EXISTING REGULATIONS FOR
OVERHEAD STRING LIGHTS PLACED
ABOVE WALK STREETS
OCTOBER 18, 2022
2CITY OF
MANHATTAN BEACH
“Note: This PowerPoint presentation is
intended solely as a visual aid to an oral staff
presentation of an agenda report topic. In
the event of any differences between the
presentation and the agenda report, the
information in the agenda report prevails.”
• February 15, 2022 - City Council
requested information about overhead
string lights above walk streets
• Public Right-of-Way
• Safety standards
• Permitting process
• Enforcement
BACKGROUND
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OVERHEAD LIGHTS ABOVE WALK STREETS OCTOBER 18, 2022
PRESENTATION TOPIC
3CITY OF
MANHATTAN BEACH
“Note: This PowerPoint presentation is
intended solely as a visual aid to an oral staff
presentation of an agenda report topic. In
the event of any differences between the
presentation and the agenda report, the
information in the agenda report prevails.”
• MBMC Section 7.36 – Private Use of the
Public Right-of-Way
• Allows private use that is functional,
attractive and non-obtrusive
• Must have an encroachment permit
• Encroachment permits are
discretionary; may be denied or
revoked without cause.
DISCUSSION
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OVERHEAD LIGHTS ABOVE WALK STREETS OCTOBER 18, 2022
PRESENTATION TOPIC
4CITY OF
MANHATTAN BEACH
“Note: This PowerPoint presentation is
intended solely as a visual aid to an oral staff
presentation of an agenda report topic. In
the event of any differences between the
presentation and the agenda report, the
information in the agenda report prevails.”
• Permit requirements apply to all
encroachments, including
• Private improvements
• Long-term commercial use and
commercial sidewalk dining
• Temporary access for construction
• Issued by Community Development
Director
DISCUSSION
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OVERHEAD LIGHTS ABOVE WALK STREETS OCTOBER 18, 2022
PRESENTATION TOPIC
5CITY OF
MANHATTAN BEACH
“Note: This PowerPoint presentation is
intended solely as a visual aid to an oral staff
presentation of an agenda report topic. In
the event of any differences between the
presentation and the agenda report, the
information in the agenda report prevails.”
• Encroachment Standards
(General)
• All structures (as defined by Building
Code) prohibited from encroaching
unless approved by the City Council
• Obstructions to neighboring
resident’s scenic views shall be
avoided.
DISCUSSION
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OVERHEAD LIGHTS ABOVE WALK STREETS OCTOBER 18, 2022
PRESENTATION TOPIC
6CITY OF
MANHATTAN BEACH
“Note: This PowerPoint presentation is
intended solely as a visual aid to an oral staff
presentation of an agenda report topic. In
the event of any differences between the
presentation and the agenda report, the
information in the agenda report prevails.”
• Encroachment Standards (Walk
Streets)
• The height for fences and railings is
42” maximum.
• Landscaping must be 42”
maximum.
• Combined height shall not exceed
a height of 42”.
DISCUSSION
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OVERHEAD LIGHTS ABOVE WALK STREETS OCTOBER 18, 2022
PRESENTATION TOPIC
7CITY OF
MANHATTAN BEACH
“Note: This PowerPoint presentation is
intended solely as a visual aid to an oral staff
presentation of an agenda report topic. In
the event of any differences between the
presentation and the agenda report, the
information in the agenda report prevails.”
OVERHEAD STRING LIGHTS
• Interconnected lights suspended above the
ground.
• Suspension points are usually from a pole,
tree or building.
• Rarely serve as necessary, required, or
safety lighting.
• Many varieties of string lights, including lights
themed with single or multiple colors, with
many types of bulbs (holiday string lights)
DISCUSSION
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OVERHEAD LIGHTS ABOVE WALK STREETS OCTOBER 18, 2022
PRESENTATION TOPIC
8CITY OF
MANHATTAN BEACH
“Note: This PowerPoint presentation is
intended solely as a visual aid to an oral staff
presentation of an agenda report topic. In
the event of any differences between the
presentation and the agenda report, the
information in the agenda report prevails.”
• MBMC does not specifically prohibit
overhead lights above walk streets.
• All allowed apparatus on the walk
streets limited to no more than 42”.
• Assumed that structures taller than 42”
may impact scenic views.
• New or modified structures taller than
6’ require a building permit.
DISCUSSION
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OVERHEAD LIGHTS ABOVE WALK STREETS OCTOBER 18, 2022
PRESENTATION TOPIC
9CITY OF
MANHATTAN BEACH
“Note: This PowerPoint presentation is
intended solely as a visual aid to an oral staff
presentation of an agenda report topic. In
the event of any differences between the
presentation and the agenda report, the
information in the agenda report prevails.”
• Structures over walk streets required to
be over 15’ tall for height clearance.
• Many of the City’s walk streets lie within
Underground Utility Assessment
Districts (UUADs).
• MBMC prohibits any person or utility
from installing poles or wires within the
boundaries of a UUAD
DISCUSSION
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OVERHEAD LIGHTS ABOVE WALK STREETS OCTOBER 18, 2022
PRESENTATION TOPIC
10CITY OF
MANHATTAN BEACH
“Note: This PowerPoint presentation is
intended solely as a visual aid to an oral staff
presentation of an agenda report topic. In
the event of any differences between the
presentation and the agenda report, the
information in the agenda report prevails.”
• Alternative #1: No Action: Continue to
prohibit overhead string lights on walk streets.
• Alternative #2: (Work Plan) Allow for
temporary overhead string lights suspended
from private property only in eligible areas.
• Alternative #3: (Work Plan)Allow
temporary overhead string lights suspended
from private or public property in eligible
areas.
POLICY ALTERNATIVES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OVERHEAD LIGHTS ABOVE WALK STREETS OCTOBER 18, 2022
PRESENTATION TOPIC