200 S. Anaheim Blvd.
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Anaheim, CA 92805
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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
DATE: JUNE 9, 2026
FROM: CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
SUBJECT: SELF-CHECKOUT STATION STAFFING AND SAFETY
REQUIREMENTS FOR GROCERY AND DRUG STORES
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 27
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
REQUESTED ACTION:
That the City Council introduce an ordinance adding Chapter 6.110 (Grocery and Drug Store Staffing Standards for Self Service Checkout Stations) to Title 6 of the Anaheim Municipal Code relating to grocery and drug store staffing and safety requirements.
DISCUSSION:
The expansion of self-service checkout stations in grocery and drug retail stores has been a growing trend nationally. While self-checkout technology can improve efficiency, concerns have emerged regarding its impact on worker safety, retail theft, customer service, and employment levels.
On March 3, 2026, at the request of Council Member Campos Kurtz, in conjunction with Mayor Aitken, the City Council discussed potential staffing and safety requirements for self-checkout stations at grocery and drug retail establishments in the City of Anaheim.
Following the discussion, Council directed staff to return with an ordinance for consideration. The attached ordinance and this report respond to that direction.
The following is a summary of the key provisions in the proposed ordinance:
1. Applicability: The ordinance would apply to 1) grocery stores over fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet in size that sell primarily household foodstuff for offsite consumption, or over eighty-five thousand (85,000) square feet in size and with ten percent (10%) of its sales floor area dedicated to the sale of non-taxable merchandise, and 2) drug stores that sell a variety of prescription and non- prescription medicines and miscellaneous items.
2. Staffing Requirements: One (1) employee minimum shall be assigned to supervise Self-Checkout operations when Self-Checkout options are available. If a store has two or more Self-Checkout Stations, there shall be a minimum of one (1) employee assigned for every four (4) Self-Service Checkout Stations (1:4 ratio). At least one Non-Self-Checkout Station shall be staffed by an employee between the hours of 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM.
Self-Checkout Station Staffing and Safety Requirements for Grocery and Drug Stores June 9, 2026
3. Item Limitations: Signs shall be prominently displayed limiting Self-Checkout Stations to the purchase of no more than fifteen (15) items. In addition, customers shall be prohibited from using Self-Checkout for items that require an ID check, such as alcohol or tobacco, or for items tagged with theft-deterrent devices that an employee must remove at a Non-Self- Service Checkout Station.
4. Right to Cure: If a claim of violation of the ordinance is received by a grocery or drug store, the establishment shall have twenty-one (21) calendar days to cure the violation.
5. Enforcement: If the violation is not cured, an aggrieved individual may bring a private right of action to the Superior Court of the State of California with potential civil penalties of up to $1,000 for each day in which the violation remains uncured, as well as attorneys’ fees and costs.
6. Implementation Timeline: The ordinance would take effect sixty (60) days following adoption.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Adoption of the proposed ordinance is not expected to have a direct impact on the General Fund.
The ordinance would be enforced through a private right of action, so the City would not bear direct enforcement costs.
Respectfully submitted,
Greg Garcia
Interim City Manager
Attachment:
1. Proposed Ordinance