To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: JOY A. FORD, CITY ATTORNEY
STEPHANIE JOHNSON, QUALITY OF LIFE PROSECUTOR
COLE WEBB, LEGAL INTERN
TITLE
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INTRODUCE BY TITLE ONLY ORDINANCE NO. 3317-26 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ADDING TITLE 4, CHAPTER 38, OF THE REDONDO BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO HEDGES. FOR INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING
INTRODUCE BY TITLE ONLY ORDINANCE NO. 3318-26 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE 1, CHAPTER 2, SECTION 1-2.01 OF THE REDONDO BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO GENERAL PENALTIES: CONTINUING VIOLATIONS. FOR INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING
INTRODUCE BY TITLE ONLY ORDINANCE NO. 3319-26 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE 1, CHAPTER 2, SECTION 1-2.03 OF THE REDONDO BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO INFRACTIONS. FOR INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On July 21, 2026, City Council held a discussion regarding the City’s hedge ordinance. After that discussion, City Council directed City staff to pursue a revised hedge ordinance following the recommendations of Councilmembers Behrendt and Obagi. On July 22, 2026, Councilmember Behrendt submitted a proposed revised ordinance for consideration. It was distributed to City Departments for review and input.
On September 1, 2026, City staff presented the revised ordinance to City Council for further discussion. The current proposed ordinance incorporates a new definition for “height” along with staff feedback and the revisions requested by Council. Staff recommends that the Mayor and City Council approve the proposed ordinances.
BACKGROUND
On September 1, 2026, City staff recommended:
1. Adding definitions for height and hedge to the revised ordinance and related sections;
2. Updating the penalty section to classify violations related to hedges as either a misdemeanor or infraction;
3. Adding a definition of “bona fide complainant” and Good Faith requirements;
4. Allowing the city to enforce critical and/or urgent violations;
5. Including a city-wide maintenance requirement; and
6. Adding to the purpose section of the ordinance to capture intentions.
Upon further review, it was determined that this amendment focused on the enforcement of hedge violations, rather than zoning. The ordinance related to hedges will be codified in Chapter 38 of Title 4 of the Redondo Beach Municipal Code (“RBMC”). Title 10 will later be amended to be consistent with this new chapter. The applicable penalty sections for violations of the RBMC are codified in Sections 1-2.01 and 1-2.03. Each of these sections will need to be amended to reflect the changes proposed, and if approved, would be brought back for second reading and Council adoption on September 15, 2026. The ordinances would take effect 30 days later, on October 15, 2026. Title 10 will be amended at a later time to become consistent with this new chapter.
COORDINATION
The City Attorney's Office coordinated with the City Manager’s Office, Community Development, Engineering, as well as Councilmembers Behrendt and Obagi in connection with the preparation of this report.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
Submitted by:
Joy A. Ford, City Attorney
ATTACHMENTS
• Ord. No. 3317-26 Amending Title 4, Chapter 38 of the Redondo Beach Municipal Code
• Ord. No. 3318-26 Amending Title 1, Chapter 2, Section 1-2.01 of the Redondo Beach Municipal Code
• Ord. No. 3319-26 Amending Title 1, Chapter 2, Section 1-2.03 of the Redondo Beach Municipal Code
• Redondo Beach Municipal Code - Current Sections 1-2.01 and 1-2.03