT AND DETERMINING THE ORDINANCE IS NOT A
PROJECT UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (“CEQA”)
WHEREAS, the City of Hermosa Beach (“City”) City Council is empowered to
establish rules for governance and create advisory boards and commissions pursuant to
California Government Code Sections 36501, 36505, and 36506; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has created various City commissions and review
boards (“Commissions”) under its general police powers and state statutory authority to
assist with the administration of City business; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to update the titles of the “Community Resources
Department,” the “Community Resources Director,” and the “Parks, Recreation, and
Community Resources Advisory Commission” to accurately reflect their purpose and
responsibilities and to ensure that the titles are consistent across the City; and
WHEREAS, the City Council held a first reading and public hearing of this
Ordinance at a regular meeting on January 13, 2026 and received written and oral
testimony regarding the proposed code amendments.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS
FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Recitals. The recitals above are true and correct, and are hereby
incorporated herein by this reference.
SECTION 2. Amendment. The City Council hereby amends certain Chapters to Title
2 (Administration and Personnel) and Title 12 (Street, Sidewalks, and Public Places) of the
Municipal Code as follows:
a. Chapter 2.20 (Community Resources Department) of Title 2 of the Hermosa
Beach Municipal Code is hereby amended as set forth in Section 1 of Exhibit A,
attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
b. Chapter 2.28 (Parks, Recreation, and Community Resources Advisory
Commission) of Title 2 of the Hermosa Beach Municipal Code are hereby
amended as set forth in Section 2 of Exhibit A, attached hereto and
incorporated herein by reference.
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c. Chapter 12.30 (Special Events on Public Property) of Title 12 of the Hermosa
Beach Municipal Code is hereby amended as provided for Section 3 of Exhibit A,
attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION 3. Environmental Review. This Ordinance is not a project under the
California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378 (b)(5)
as it is an organization or administrative activity of the City that will not result in direct or
indirect physical changes in the environment.
SECTION 4. Severability. If any provision of this ordinance or its application to any
person or circumstance is held to be invalid, such invalidity has no effect on the other
provisions or applications of the ordinance that can be given effect without the invalid
provision or application, and to this extent, the provisions of this ordinance are severable.
The City Council declares that it would have adopted this ordinance irrespective of the
invalidity of any portion thereof.
SECTION 5. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after its
passage and adoption pursuant to California Government Code section 36937.
SECTION 6. Certification. The City Clerk is directed to certify the passage and
adoption of this Ordinance; cause it to be entered into the City’s book of original
ordinances; make a note of the passage and adoption in the records of this meeting;
and, within fifteen (15) days after the passage and adoption of this Ordinance, cause it
to be published or posted in accordance with California law.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED on this 27th day of January 2026.
AYES: MAYOR SAEMANN, MAYOR PRO TEM DETOY, and COUNCILMEMBERS
JACKSON, KEEGAN, AND FRANCOIS
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
Mayor Rob Saemann
PRESIDENT of the City Council and MAYOR of the City of Hermosa Beach, CA
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
________________________________ ________________________________
Reanna Guzman Jason Baltimore
Interim City Clerk Interim City Attorney
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EXHIBIT A
1. Chapter 2.20 (Community Resources Department ) of Title 2 (Administration and
Personnel) of the Hermosa Beach Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows,
in its entirety, with deletions shown in strikethrough and additions shown in bold italics:
Chapter 2.20 Community Resources Parks and Recreation Department
2.20.010 Community resources Parks and recreation department.
The functions of the community resources parks and recreation department are to
provide opportunities for educational, recreational, cultural and social service
activities for all age groups and to develop and maintain in an attractive and safe
manner the leisure areas and facilities of the city and to ensure that s uch facilities are
suitable for a wide variety of purposes. (Prior code § 2-70)
2.20.020 Community resources Parks and recreation director–appointment.
The director of community resources parks and recreation shall be appointed and
shall administer, subject to authority of the city manager, the educational,
recreational, cultural and social service programs of the city. (Prior code § 2-71)
2.20.030 Director–duties and responsibilities.
The duties and responsibilities of the community resources parks and recreation
director shall be to:
A. Recommend to the city manager the employment of required personnel such as
assistants, supervisors, leaders, clerical and maintenance employees, and
supervise them in the performance of their various duties;
B. Administer, operate and maintain existing park and recreation areas and leisure
facilities and plan for the acquisition, development and operation of the
proposed facilities in accordance with recommended policies by the community
resources parks and recreation advisory commission and approved by the city
council;
C. Inform the general public of the services and facilities being provided by the
community resources parks and recreation department;
D. Solicit suggestions from the general public to improve or increase the
effectiveness of the service;
E. Cooperate with governmental and voluntary organizations and agencies in the
furtherance of park and recreation opportunities;
F. Prepare manuals, bulletins and reviews on department activities;
G. Provide, upon request, assistance of a technical nature to community agencies
and organizations having problems relating to recreational social service facilities
and programs;
H. Counsel with official of public and private organizations and interested groups
concerning community recreation and leisure activities and assist them in the
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promotion of park and recreational services; and shall serve as liaison to the
commission;
I. Conduct studies of local conditions and needs for park and recreation services,
cultural arts programs, social service programs, and assist with recruitment and
training of said personnel;
J. Enforce all rules and regulations, resolutions and ordinances of the city pertaining
to public behavior in all city -owned leisure oriented facilities and park areas. (Prior
code § 2-72)
2. Chapter 2.28 (Parks, Recreation, and Community Resources Advisory Commission) of Title
2 (Administration and Personnel) of the Hermosa Beach Municipal Code is hereby
amended to read as follows, in its entirety , with deletions shown in strikethrough and
additions shown in bold italics:
Chapter 2.28 Parks, and Recreation and Community Resources Advisory
Commission
2.28.010 Parks, and recreation, and community resources advisory
commission created–composition–Appointment of members.
Pursuant to authority granted to the city council there is hereby created and
established a parks, and recreation, and community resources advisory
commission composed of five members who are bona fide residents of the
city and appointed by the city council.
2.28.20 Terms of members–vacancies.
The members of the parks, and recreation, and community resources
advisory commission shall be appointed for a term of four years.
If a vacancy shall occur otherwise than by expiration of term, it shall be filled
by appointments by the city council for the unexpired portion of the term.
Appointments shall be made pursuant to Government Code Section
54970 et seq. Members serve at the pleasure of the city council and may be
removed, without cause, by a majority vote of the city council.
Upon an expiration of term, vacancy or resignation, said member of the
commission may continue to serve until a successor is appointed and
qualified. Where the city council votes to remove a member of the
commission, the city council shall determine the effective date of said
removal.
In the event of a vacancy, whether scheduled or unscheduled, the City
Clerk shall submit an item for said vacancy on the next City Council agenda.
Two absences from regularly scheduled meetings of any member within one
calendar quarter, and/or four absences from regular meetings within one
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calendar year creates an automatic vacancy. There shall be no distinction
between excused or unexcused absences. When an automatic vacancy
occurs, the staff liaison shall promptly notify the city council, the commission,
and the member. The automatic vacancy shall not be effective until council
receives notice and fails to waive application of this section. The city council
may waive application of the automatic vacancy upon its own motion;
otherwise, the vacancy so created shall be filled pursuant to the above
sections.
2.28.21 Terms of office.
The terms of office for members of the Parks , and Recreation, and
Community Resources Advisory Commission shall be staggered for a period
of four years from July 1st through June 30th.
2.28.22 Meetings.
The commission shall take formal action at their last meeting of the calendar
year to set the meeting schedule for the following calendar year. The
approved meeting schedule shall be available on the commission
webpage.
2.28.040 Chairperson.
The parks, and recreation, and community resources advisory commission
shall elect by majority vote one of its members to serve as chairperson for a
period of one year. The chairperson may be re -elected to serve an
additional term, or additional terms, upon a majority vote of approval. The
chairperson shall continue to serve until a successor is duly elected and
qualified. The duties of the chairperson shall be such as are usually carried
by this type of officer on other boards and commissions as created in the
city.
2.28.050 Meetings–quorum–absences–rules of procedure.
The parks, and recreation, and community resources advisory commission
shall adopt rules and regulations to govern procedures and shall by a vote
set a time for regular meetings which shall be held at least once a month.
Special meetings may be held providing notice is given according to
provisions contained in the Government Code of the state. A majority of the
regular members shall constitute a quorum. All meetings shall be held in the
community center or other designated city-owned facilities. All meetings of
the commission and all hearings required to be held by the commission shall
be public.
2.28.070 Duties and responsibilities.
The duties and responsibilities of the commission shall include the following
and such others as the city council may from time to time prescribe:
A. Act in an advisory capacity to the city council in all matters pertaining to
the department of community resources parks and recreation; and
cooperate with other government agencies and civic groups in the
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advancement of sound leisure, cultural, social service and educational
programming;
B. Formulate policies on the services, programs and lease agreements of the
department subject to the approval of the city council;
C. Advise city council on all aspects of the various operations within the
department;
D. Make periodic inventories of programs, services and facilities including park
areas, and interpret the needs of the public to the city council;
E. Work with department staff in the preparation of the annual budget and
capital improvement program including parkland development;
F. Aid in establishing and recruiting community support groups for the
department’s activities, programs and services;
G. Aid in promoting and communicating the functions, programs and services
of the department to the public;
H. Aid in the formulation, promotion and development of fund raising
programs for the department;
I. Aid in the formulation, development and review of grant applications
related to the department.
3. Chapter 12.30 (Special Events on Public Property) of Title 12 (Street, Sidewalks, and Public
Places) of the Hermosa Beach Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows, in
its entirety, with deletions shown in strikethrough and additions shown in bold italics:
Chapter 12.30 Special Events on Public Property
12.30.010 Special event regulations generally.
A. For purposes of this section, a "special event" shall mean any organized event,
activity, celebration or function involving the use of the beach at which one
hundred (100) or more persons are to be assembled, or use of outdoor city
facilities, rights-of-way, or parkland at which twenty-five (25) or more persons are
to be assembled.
B. No person shall organize or conduct a special event without first obtaining a
permit to do so as prescribed by this section. In addition to the permit
requirements prescribed by this section, certain special events occurring or
planned to occur on summer days within the coastal zone may be required to
obtain a coastal development permit.
C. On at least one (1) weekend during each summer season, the parks , and
recreation and community resources advisory commission shall recommend that
no organized events be held on the beach.
D. To balance coastal access with beach events, the city council shall establish
peak season event limits for the beach/Pier Plaza up to a maximum number of
days used by events between the Saturday preceding Memorial Day through
Labor Day. (Ord. 16-1370 §6 (part), 2016)
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12.30.020 Special event application required.
A. Application for a special event permit shall be made on forms provided for that
purpose by the community resources parks and recreation department, and shall
contain the following information:
1. Name, address, telephone number and other identification information about
the person or organization responsible for organizing the event, including its
commercial/nonprofit status.
2. The proposed dates and hours of operation of the event, including the period
required for setup and breakdown/cleanup.
3. An evaluation of the event impact on city facilities, coastal access, and city
staff resources.
4. The estimated daily and total attendance at the event (including organizers,
participants, spectators, volunteers and others), with an explanation as to the
factual basis for the estimate.
5. A description of all organized activities proposed to take place during the
event, and whether admission is to be charged.
6. A description or diagram showing the proposed location of the event,
including all temporary facilities/structures/signage/equipment to be erected,
ingress and egress, number and type of vehicles and whether existing
structures/facilities are to be relocated or modified.
7. A parking plan showing the number of public parking spaces to be occupied
by the event organizers, the location of satellite parking lots to be used for
attendee parking, arrangements for shuttle bus transportation, and plans for
publicizing the availability of off-site public parking.
8. An environmental protection plan showing proposed compliance with
specified measures to reduce impacts and costs to the environment, the city,
and the community. Such measures may include, but shall not be limited to:
a. Waste recycling and reduction.
b. Energy efficiency.
c. Protection of the marine environment.
d. Community education opportunities.
e. Monitoring and reporting compliance with the environmental
protection plan.
9. Such other information determined by the community resources manager
parks and recreation director to be necessary to evaluate the proposed event.
10. An application fee in any amount determined by resolution of the city council.
11. A dated signature of the organizer or its authorized agent attesting to the truth,
completeness and accuracy of the contents of the application. (Ord. 16 -1370
§6 (part), 2016)
12.30.030 Special event approval and permit issuance.
A. Special events are categorized as Impact Level I, II, or III event based on the
number of participants, years of reoccurrence, location, time of the year, day(s)
of the week, number of consecutive days, and any additional requests. The
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event levels may be further defined in a special events policy guide adopted by
the city council.
B. Special events applications must be submitted as follows:
1. New events: If the new event is an Impact Level I or II, must be submitted at
least ninety (90) days in advance of the event. If the new event is an Impact
Level III, must be submitted no later than July 30 for the following calendar
year.
2. Returning Level III events: must be submitted no later than July 30th for the
following calendar year.
3. Returning Level II events: must be submitted at least ninety (90) days prior to
the event.
4. Returning Level I events: must be submitted at least thirty (30) days prior to
the event.
C. The parks, and recreation, and community resources advisory commission and
city council will evaluate and recommend approval of Impact Level III events
and a "Nothing Weekend" first, and then recommend Impact Level II events
within the targets established in peak season event limits.
D. At the discretion of the community resources manager parks and recreation
director, applications may be submitted and approved after the application
submittal deadline has passed, provided:
1. There are unforeseeable circumstances (memorial service, team victory
celebration, need for minimal marketing/advertising).
2. The event does not exceed peak season or off season event limits.
3. The event can still meet all of the event approval findings (as noted in
subsection (F) of this section).
E. Special events will be reviewed as follows:
1. Any new event to Hermosa Beach will be subject to a public hearing before
both the parks, and recreation, and community resources advisory
commission and the city council.
2. Returning Level III events: will be subject to approval by both the parks, and
recreation, and community resources advisory commission and the city
council.
3. Returning Level II events: will be subject to approval by the parks, and
recreation, and community resources advisory commission and subject to
appeal to the city council.
4. Returning Level I events: will be reviewed and approved by the community
resources manager parks and recreation director and subject to appeal to
the parks, and recreation, and community resources advisory commission.
F. The community resources manager parks and recreation director may issue a
special events permit upon finding that:
1. The special event is considered by the appropriate level of review identified
in subsection (E) of this section.
2. The applicant reimburses the city for all costs incurred by the city in
connection with the event, including public safety, traffic control and
monitoring.
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3. The number of estimated attendees can be accommodated at the
proposed location and surrounding area.
4. The applicant is capable and qualified to manage the event in a
competent, professional manner in accordance with all conditions of
approval.
5. Adequate provision has been made for satellite parking, shuttle
transportation and traffic control.
6. Adequate provision has been made for security, crowd control, ingress and
egress, and cleanup.
7. The total number of days required for the event shall not exceed sixteen (16)
days.
8. The applicant provides required insurance, deposits, bonding and
indemnification of the city.
G. The community resources manager parks and recreation director may impose
such conditions and operational rules and regulations on the special event
permit as are necessary to minimize its impact on the community and to assure
that it will not be a detriment to public health and safety. Such conditions
include, but are not limited to:
1. Monetary deposits, bonds and other security as may be necessary to
guarantee performance of all required conditions, cleanup and repair of
any city property or facilities damaged as a result of the event.
2. Procurement of liability and other insurance policies to protect the applicant
and attendees, naming the city and its officials and employees as additional
insureds.
3. Limitations on the hours of operation and volume of public address systems
and/or amplified music.
H. Any person may appeal a decision in regards to a special event permit
application by filing an appeal in writing to the city clerk within ten (10) days of
the decision. The appeal shall set forth the grounds upon which the appellant
believes the decision is in error or contrary to applicable law. The appellate body
shall consider and take action on the appeal at its next regular meeting following
receipt of the appeal; provided, that it may continue its deliberations to a date
certain with the consent of th e applicant. The decision of the appellate
body shall be final. (Ord. 16-1370 §6 (part), 2016)
(Ord. # 22-1452 §2, adopted 10/25/2022, effective 11/24/2022)
12.30.040 Commercial Groups–Permit required.
Permits shall be required for any commercial group requesting use of any outdoor
area or public facility within the city. Any firm, association, partnership, business trust,
corporation or company that is hosting a special event for the purposes of adverti sing
or generating revenue for profit shall be considered a commercial group. Such
permits shall be subject to a fee established by the city council, plus all costs incurred
by the city on behalf of the event. (Ord. 16-1370 §6 (part), 2016)
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12.30.050 Nonprofit organizations–Permit required.
Permits shall be required for any nonprofit group requesting use of any outdoor area
or public facility within the city. Nonprofit groups may file a non -profit fee waiver or
reduction request with the community resources manager parks and recreation
director subject to approval by the city council. Such permits shall be subject to the
applicable full, reduced or waived fee, plus all costs incurred by the city on behalf of
the event. (Ord. 16-1370 §6 (part), 2016)
12.30.060 Pass-throughs–Permit required.
Permits shall be required for any group requesting use of any outdoor area or facility
for a pass-through event within the city. A pass-through event is one in which neither
the start nor finish occur within the city, but the event requests to utilizes cit y right-of-
way to pass through the city. Such events shall be subject to a permit processing fee
established by resolution of the city council, plus all costs incurred by the city on behalf
of the event. (Ord. 16-1370 §6 (part), 2016)
12.30.070 Block party permits.
Requests for permits for use of public rights -of-way for block parties may be made only
by Hermosa Beach residents to the chief of police. All permit requests shall be subject
to review and approval by the chief of police or his/her designee. Such permits are
subject to a permit processing fee established by resolution of the city council. (Ord.
16-1370 §6 (part), 2016)
12.30.080 Commercial filming permits.
As determined by the California Legislature in California Government Code Section
14998.1, motion picture production is an important industry to the economy of
California and local governments in this state should accordingly provide an
environment conducive to the undertakings of the motion picture industry. To that
end, the city expresses its desire and intention to create and maintain an environment
in the city conducive to motion picture production activities in all areas of the city.
In accordance with this purpose, film permits for nonpermanent filming activities may
be issued for filming on or in any private or city-owned property in any area of the city,
irrespective of zoning in the area in which the permit is issued; provided, tha t such
transient activity to which the permit applies will not be unduly disruptive of
neighboring land uses. The community resources parks and recreation department is
vested with the authority to approve or deny film permits for nonpermanent filming
activities in any area of the city and in making such determination to approve or deny
a film permit application, to exercise its discretion to determine: (A) whether a
particular filming activity is permanent or nonpermanent; (B) whether a particular
filming activity would unduly interfere with or disrupt neighboring land uses so as to
justify denial of the permit; and (C) mitigation measures to reduce any adverse impact
on neighboring land uses. Conditions imposed under any permit shall reduce, to the
extent the community resources parks and recreation department determines
appropriate in light of both the neighbors’ and permittees’ concerns, any adverse
impact on neighboring land uses.
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A "nonpermanent" filming activity, for purposes of this section, is an activity under an
approved permit which involves no more than fifteen (15) days of consecutive filming
at a single location.
The city council may adopt or amend from time to time the filming policy and
procedures, which shall be consistent with this section and shall act as guidelines to
the community resources parks and recreation department in issuing or denying
permits including appeal rights thereto, and which shall be incorporated by reference
into any film permit which the community resources parks and recreation department
may issue. All film permits shall be subject to imposition of fees which shall be set forth
in the filming policy and procedures. (Ord. 16-1370 §6 (part), 2016)
12.30.020 Costs for repairs.
The cost for repairs for any damage incurred as the result of activities related to a
special event will be deducted from the event deposit or shall be required to pay the
cost of the repair if more than the deposit. (Ord. 16-1370 §6 (part), 2016)
12.30.020 Tents.
Tents and other temporary structures or equipment erected in conjunction with a
permitted special event may remain overnight; provided, that a security guard is
present at all times. (Ord. 16-1370 §6 (part), 2016)
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Introduced 08/26/25
Adopted: 09/09/2025
State of California )
County of Los Angeles )ss
City of Hermosa Beach )
Februrary 11, 2026
Certification of Council Action
ORDINANCE NO. ORD-26-1495
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HERMOSA
BEACH, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTERS 2.20, 2.28, AND 12.30 OF
THE HERMOSA BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE TO UPDATE THE TITLE OF THE
COMMUNITY RESOURCES DEPARTMENT AND DETERMINING THE
ORDINANCE IS NOT A PROJECT UNDER THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (“CEQA”)
I, Reanna Guzman, Interim City Clerk of the City of Hermosa Beach,
California, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing Ordinance No. ORD-
26-1495 was duly approved and adopted by the City Council of said City at its
regular meeting thereof held on the 27th day of January 2026, and passed by the
following vote:
AYES: MAYOR SAEMANN, MAYOR PRO TEM DETOY, COUNCILMEMBERS
JACKSON, KEEGAN, AND FRANCOIS
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
_____________________________
Reanna Guzman
Interim City Clerk
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