TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Talyn Mirzakhanian, City Manager
FROM:
Masa Alkire, Community Development Director
Adam Finestone, Planning Manager
Jaehee Yoon, Senior Planner
Johnathon Masi, Associate Planner
SUBJECT:Title
Discussion Regarding Potential Code Amendments to Allow the Use of Outdoor Portable Signs and Benches in the Public Right-of-Way to Promote Business Engagement in the Downtown Area (No Budget Impact) (Community Development Alkire).
(Estimated Time: 30 Mins.)
DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council discuss and provide direction on potential amendments to the Manhattan Beach Municipal Code (MBMC) and Manhattan Beach Local Coastal Program (MBLCP) related to outdoor portable signs and benches in the public right-of-way in Downtown Manhattan Beach.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
The fiscal implications associated with this item are limited to expenditure of staff time in preparing the staff report and drafting the ordinance, which would require coordinating with other City Departments and community stakeholders to incorporate their input.
BACKGROUND:
The MBMC and MBLCP currently prohibit portable signs on public and private property. The MBMC contains regulations on benches in the public right-of-way which primarily pertain to allowing benches at transit stops and have not been updated in 50 years. The MBLCP does not contain any specific regulations regarding the location of benches in the public right-of-way.
Over the past several years, portable signs, benches, and other items in the public right-of-way have proliferated, causing impediments to pedestrian traffic flow and other potentially unsafe conditions. In August 2025, the City's Code Enforcement Division began proactive enforcement efforts to ensure clear and accessible paths of travel on City sidewalks in the Downtown and North Manhattan Beach areas. Noti...
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