1 BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT BRAGG
ORDINANCE NO. 1002-2025
WHEREAS, California Constitution Article XI, Section 7, enables the City of Fort Bragg (the “City”) to enact local planning and land use regulations; and WHEREAS, the authority to adopt and enforce zoning regulations is an exercise of the City’s police power to protect the public health, safety, and welfare; and WHEREAS, the City of Fort Bragg (“City”) adopted a General Plan in 2002 which established policies for all lands within Fort Bragg city limits and its sphere of influence; and
WHEREAS, the City adopted a Coastal General Plan (“Coastal GP”) as the Land Use Plan portion of the Local Coastal Program on May 12, 2008 which established policies for all land within the Fort Bragg Coastal Zone; and WHEREAS, in August 2008 the California Coastal Commission certified the City’s Local Coastal Program (LCP) which includes the Coastal GP as the Land Use Plan; and WHEREAS, the City Council adopted Resolution 3162-2008 on May 12, 2008, adopting the Coastal General Plan; and
WHEREAS, the City adopted a Coastal Land Use and Development Code in 2008 as the implementing portion of the Local Coastal Program on May 12, 2008, which established all land use regulations for the Coastal Zone; and WHEREAS, the Coastal General Plan includes policies to: (1) advance the orderly growth and development of the City’s Coastal areas; (2) protect coastal resources; (3) incorporate sustainability into the development process so that Fort Bragg’s coastal resources and amenities are preserved for future generations; (4) respond to current environmental and infrastructure constraints; (5) protect the public health, safety and welfare; and (6) promote fiscally responsible development; and WHEREAS, in May of 2020, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic the City adopted an amendment to the Municipal Code which gave the City Manager, as the Director of Emergency Services, the power: “To waive zoning requirements and/or standards to facilitate business operations of established businesses affected by public health orders of the federal, state, or county government, to the extent that such waivers would not
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING DIVISION
17 OF THE FORT BRAGG MUNICIPAL
CODE (ZONING AMENDMENT LCP 3-
23) TO AMEND CHAPTER 17.42.190–
RESTAURANTS OF DIVISION 17 OF
THE FORT BRAGG MUNICIPAL CODE
TO ESTABLISH REGULATIONS AND
STANDARDS FOR OUTDOOR DINING.
2 result in an increase in general intensity of use beyond what is otherwise allowed, as applicable to zoning district;” and
WHEREAS, the City of Fort Bragg relaxed standards so that outdoor dining could be established during the pandemic and a number of restaurants erected outdoor dining facilities which have proven to be very popular; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to ensure that outdoor dining can continue in Fort Bragg in a safe and enjoyable manner; and
WHEREAS, the Community Development Committee held a duly noticed public hearing on May 17, 2023, to discuss recommending regulations to establish a method for outdoor dining to continue even as state regulations allowing outdoor dining during the COVID-19 Pandemic were set to expire; and
WHEREAS, on June 26, 2023, City Council received a report and provided direction to staff regarding future zoning modifications to allow outdoor dining; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on January 10, 2024 and January 31, 2024 to consider the Zoning Code Amendment, accept public testimony and adopted a resolution recommending that City Council adopt a zoning amendment to establish regulations for outdoor dining; and WHEREAS, the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing on April 8, 2024 to consider the Zoning Code Amendment, and accept public testimony regarding a zoning amendment to establish regulations for outdoor dining; and WHEREAS, the Coastal Commission staff reviewed the Draft Language and provided questions and comments which have been incorporated into this Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the Coastal Commission staff requested that the City adopt the proposed language in ordinance form prior to bringing it forward to the Coastal Commission for consideration; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on January 29, 2025 to consider the zoning amendment, accept public testimony and consider the final resolution and ordinance language, and WHEREAS, the City Council has considered all public comments and a staff report dated February 24, 2025 regarding the proposed ordinance; the staff report is incorporated herein by reference and available for review at City Hall during normal business hours; and
WHEREAS, the proposed minor modification to the Coastal Land Use and Development Code is set forth in its entirety in Section 2 – Section 5 below; and WHEREAS, the “activities and approvals by a local government necessary for the preparation and adoption of a local coastal program or long range development plan” 3 pursuant to the California Coastal Act are statutorily exempt from compliance with CEQA, and this statutory exemption “shifts the burden of CEQA compliance from the local agency to the California Coastal Commission” (CEQA Guidelines § 15265 (c)); and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Fort Bragg City Council, based on the entirety of the record before it, which includes without limitation, CEQA, Public Resources Code §21000, et seq. and the CEQA Guidelines, 14 California Code of Regulations §15000, et seq.; the Fort Bragg Coastal General Plan; the Fort Bragg Coastal Land Use and Development Code; the Project application; all reports and public testimony submitted as part of the City Council meeting of February 24, 2025 and City Council deliberations; and any other evidence (within the meaning of Public Resources Code §21080(e) and §21082.2), the City Council of the City of Fort Bragg does hereby make the following findings and determinations:
SECTION 1. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS
1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and made a part of this Ordinance.
2. On January 10 and January 31, 2024, the Planning Commission held a properly noticed public hearing to consider recommending the proposed minor amendment to the Inland Land Use and Development Code to the Fort Bragg City Council for adoption and adopted a resolution in support of the City Council’s adoption of the amendment to the ILUDC pursuant to Gov. Code Section 65355; and
3. On April 8, 2024, the City Council held a properly noticed public hearing to consider adoption of the minor amendment to the Inland Land Use and Development Code; and
4. On February 24, 2025 the City Council held a properly noticed public hearing to consider adoption of the minor amendment to the Coastal Land Use and Development Code.
5. The documents and other material constituting the record for these proceedings are located in the Community Development Department.
6. The proposed amendment is consistent with the Coastal General Plan and any applicable specific plan; and
The proposed project is consistent with the land use designations of the Land Use Element of the Coastal General Plan (CGP) because the amendment would allow outdoor dining in the same land use designations as restaurants.
7. The proposed amendment is consistent with the following applicable General Plan policies: Policy LU-3.1, Policy LU-5.7, Policy LU-10.2, Policy LU-10.4, Policy PF1.2, Policy PF-2.1, Policy CD-1.1, Policy CD-2.1, Policy CD-2.5, Policy CD-3.2, Policy CD-3.3, Policy CD-3.4, Policy CD-1.9, Policy SF-5.1.
8. The proposed amendment would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare of the City; and
The proposed amendment includes sufficient safeguards to protect the health and safety of diners and of outdoor dining facilities. Outdoor dining will improve convenience by increasing dining options and providing for outdoor dining for people with immune issues where indoor dining may be unsafe due to COVID-19 and other communicable illness. The amendment furthers the public interest and welfare as indicated by the continued popularity of outdoor dining.
4 9. The proposed amendment is internally consistent with other applicable provisions of the Coastal Land Use Development Code, including its Chapters 17.42, 17.71,
17.100, and others; and the LCP Amendment is consistent with the California Coastal Act.
The Proposed Amendment is consistent with CLUDC standards as analyzed in the consistency analysis.
10. Pursuant to Coastal Act Section 30510(a), the City of Fort Bragg will carry out the Local Coastal Program as amended in a manner fully in conformity with the California Coastal Act; and
11. The documents and other material constituting the record for these proceedings are located in the Community Development Department.
12. The amendments to the Local Coastal Program shall take effect automatically upon Coastal Commission approval and certification pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 30512, 30513, and 30519.
SECTION 2. Based on the foregoing, the City Council does hereby:
Amend 17.21.030 - Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Residential Zoning Districts, Table 2-1 as follows (amendment shown in red text):
Restaurant, Café,
Coffee Shop
- - UP UP UP UP 17.42.165
Outdoor Dining - - MUP MUP MUP MUP 17.42.165
Amend 17.22.030- Allowed Land Uses and Permit Requirements for Commercial Zoning Districts, Table 2-1 as follows (amendment shown in red text):
5 Outdoor Dining P P P P P 17.42.165
SECTION 3. Amend 18.36.040 - Number of Parking Spaces Required, Table 3-7 as follows (amendment shown in red text):
TABLE 3-7 - PARKING REQUIREMENTS BY LAND USE (Continued) Land Use Type:
Retail Trade Vehicle Spaces Required
All “Retail Trade” and general retail uses
listed in § 17.22.030, Table 2-6, except
for the following:
.
1 space for each 400 sf of floor area, plus 1 space
for each 600 sf of outdoor sales area
Restaurant, cafe, coffee shop 1 space for each 4 seats; or 1 space for each 200 sf of floor area, whichever would yield more spaces.
Outdoor Dining No parking required.
SECTION 4. Amend 17.42.190 of the CLUDC as follows (amendment shown in red text):
17.42.190 – Restaurants & Outdoor Dining
A. Grease and Oils. The following standards for restaurants are intended to regulate the disposal of grease and oils for the protection of the City of Fort Bragg sewage treatment plant and the environment:
1. Operating standards. Restaurants shall comply with the following operating standards:
a. Installation and maintenance of grease trap/interceptor. Grease interceptor installation and maintenance must comply with the City’s Food Service Establishment Wastewater Discharge Permit and the City’s Municipal Code section regarding fats, oil and grease control.
b. Washing of restaurant floor mats, exhaust filters. Restaurant floor mats and exhaust filters shall be washed in a sink or wash area that drains to the sanitary 6 sewer, or collected wastewater from such washing shall be discharged to the sanitary sewer.
B. Outdoor Dining. The following standards are for outdoor dining facilities and are intended to regulate for the safe and compatible operation of outdoor dining facilities.
Outdoor Dining Facility may consist of tables and chairs for dining with or without a pavilion, tents and/or umbrellas.
1. Coastal Development Permit. A Coastal Development Permit is required for an Outdoor Dining Facility that includes development (as defined by this zoning code).
2. Allowed as part of Indoor Dining. These regulations apply only to restaurants that have an indoor dining component. Entirely outdoor restaurants are not permitted.
Outdoor dining associated with Mobile Vending Units are not permitted to engage in outdoor dining under this ordinance, instead they should follow the requirements of the Muni Code for Mobile Vending Units.
3. Location, Setbacks & Height Limits.
a. Outdoor dining pavilions and tents shall comply with all relevant setback and height limits of the zoning district.
b. Outdoor dining facilities shall be located on previously developed areas such as a parking lot, sidewalk, hardscape or landscaped area. c. Outdoor dining must be located a minimum of 50 feet from any environmentally sensitive area, wetland or rare plant community, unless it is located in an already developed area that was developed with authorization through a Coastal Development Permit.
d. Outdoor dining pavilions and tents shall be sited so that they do not add to stormwater runoff volume or peak runoff rates.
e. Outdoor dining pavilions and tents shall not be located in an area that would impact scenic views or resources as seen from a public right of way. f. Outdoor dining is permissible on the City’s sidewalks with Encroachment Permit approval.
4. Size Limits. Outdoor dining facilities of more than 1,300 SF may be approved with a Minor Use Permit.
5. Objective Design & Safety Criteria. Outdoor dining pavilions and tents are subject to Administrative Design Review and shall comply with the following criteria:
a. Outdoor dining facilities shall be confined to the area shown on the approved site plan.
b. Where umbrellas, tents or pavilions are proposed, a vertical clearance of at least 7 feet must be maintained.
c. Utilities, Heating & Lighting
I. The use of heating devices and electrical extension cords and lighting are subject to review and approval by the Fire Marshal.
II. Portable Heaters/Space Heaters are permitted if approved for outdoor use, located in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations, and located at least two feet from the edge or roof of any umbrella canvas, tent, pavilion, foliage, or any other flammable object or material.
III. All lighting located within or outside of outdoor dining pavilions shall be downward facing and night sky compliant.
d. Outdoor Dining shall not interfere with building ingress/egress.
1. ADA Accessibility. The outdoor dining area shall be designed, constructed and/or conform to the applicable provisions, rules, regulations and 7 guidelines of the California Building Code and Americans with Disabilities Act.
2. Outdoor Dining facilities shall not conflict with use of existing bicycle parking and access.
e. Moveable barriers shall be of solid, durable materials. Preferred barriers include removable fences, freestanding fences, hedges, planters, trees, removable columns, and pavilion or tent structures. Fabric inserts, chain link fencing, plastic, vinyl, chicken wire and cyclone fencing are not permitted. f. Pavilion and tent colors should either be white or a color which is compatible with the colors of the restaurant building.
6. Operating Standards. Outdoor dining shall comply with the following operating standards:
a. No amplified music after 9:00 pm.
b. No new service after 9:00 pm.
c. Hours of operation shall not begin prior to 7:00 am or extend later than 10:00 pm.
d. Smoking is prohibited in outdoor dining areas.
e. Outdoor dining, food preparation and cooking is only permissible in compliance with the California Retail Food Code and with the approval of the Mendocino County Division of Environmental Health.
f. Pavilions must be inspected by the Fire Marshal who shall submit a letter to the City that pavilion and associated equipment and furnishings are safe and in good repair at least once every five years or as determined by the Community Development Director.
g. Establishments that serve alcoholic beverages in the outdoor dining area shall meet all requirements of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board and have a permit for such service as well as any other federal, state, or local laws and regulations governing the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages.
SECTION 5. 17.100 Definitions Amendments
Outdoor Dining Facility. Outdoor dining may consist of a defined area with tables and chairs for dining with or without a temporary pavilion, tent and/or umbrellas, and adjacent to and on the same parcel and serviced by a restaurant with an indoor dining component.
If the outdoor dining structure requires a building permit, it is not considered outdoor dining. Outdoor bars are not outdoor dining facilities.
SECTION 6. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of the Ordinance. The City Council of the City of Fort Bragg hereby declares that it would have passed this Ordinance and each section, subsection, sentence, clause, and phrase thereof irrespective of the fact that one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses, or phrases may be held invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 7. Effective Date and Publication. This Ordinance shall become effective upon its certification by the Coastal Commission. Within fifteen (15) days after the passage of this Ordinance by the Coastal Commission, the City Clerk shall cause a 8 summary of said Ordinance to be published as provided in Government Code §36933, in a newspaper of general circulation published and circulated in the City of Fort Bragg, along with the names of the City Council voting for and against its passage.
SECTION 8. Fort Bragg City Council does hereby approve the Zoning Amendment LCP 3-23 to Amend Chapter 17.42.190– Restaurants of Division 17 of the Fort Bragg Municipal Code to Establish Regulations and Standards for Outdoor Dining.
The foregoing Ordinance was introduced by Councilmember Peters at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Fort Bragg held February 24, 2025, and adopted at a regular meeting of the City of Fort Bragg held on March 24, 2025 by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
RECUSE:
Jason Godeke
ATTEST: Mayor
Diana Paoli
City Clerk
PUBLISH:
EFFECTIVE DATE:
March 13, 2025 and Date, 2025 (by
summary). Date, 2025.