To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: LUKE SMUDE, ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER
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DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION RELATED TO THE CITY'S PROHIBITION OF GENERAL FOOD SALES, INCLUSIVE OF BEER AND WINE, AT SERVICE STATIONS IN THE COASTAL ZONEend
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
At the November 4, 2025 City Council Meeting, Council Member Castle requested staff return with a discussion item regarding the possible sale of general grocery items at service stations in the City's Coastal Zone. The City Council last discussed this item on September 19, 2023, when the Council initiated approval of Ordinance No. 3263-23 that allowed for the sale of general food items at service stations in the City's Inland Zone.
BACKGROUND
The City of Redondo Beach currently features 11 service stations. Prior to the implementation of Ordinance No. 3263-23, which occurred in November 2023, all service stations were allowed to sell only incidental convenience items, not general food items. From a legal perspective, the "general food/grocery" category also pertains to both beer and wine.
Ordinance No. 3263-23 amended the Redondo Beach Municipal Code (RBMC) to allow for general food sales at service stations in the City's Inland Zone only. The change impacted 9 of the City's 11 total service stations. At the time, the City Council opted not to extend the allowance for general food sales to the two service stations in the Coastal Zone. The prohibition in the Coastal Zone remains in place today.
Should the Council wish to amend the existing Coastal Zone policy, an ordinance amending the RBMC would be required. In addition to regular City Council approval, the action would also be subject to certification by the California Coastal Commission.
If approved by Council and certified by the California Coastal Commission, service station owners would then have the opportunity to apply for a Conditional Use Permit to allow for general food sales, with or without the inclusion ...
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