To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: LUKE SMUDE, ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER
TITLE
title
PUBLIC HEARING FOR CONSIDERATION OF INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 10, CHAPTER 5 (ZONING ORDINANCE) OF THE REDONDO BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE (RBMC) PERTAINING TO SERVICE STATION REGULATIONS REGARDING GENERAL FOOD SALES
CONSIDERATION OF FINDINGS/EXEMPTIONS UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENT QUALITY ACT (CEQA), INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO FINDINGS THAT SAID ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS AND/OR AMENDMENTS OF EXISTING REGULATIONS ARE NOT SUBJECT TO CEQA PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 15060(C)(2), 15060(C)(3), AND 15061(B)(3) OF THE CEQA GUIDELINES, AND THAT THE CODE AMENDMENTS ARE NOT A “PROJECT” SUBJECT TO SECTION 15378(B)(5)
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Open the public hearing, take testimony from staff and other interested parties, and deliberate;
2. Close the public hearing; and
3. Consider Introducing Ordinance No. 3324-26 and Adopt Resolution 2610-085:
INTRODUCE BY TITLE ONLY ORDINANCE NO. 3324-26 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING AN ORDINANCE AMENDING REDONDO BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 10, CHAPTER 5, SECTION 10-5.1602 PERTAINING TO GENERAL FOOD SALES, INCLUSIVE OF BEER AND WINE, AT SERVICE STATIONS
ADOPT BY TITLE ONLY, RESOLUTION NO. 2610-085, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, FORWARDING TO AND REQUESTING CERTIFICATION BY THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION OF AMENDMENTS TO THE COASTAL LAND USE PLAN IMPLEMENTING ORDINANCE, TITLE 10, CHAPTER 5, SECTION 10-5.1602 PERTAINING TO SERVICE STATIONS AND DETERMINING SUCH AMENDMENTS AS EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT, WHICH IS INTENDED TO BE CARRIED OUT IN A MANNER FULLY IN CONFORMITY WITH THE COASTAL ACT; AND PROVIDING THAT THE AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY’S LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM WILL TAKE EFFECT AUTOMATICALLY UPON COASTAL COMMISSION APPROVAL PURSUANT TO PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE SECTION 30514 AND TITLE 14, SECTION 13551 OF THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATION
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On October 3, 2023, the City Council approved Ordinance No. 3263-23 that amended the Redondo Beach Municipal Code (RBMC) to allow general food sales at service stations in the City’s Inland Zone. Prior to the adoption of the Ordinance, service stations throughout the City were permitted to sell incidental convenience items, but not general food items under Ordinance #1971-2044.
On January 14, 2026 the City Council directed staff to draft an Ordinance to also amend the RBMC with respect to the City’s Coastal Zone. Staff presented a Draft Ordinance to the Planning Commission at a public hearing held on May 21, 2026 for review and input. The Planning Commission voted 5 to 2 to not recommend Council adoption of the proposed Ordinance amending RBMC Section 10-5.1602.
This item/hearing allows the City Council to consider approving the proposed Ordinance for introduction and first reading.
BACKGROUND
Since 1987, state law has prohibited cities from enacting new guidelines that prohibit the concurrent sale of motor vehicle fuel and beer and wine for off-premises consumption in zoning districts where these uses are allowed. The City’s policy prohibiting the concurrent sale of these items was enacted in 1971 (Ordinance #1971-2044) and, as result, is still valid in the City’s Coastal Zone.
On October 3, 2023, the City Council voted to allow the sale of general food items at service stations in the City’s Inland Zone. Research leading up to the Council’s action indicated the City’s prohibition was extremely rare. Nearly all cities surveyed by staff allow for the sale of general food items, including beer and wine, at service stations and regulate the activity through conditional use permits (CUP).
There are currently 10 service stations in the City of Redondo Beach, two of which are in the coastal portion of the City. At this time, service stations in the City’s Coastal Zone are only permitted to sell incidental convenience items for the immediate consumption of the motoring public. This class of goods includes soft drinks, candy, cigarettes, and other small items. In order for the updated retail regulations to apply to all service stations in the City, the City Council, on January 14, 2026, directed staff to draft an Ordinance to also amend the RBMC with respect to the City’s Coastal Zone.
The draft Ordinance includes provisions required by Business and Professions Code (BPC) Section 23790.5, which sets minimum state standards as follows:
• No beer or wine shall be displayed within five feet of the cash register or the front door unless it is in a permanently affixed cooler
• No advertisement of alcoholic beverages shall be displayed at motor fuel islands
• No sale of alcoholic beverages shall be made from a drive-in window
• No display or sale of beer or wine shall be made from an ice tub
• No beer or wine advertising shall be located on motor fuel islands and no self- illuminated advertising for beer or wine shall be located on buildings or windows
• Employees on duty between the hours of 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. who sell beer or wine shall be at least 21 years of age to sell beer and wine
Under California law, the City Council also has the discretion to implement additional regulations beyond what is required by the California BPC. As such, the draft Ordinance contains additional restrictions that could be applied by the City through its Conditional Use Permit (CUP) process including, but not limited to:
• Compliance with all conditions required by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
• Explicit limiting of alcohol sales to beer and wine
• Limiting the percentage of retail space dedicated to alcohol sales
• Requiring that coolers containing beer and wine be locked during hours they are not actively being sold
• Prohibiting single serve/individual containers of alcohol
• Prohibiting advertising of alcohol visible from the location’s exterior
• Ensuring that the proposed hours of operation are complementary, and will not negatively impact, the surrounding business district
• Prohibition on electronic games
Staff presented the proposed Ordinance amending Section 10-5.1602 of the RBMC for the Coastal Zone to the Planning Commission at a public hearing on May 21, 2026. The Planning Commission voted 5-2 to not recommend the adoption of the proposed Ordinance. Planning Commission Resolution No. 2026-05-PCR-06 found the proposed Ordinance is not consistent with the General Plan and cited a December 2022 Los Angeles County Department of Public Health report citing that additional alcohol sales could have an adverse impact on public health.
If adopted, the Ordinance amending RBMC Title 10, Chapter 5, Section 10-5.1602 Service Stations would require second reading and adoption on October 20, 2026 and would then be forwarded to, and require certification from, the California Coastal Commission. It would become effective immediately following Coastal Commission approval. Failure to adopt the Ordinance would result in no change to the City’s current policy regarding the sale of incidental food items at service stations in the Coastal Zone, with general food items still being prohibited. General food sales in the City’s Inland Zone are unaffected by this item.
COORDINATION
This item was coordinated with the Community Development Department, City Manager’s Office, and the Police Department. The City Attorney’s Office reviewed and approved the draft Ordinance.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the preparation of this item and the associated documentation.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
• Ord No. 3324-26 - Amending RBMC Title 10, Chapter 5, Section 10-5.1602 - General Food Sales Service Stations Coastal
• Reso No. 2610-085 - Requesting Certification by the California Coastal Commission for Amendments to the Coastal Land Use Plan Implementing Ordinance Title 10, Chapter 5, Section 10-5.1602 - General Food Sales Service Stations Coastal
• Administrative Report - City Council, January 13, 2026
• Reso - No. 2026-05-PCR-06, Planning Commission, May 21, 2026
• Administrative Report - Planning Commission, May 21, 2026
• Ord - #1971-2044
• California Code Business and Professions Code - BPC § 23790.5
• Public Hearing Notice - October 1, 2026