STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: September 22, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Cindy Gordon, AICP, Assistant Director of Community Development/City Planner
Edgar Arroyo, Project Manager
Ray Balderas, Principal Planner
Subject: Annual Retail Queueing Permitting Process Update Attachments None
INTRODUCTION
On July 2, 2024, the City Council approved a retail queueing permitting process through the issuance of minor encroachment permits pursuant to Beverly Hills Municipal Code (BHMC) §8-3-4. The permitting process continued the provisions under the temporary OpenBH program to allow businesses to set up queues outside a business entrance on the sidewalk using stanchions to limit the flow of patrons into retail establishments.
The process includes a requirement that the program be reviewed annually by the City Council to ensure the program has not created unforeseen adverse impacts to neighboring businesses or the pedestrian experience.
This is the second annual report covering the period from September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026.
DISCUSSION
The regulations outlined in BHMC §8-3-4 state that the transportation/engineering official has the authority to act upon and issue permits under the criteria set forth in BHMC §8- 3-6 for certain types of encroachments1. This includes “minor encroachments for objects or materials which are not affixed to real property, including, but not limited to, ornamentation, flower containers, and other encroachments not regulated by permits issued under chapter 2 of this title.” In addition, BHMC §8-3-14 provides the transportation/engineering official the authority to issue rules and regulations for implementation of this regulation. Retail queueing is considered a “minor encroachment” and meets the criteria set forth in BHMC §8-3-6.
1 BHMC §8-3-6 provides criteria for issuance of an encroachment permit: “A. The encroachment use for which the permit is requested is necessary or desirable; B. The encroachment use does not create a substantial adverse impact on persons or property; C. The encroachment use does not adversely affect the public health, welfare, and safety.” Meeting Date: September 22, 2026
The retail queueing application form2 sets forth the applicable requirements for installation and permit issuance.
Retail Queueing Permit Tracking
From September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026, two retail queuing permit applications were approved. Since the start of the program, a total of four permits have been issued, as follows:
• Sample Sale LA at 301 North Cañon Drive
• Studio LA at 242 North Beverly Drive
• Louis Vuitton USA at 295 North Rodeo Drive
• Abel Richard at 326 North Rodeo Drive
Staff continues to receive inquiries from businesses interested in the program. The program has been successful in allowing retailers to address security concerns and provide an exclusive shopping experience by limiting the flow of patrons into their business. Staff believes that the retail queuing program is successfully serving its intended purpose and has not resulted in any adverse impacts on neighboring businesses or the pedestrian experience. Staff recommends that the program continue in its current form.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the City for this annual report. Any retail queueing permit is subject to permitting fees as set forth in the City’s Comprehensive Schedule of Taxes, Fees, and Charges for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.
RECOMMENDATION
This report is for information only; no further action is required. 2 Application form can be accessed at:
https://beverlyhills-building-and-safety-community-development.app.transform.civicplus.com/forms/retailqueuing Michael Forbes, AICP,
Director of Community Development
Approved By