RESOLUTION NO. 26.XXX
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, FINDING THAT ORDINANCE
NO. 1730, WHICH STREAMLINES THE DESIGN REVIEW AND
OTHER PERMIT PROCESSES, AND CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. 26.059, WHICH AMENDS THE DESIGN
GUIDELINES – A GUIDE TO RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT,
ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE CERTIFIED LAGUNA BEACH
COASTAL LAND USE PLAN AND CHAPTER 6 OF THE
CALIFORNIA COASTAL ACT, AFFIRMING THE CITY’S INTENT
TO IMPLEMENT ITS CERTIFIED LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM
IN A MANNER FULLY IN CONFORMITY WITH THE
CALIFORNIA COASTAL ACT, AND FINDING THE ACTION
EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY ACT UNDER CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15301 OR
ALTERNATIVELY 15265
WHEREAS, the City of Laguna Beach, California (“City”) is a municipal corporation, duly organized under the constitution and laws of the State of California; and WHEREAS, the City is located within the California State Coastal Zone; and WHEREAS, the California Coastal Act (“Coastal Act”) is a comprehensive scheme governing land use planning for the state’s entire coastal zone; and WHEREAS, as part of its enactment, the Legislature made several findings related to the Coastal Act’s purpose: (1) the coastal zone “is a distinct and valuable natural resource of vital and enduring interest to all the people”; (2) that “permanent protection of the state’s natural and scenic resources is of paramount concern”; (3) that “it is necessary to protect the ecological balance of the coastal zone”; and (4) that “existing developed uses, and future developments that are carefully planned and developed consistent with the policies of [the Coastal Act], are essential to the economic and social well-being of the people of this state. . . .” (Pub. Res. Code §§ 30001(a), (d)); and -2- Reso. #
WHEREAS, the Coastal Act is “interpreted liberally to accomplish its objectives” and relies heavily on local governments “[t]o achieve maximum responsiveness to local conditions, accountability, and public accessibility. . . .” (Pub. Res. Code § 30004(a); Pub. Res. Code § 30009).
The Coastal Act requires local governments to develop local coastal programs (“LCPs”), comprised of a land use plan and implementing ordinances, to promote the Coastal Act’s objectives. (Id.; see also Pub. Res. Code §§ 30001.5; 30500–30526.) Once the California Coastal Commission certifies a local government’s program, the Coastal Commission delegates authority over coastal development permits to the local government. (Pub. Res. Code §§ 30519(a); 30600.5(a)-(c)); and WHEREAS, the City has authority over coastal development permits by virtue of the California Coastal Commission’s January 13, 1993 certification of the City’s LCP. The Coastal Act allows the Coastal Commission to specify, by regulation, those classes of development which involve a risk of adverse environmental effect and require coastal development permits. (Pub. Res. Code § 30610.) Through its certified LCP, the City has the authority to specify those classes of development which involve a risk of adverse environmental effect and require coastal development permit; and WHEREAS, as recognized by the Coastal Commission, the City’s LCP is comprised of a Land Use Plan and an Implementation Plan. The Land Use Plan consists of several planning documents, including, but not limited to, the Coastal Land Use Plan Technical Appendix (“Coastal Technical Appendix”) and the General Plan’s Land Use and Open Space/Conservation Elements. The LCP’s Implementation Plan is comprised of numerous resources, including, among other things, Laguna Beach Municipal Code Title 25 (Zoning Code), Title 22 (Excavation and Grading), Title 16 -3- Reso. #
(Water Quality), and the Design Guidelines.1, 2 The documents that collectively comprise the City’s certified LCP are publicly accessible on the City’s website (linked in footnote 2, below); and WHEREAS, periodically the City identifies sections of its LCP and Municipal Code that are outdated, unclear, conflict with other Municipal Code sections, or warrant modifications to improve or enhance the functions and operations of the City; and WHEREAS, in early 2024, City staff began considering measures to address backlog and improve processing within the Community Development Department and began drafting an ordinance; and
WHEREAS, on October 1, 2024, the City held a Community workshop, where it sought feedback on potential solutions to Community Development Department backlog and process, including a Design Review Efficiency Ordinance (“DR Efficiency Ordinance”); and WHEREAS, on October 17, 2024, the City released copy of the DR Efficiency Ordinance to the public and a coversheet summarizing changes and asked for feedback from the public by certain deadline; and
WHEREAS, City staff revised the DR Efficiency Ordinance to address public comments; and
WHEREAS, on March 12, 2025, the City Council, Planning Commission, and Design Review Board met in a joint study session on the DR Efficiency Ordinance; and WHEREAS, City staff revised the DR Efficiency Ordinance to address comments from public, City Council, Planning Commission, and Design Review Board; and 1 See e.g., p. 9 of April 12, 2023 Coastal Commission staff report, which can be accessed at:
https://documents.coastal.ca.gov/reports/2023/4/W12b/W12b-4-2023-report.pdf 2 The materials that collectively comprise the City’s certified LCP can be accessed here:
https://www.lagunabeachcity.net/government/departments/community-development/planningzoning/land-use-plans/local-coastal-program. -4- Reso. #
WHEREAS, on April 8, 2025, the City Council considered revised version of the DR Efficiency Ordinance based on feedback from public, Planning Commission, and Design Review Board and provided direction to staff to implement modifications and proceed to Planning Commission; and
WHEREAS, City staff revised the DR Efficiency Ordinance to address City Council direction; and
WHEREAS, on July 22, 2025, in recognition of mandated state housing laws, the City Council held a meeting and discussed (1) development of objective design standards for multifamily residential (to implement existing obligation under City's adopted Housing Element) and (2) development of objective design standards for primary dwelling units; and WHEREAS, City staff revised the DR Efficiency Ordinance to address City Council direction; and
WHEREAS, on November 18, 2025, the City Council considered a revised version of the DR Efficiency Ordinance and provided direction to staff to (a) implement modifications; (b) present to Coastal Commission staff; and (c) proceed to Planning Commission; and WHEREAS, City staff revised the DR Efficiency Ordinance to implement City Council direction and submitted it to Coastal Commission staff; and WHEREAS, City staff reviewed two sets of Coastal Commission staff comments and revised the DR Efficiency Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, on March 18, 2026, after notice duly given pursuant to Government Code Section 65090 and Public Resources Code Sections 30503 and 30510, the Planning Commission of the City of Laguna Beach considered the DR Efficiency Ordinance. As part of the DR Efficiency Ordinance, the City proposes to consolidate the 16 design review criteria in Laguna Beach -5- Reso. #
Municipal Code Section 25.05.040(H) into 11 criteria by removing the following criteria: Design Integrity; Public Art; Sign Quality; Sustainability; and Swimming Pools, Spas, and Water Features; in conjunction with corresponding changes to the Design Guidelines - A Guide to Residential Development (the “Design Guidelines”) to remove the same set of criteria. After conducting a public hearing, the Planning Commission recommended that the City Council adopt the DR Efficiency Ordinance (MC Amendment 2026-0381) and an amendment to the City’s certified Local Coastal Program (LCPA 2026-0382); and
WHEREAS, the DR Efficiency Ordinance and the DR Guidelines are both components of the City’s certified Local Coastal Program; and
WHEREAS, City staff revised the DR Efficiency Ordinance to implement Planning Commissions’ direction; and
WHEREAS, City staff reviewed a third set of Coastal Commission staff comments and revised the DR Efficiency Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, on May 11, 2026, the City Council held a public hearing and considered the first reading of the DR Efficiency Ordinance and provided direction to City staff; and WHEREAS, City staff revised the DR Efficiency Ordinance to address City Council direction; and
WHEREAS, on June 23, 2026, the City Council conducted a legally noticed public hearing and reviewed and considered all documents, testimony, and other evidence presented as a first reading of the DR Efficiency Ordinance and voted to introduce the DR Efficiency Ordinance with modifications; and
WHEREAS, on July 21, 2026, the City Council considered the amendment to the City's certified LCP (LCPA 2026-0382), consisting of the DR Efficiency Ordinance and corresponding -6- Reso. #
amendments to the Design Guidelines. The City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1730, amending Titles 21, 22, and 25 of the Laguna Beach Municipal Code, and Resolution No. 26.059, amending the Design Guidelines, and requested that the Coastal Commission approve and certify the LCP amendment; and
WHEREAS, on July 30, 2026, the City submitted the proposed LCP amendment to the Coastal Commission, together with materials sufficient for a thorough and complete review under Public Resources Code section 30510, subdivision (b); and WHEREAS, on August 13, 2026, the Coastal Commission notified the City that its submittal for Request No. LCP-5-LGB-26-0038-2 was incomplete because Ordinance No. 1730 and Resolution No. 26.059 did not state that the LCP amendment was intended to be carried out in a manner fully in conformity with the Coastal Act. The Coastal Commission requested a revised resolution satisfying Public Resources Code section 30510, subdivision (a); and WHEREAS, based on all of evidence received at the public hearings on the Ordinance No. 1730 and Resolution No. 26.059, the City Council desires to find and certify that this Resolution and LCP-5-LGB-26-0038-2 is intended to be carried out in a manner fully in conformity with the California Coastal Act. Additionally, the City Council desires to find and certify that this Resolution and LCP-5-LGB-26-0038-2 will be consistent with the Certified Laguna Beach Coastal Land Use Plan and Chapter 6 of the California Coastal Act; and WHEREAS, all other legal perquisites to the adoption of this Resolution have been satisfied.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH DOES RESOLVE:
-7- Reso. #
SECTION 1. The recitals set forth above are true and correct and are incorporated into this Resolution by this reference.
SECTION 2. The City Council finds that Ordinance No. 1730 and the amendments to the Design Guidelines adopted by Resolution No. 26.059, which are attached as Exhibits "A" and "B" to this Resolution, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference, will be consistent with the certified Laguna Beach Coastal Land Use Plan and Chapter 6 of the Coastal Act. The City Council further affirms its intent to implement the Local Coastal Program in a manner fully in conformity with the Coastal Act.
SECTION 3. The City Council hereby requests that the California Coastal Commission consider, approve, and certify the Local Coastal Program amendment to as set forth in Exhibit “A” and Exhibit “B” attached to this Resolution and incorporated herein by this reference, in accordance with the Coastal Act and its regulations. The City Council hereby acknowledges that, if the California Coastal Commission certifies the amendment without any suggested modifications, the amendment is effective immediately pursuant to 14 CCR Section 13544(b). If the California Coastal Commission conditionally certifies the amendment with suggested modifications, however, the amendment is effective upon the City’s acknowledgement of receipt of the California Coastal Commission’s action, the City’s acceptance and agreement to any such terms and modifications, and the City’s final action to satisfy the terms and modifications pursuant to 14 CCR Section 13544(c).
SECTION 4. The Director of Community Development is hereby authorized and directed to submit this resolution, together with any appropriate supporting materials, to the California Coastal Commission.
-8- Reso. #
SECTION 5. On July 21, 2026, the City Council found that the project consisting of adoption of Ordinance No. 1730, which amended Titles 21, 22, and 25 of the Laguna Beach Municipal Code, and Resolution No. 26.059, which amended the Design Guidelines, (the “Project”) was categorically exempt from CEQA under State CEQA Guidelines section 15301.
That exemption applies to the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. As a separate and independent basis, the City Council also found that the Project was statutorily exempt from CEQA under State CEQA Guidelines section 15265, which states that CEQA does not apply to activities and approvals pursuant to the Coastal Act necessary for the preparation and adoption of a local coastal program because the Coastal Commission’s local coastal program review and approval procedures have been found to be functionally equivalent to the environmental review process. The City Council determines that, in accordance with CEQA, the adoption of this resolution is an implementing action of the Project and is exempt from CEQA under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 and, alternatively, Section 15265 for the same reasons set forth in the CEQA Notice of Exemption (NOE) that was filed with the Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation and the Orange County Clerk-Recorder on July 23, 2026. There have been no changes to the Project, no changed circumstances, and no new information that could not previously have been known, that would trigger the need for subsequent CEQA review. City staff is directed to cause a Notice of Exemption in connection with this action to be filed with the County Recorder’s Office and State Clearinghouse within five days of adoption of this Resolution. -9- Reso. #
SECTION 6. The documents and materials that constitute the record of proceedings on which this Resolution has been based are located at City Hall, 505 Forest Avenue Laguna Beach, CA 92651. The custodian of the record of proceedings is the Director of Community Development.
ADOPTED this 22nd day of September, 2026.
Mark Orgill, Mayor
ATTEST:
Ann Marie McKay, City Clerk
I, Ann Marie McKay, City Clerk of the City of Laguna Beach, certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 26.XXX was duly adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of said City held on September 22, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
City Clerk, City of Laguna Beach, California
EXHIBIT “A”
Ordinance No. 1730 Amending Title 25 (Zoning), Title 21 (Subdivisions), and Title 22 (Excavating, Grading, and Filling) (the “DR Efficiency Ordinance”), Adopted July 21, 2026 [Attached]
EXHIBIT “B”
Amended The Design Guidelines - A Guide to Residential Development (the “DR Guidelines”), Adopted July 21, 2026
[Attached]