DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL CODE
AMENDMENTS TO ALLOW PORTABLE
SIGNS AND BENCHES IN THE PUBLIC
RIGHT OF WAY
FEBRUARY 3, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING
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.” Oct. 7, 2025: City Council Meeting
BACKGROUND
DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL TO ALLOW PORTABLE SIGNS AND BENCHES IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY FEBRUARY 3, 2026
• Requested as a future
agenda item
º Downtown area
º Portable signs
º Benches
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.”
GOVERNING REGULATIONS
• Manhattan Beach Local
Coastal Program (MBLCP)
• Manhattan Beach
Municipal Code (MBMC)
DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL TO ALLOW PORTABLE SIGNS AND BENCHES IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY FEBRUARY 3, 2026
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.”
GOVERNING REGULATIONS
MBLCP/MBMC Section 7.36.170 (Long-Term
Commercial Use Encroachment Permits)
• Generally, requires City Council review
• Exceptions:
o Sidewalk dining
o Building projections
o Roof access or other elements
DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL TO ALLOW PORTABLE SIGNS AND BENCHES IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY FEBRUARY 3, 2026
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.”
GOVERNING REGULATIONS
MBLCP Section A.72.070/MBMC Section
10.72.070 (Prohibited Signs)
• Portable Signs, Off-site Signs
MBLCP Section A.60.080/MBMC Section
10.60.080 (Outdoor Facilities)
• Items allowed on private property
MBMC Chapter 7.24 (Benches Along Public Ways)
• Not utilized and excluded from MBLCP
DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL TO ALLOW PORTABLE SIGNS AND BENCHES IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY FEBRUARY 3, 2026
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.”
CODE ENFORCEMENT
Increased staffing levels
Business community engagement
Notifications
• Letters to ALL businesses
• Notice of Violations
o No citations issued
DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL TO ALLOW PORTABLE SIGNS AND BENCHES IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY FEBRUARY 3, 2026
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.” Sidewalk width clear of obstructions
ADA clearance requirements
Control of physical appearance
Special considerations for unique locations
POLICY PRIORITIES
DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL TO ALLOW PORTABLE SIGNS AND BENCHES IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY FEBRUARY 3, 2026
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.”
POTENTIAL CODE AMENDMENTS
MBLCP/MBMC Chapter 7.36 (Private use of the
right of way)
• Encroachment standards
o Non-permanent objects
o Pedestrian clearance
o Relation to other encroachments
• Long-term commercial use encroachments
o Streamline process with Director-level review
DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL TO ALLOW PORTABLE SIGNS AND BENCHES IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY FEBRUARY 3, 2026
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.”
POTENTIAL CODE AMENDMENTS
MBLCP Chapter A.72/MBMC Chapter 10.72
• Portable Sign, Off-site Signs
o Update permitted and prohibited sign
o Establish new design criteria
DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL TO ALLOW PORTABLE SIGNS AND BENCHES IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY FEBRUARY 3, 2026
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.”
POTENTIAL CODE AMENDMENTS
MBLCP Section A.60.080/MBMC Section
10.60.080
• Outdoor facilities permit
o Supplement with more clarity
o Inform standards for public property
DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL TO ALLOW PORTABLE SIGNS AND BENCHES IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY FEBRUARY 3, 2026
11CITY 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.” • Focus of initial direction
o Area: Downtown
o Objects: Portable signs and benches
• Potential expanded discussion
o Expand to apply to other areas
o Include other objects
o Standards for public vs. private property
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL TO ALLOW PORTABLE SIGNS AND BENCHES IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY FEBRUARY 3, 2026
12CITY 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.”
MBLCP AMENDMENT
California Coastal Commission
• Certification required to take
effect in Coastal Zone
o Applies to any amendment to
MBLCP
o Process can take several
months
DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL TO ALLOW PORTABLE SIGNS AND BENCHES IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY FEBRUARY 3, 2026
13CITY 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.” • Notified interested parties and community
business organizations
• Attended Downtown Business and
Professional Association(DBPA )meeting and
walking tour
• Additional outreach to be conducted based
on Council direction
PUBLIC OUTREACH
DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL TO ALLOW PORTABLE SIGNS AND BENCHES IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY FEBRUARY 3, 2026
14CITY 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.”
1. Types of encroachments to be regulated
• Portable signs and benches only; OR
• Include other objects
2. Geographic focus area
• Downtown only; OR
• Include other commercial zoning districts
3. Public vs. private property sign regulations
4. Code enforcement actions
DIRECTION NEEDED
DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL TO ALLOW PORTABLE SIGNS AND BENCHES IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY FEBRUARY 3, 2026
15CITY 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.”
DIRECTION NEEDED
DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL TO ALLOW PORTABLE SIGNS AND BENCHES IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY FEBRUARY 3, 2026
Sidewalk width clear of obstructions
ADA clearance requirements
Control of physical appearance
o Components, features, preference, etc.
Special considerations for unique locations
o Walk streets, alleys, private property, etc.
16CITY 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.”