DATE: PROJECT TITLE:
SHEET TITLE:
SHEET NO.
DESIGNED BY:
DATE:
APPROVED BY:
PLAN FILE NO. / LOCATION
(805) 316-0101
PROJECT NUMBER:
PROJECT ENGINEER STAMP
DATE:
CHECKED BY:
DATE:
P_247 S. Merrill CITY OF MORRO BAY SPEED LIMITS SIGN AND STRIPING PLAN - KINGS AVE, QUINTANA RD (EAST OF MORRO BAY BLVD), AND SOUTH BAY BLVD
SIGN AND STRIPING PLAN - KINGS AVE, QUINTANA RD (EAST OF MORRO BAY BLVD), AND SOUTH BAY BLVD NOT TO SCALE M. Matson September 15, 2023
REPLACE R2-1 (40 MPH) WITH
30"x36" SIGN
South Bay Blvd 200' S of Quintana Rd N
REPLACE R2-1 (40 MPH) WITH
30"x36" SIGN
South Bay Blvd 1300' S of Quintana Rd
REPLACE R2-1 (40 MPH) WITH
30"x36" SIGN
South Bay Blvd 100' S of Park View Rd
REPLACE R2-1 (40 MPH) WITH
30"x36" SIGN
South Bay Blvd 900' N of Parking Lot
REPLACE R2-1 (40 MPH) WITH
30"x36" SIGN
South Bay Blvd 80' N of Park View Rd
REPLACE R2-1 (40 MPH) WITH
30"x36" SIGN
Quintana Rd 230' W of South Bay Blvd
INSTALL R2-1 (35 MPH) SIGN
Quintana Rd 75' E of La Loma Ave
6' from EPS
min. 50' from existing signs
REPLACE R2-1 (40 MPH) WITH
30"x36" SIGN
Quintana Rd 60' E of La Loma Ave E. Riddiough
Existing R2-1 (35 MPH) sign
Quintana Rd E of Las Tunas St QUINTANA RD PARK VIEW RD
SOUTH BAY BLVD
INSTALL R2-1 (25 MPH) AND
25 PAVEMENT MARKING
King Ave 105' S of Quintana Rd
3' from face of curb INSTALL R2-1 (25 MPH) SIGN
AND 25 PAVEMENT MARKING
Kings Ave at Pacific St
2' from face of curb
REPLACE R2-1 (25 MPH)
SIGN AND INSTALL 25
PAVEMENT MARKING
Kings Ave 30' S of Pacific St
KINGS AVE
PACIFIC AVE
KINGS AVE
QUINTANA RD
N KINGS AVE
PACIFIC ST
N
LEGEND
EXISTING ROADSIDE SIGN
NEW ROADSIDE SIGN 5 of 5 September 2023 September 2023
1 Refresh double yellow centerline
2 Refresh and add ladder crosswalk 3 Existing new crosswalk - no additional striping 1TYP
2 TYP
3
3 white edge of pavement
1 double yellow center line
2 white ladder crossing
1 Refresh double yellow centerline
2 Refresh ladder crossing
3 Refresh white edge of pavement line
RED CURB STRIPING
per AB413
BEACH STREET,
HARBOR STREET, and
PACIFIC STREET
April 24, 2025
BEACH STREET
10’ existing / 10’ needed
HARBOR STREET
10’
10’ existing / 10’ needed
20’ needed
PACIFIC STREET
20’ needed
17’ existing / 3’ needed
10’ existing / 10’ needed
DATE: PROJECT TITLE:
SHEET TITLE:
SHEET NO.
DESIGNED BY:
DATE:
APPROVED BY:
PLAN FILE NO. / LOCATION
(805) 316-0101
PROJECT NUMBER:
PROJECT ENGINEER STAMP
DATE:
CHECKED BY:
DATE:
1 of 7 GENERAL NOTES
1. Plan is accurate for the installation of new signs and striping only. All distances and locations are approximate.
2. It shall be the contractor’s responsibility to identify, locate, and protect utilities. Contractor shall contact Underground Service Alert (USA) at 811 at least 48 hours prior to start of work.
3. All work shall comply with the latest editions of the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CAMUTCD), City of Morro Bay, and Caltrans State Standard Plans (SSP) and Specifications (SSS).
4. It shall be the contractor's responsibility to provide traffic control at all times consistent with CAMUTCD. At a minimum, ROAD WORK AHEAD (W20-1) and shoulder taper channelizing devices shall be provided where work is to be performed.
5. All signing and delineation materials shall be on the Caltrans authorized material lists.
6. Signs shall be fabricated per the Standard Highway Signs and Markings book using aluminum sheeting and meet the Caltrans guidelines for reflectivity.
7. Signs shall be installed per CAMUTCD Figure 2A-2 (CA). Contractor to confirm pole heights needed to accommodate clearances. All Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible paths shall be maintained.
8. Signs on the shoulder shall be mounted on 4"X4" wood posts embedded 3.5' deep. Signs installed in concrete shall be mounted on a FHWA (Breakaway) approved, 14 gauge 2" Qwik-Punch sign post, or approved equal, with a heavy duty galvanized steel sleeve 3" above grade embedded minimum 14" deep. Sign post shall be attached to sleeve with a 3/8" drive rivet with a 1" washer.
9. All sign messages, sign sizes, and sign sheeting type to be approved by the Engineer prior to ordering. All striping layouts shall be approved by the Engineer prior to striping.
10. Shared Lane Markings "Sharrows" shall be installed per State Standard Plan A24C and CAMUTCD Figure 9C-108, centered in the approaching traveled way. Sharrows shall be placed immediately after an intersection or mid-block adjacent to another sharrow for the opposite direction of travel as shown.
11. All accessible parking spaces shall be installed per State Standard Plan A90A and CAMUTCD Figure 3B-22 (CA).
12. All parallel parking spaces shall be 8' wide with an 18' minimum (20' preferred) length for end parking stalls and a 22' minimum (25' preferred) length for interior parking stalls. All perpendicular parking shall be a minimum of 9' wide by 18' long.
13. All crosswalk striping shall be installed per State Standard Plan A24F with a 1' wide border for standard (basic) and ladder crosswalks. Ladder crosswalks shall be supplemented with 2' interior stripes including a 4' space between stripes.
14. Blue reflective pavement markers shall be installed adjacent to the centerline on the side of the existing fire hydrant.
EMBARCADERO RD, HARBOR ST, PACIFIC ST, AND ASSEMBLY BILL (AB) 413 SIGN AND STRIPING PLAN - TITLE SHEET
NOT TO SCALE
EMBARCADERO RD, HARBOR ST, PACIFIC ST, AND
AB 413 SIGN AND STRIPING PLAN - TITLE SHEET
CITY OF MORRO BAY
PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT
N
HARBOR
ST
MAIN ST
P_247 April 2025 M. Matson April 2025 J. Fernandez April 28, 2025 INDEX OF SHEETS SHEET 1: EMBARCADERO RD, HARBOR ST, PACIFIC ST, AND AB 413 SIGN AND STRIPING PLAN - TITLE SHEET SHEET 2: EMBARCADERO RD SIGN AND STRIPING PLAN - BEACH ST TO HARBOR ST SHEET 3: EMBARCADERO RD SIGN AND STRIPING PLAN - HARBOR ST TO PACIFIC ST SHEET 4: EMBARCADERO RD SIGN AND STRIPING PLAN - PACIFIC ST TO DRIFTWOOD ST SHEET 5: EMBARCADERO RD SIGN AND STRIPING PLAN - DRIFTWOOD ST TO TIDELANDS PARK SHEET 6: EMBARCADERO RD SIGN AND STRIPING PLAN - TIDELANDS PARK TO LAUNCH RAMP PARKING LOT SHEET 7: HARBOR ST, PACIFIC ST, AND AB 413 SIGN AND STRIPING PLAN SIGN LEGEND BEACH ST
PACIFIC ST
MARINA ST
DRIFTWOOD ST
ANCHOR ST
SOUTH ST
OLIVE ST
MORRO AVE
DUNES ST
MORRO BAY BLVD
MARKET AVE
SHEET 2 SHEET 3 SHEET 4 SHEET 5 SHEET 6
WEST ST
R99C (CA)
12" x 24"
R7-8b
12" x 6"
MARKED PARKING INVENTORY
EMBARCADERO RD SHEET 7 SHEET 7
R99C (CA)
12" x 18"
DATE: PROJECT TITLE:
SHEET TITLE:
SHEET NO.
DESIGNED BY:
DATE:
APPROVED BY:
PLAN FILE NO. / LOCATION
(805) 316-0101
PROJECT NUMBER:
PROJECT ENGINEER STAMP
DATE:
CHECKED BY:
DATE:
EMBARCADERO RD SIGN AND STRIPING PLAN - BEACH ST TO HARBOR ST
NOT TO SCALE
2 of 7 P_247 April 2025 M. Matson EMBARCADERO RD SIGN AND STRIPING PLAN BEACH ST TO HARBOR ST April 2025 J. Fernandez
N
9 34'
>20' 3
11 7
2 22' MATCHLINE - SHEET 3
1 11 15 23 12 8'
11'
Remove parking spaces in
unmarked crosswalk and
within intersection.
Do not replace
existing parking tee. BEACH ST
24' 8
26'
5'
33'
7' 63'
Covered
w/vegetation 54'
10 12 ' to crosswalk 26'
26' yellow/
white curb 1
1 1
3 hour
parking
sign
65'
6 2
255' existing parking
5 15' 53'
90'
30' 30'X8'
48'
133'
22' 240'
Stripe 7 (9'X18') parking spaces this side
starting from western curb.
HARBOR
ST
FRONT ST
EMBARCADERO RD
68'
37'
Stop sign (R1-1)
Stop sign (R1-1)
One way sign (R6-1)
Custom do
not enter sign Sharrow
20'
3' 5' 5
11'
44'
One way sign
(R6-1)
3 (29') white
hotel guest only
parking spaces
w/signs
18' 37'
9'X16.5' 9'X21'
Custom
parking
guide sign
Accessible
parking signs
(R99C CA) Custom accessible parking signs
Stop sign (R1-1) CITY OF MORRO BAY PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT
Restripe 8 parking spaces 20'
(20' end spaces, ~25' interior).
2 2
2 2
2 3
3 1
4 4 8
Sharrow
8 Remove eastern hotel parking sign. Stripe 3 (9' X18') parking spaces in existing location with eastern
most space striped as accessible parking space.
25'
9 11 13 13 7
10 8
8 8
April 28, 2025 1
1 MATCHLINE
- SHEET 7 LEGEND
CONSTRUCTION NOTES
EXISTING TOTAL MARKED PARKING SPACES
(BY BLOCK OR LOT)
EXISTING ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACE(S)
EXISTING BLUE CURB
EXISTING RED CURB
EXISTING FIRE HYDRANT
EXISTING GREEN CURB
EXISTING YELLOW OR WHITE CURB
EXISTING SIGN
PROPOSED TOTAL PARKING SPACES
(SAME AS EXISTING IF NOT NOTED)
INSTALL BLUE CURB
INSTALL RED CURB
RESTRIPE GREEN CURB
(FUTURE PHASE)
RESTRIPE YELLOW CURB
(FUTURE PHASE)
INSTALL OR REPLACE SIGN
X
X
X
RESTRIPE CENTERLINE WITH DETAIL 2 PER SSP A20A.
RESTRIPE PARKING SPACE MARKINGS IN EXISTING LOCATIONS.
RESTRIPE CROSSWALK WITH A 10' WIDTH AND LADDER MARKINGS.
RESTRIPE CROSSWALK WITH A 10' WIDTH AND STANDARD MARKINGS.
EXTEND RED CURB TO PARKING SPACE MARKING OR CROSSWALK.
STRIPE RED CURB AS SHOWN.
STRIPE RED CURB FROM TOP OF CURB RAMP AS SHOWN.
REPLACE OR INSTALL SHARROW.
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 REMOVE EXISTING SIGN ASSEMBLY.
INSTALL BLUE CURB AS SHOWN AND STRIPE ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACE.
INSTALL R99C CA SIGN ON NEW SIGN POST.
INSTALL R99C CA AND R7-8B SIGNS ON NEW SIGN POST.
INSTALL BLUE REFLECTIVE PAVEMENT MARKER AT FIRE HYDRANT.
INSTALL R9-3a SIGN ON NEW SIGN POST.
INSTALL DETAIL 39 PER SSP A20D.
INSTALL DETAIL 39A PER SSP A20D.
ADDITIONAL CONSTRUCTION NOTES (SEE TEXT CALLOUTS BELOW). 9 101112131415 8
16X
DATE: PROJECT TITLE:
SHEET TITLE:
SHEET NO.
DESIGNED BY:
DATE:
APPROVED BY:
PLAN FILE NO. / LOCATION
(805) 316-0101
PROJECT NUMBER:
PROJECT ENGINEER STAMP
DATE:
CHECKED BY:
DATE:
EMBARCADERO RD SIGN AND STRIPING PLAN - HARBOR ST TO PACIFIC ST
NOT TO SCALE
3 of 7 P_247 April 2025 M. Matson EMBARCADERO RD SIGN AND STRIPING PLAN HARBOR ST TO PACIFIC ST April 2025 J. Fernandez
N MATCHLINE - SHEET 4
HARBOR
ST
MATCHLINE - SHEET 2
FRONT ST
PACIFIC ST
EMBARCADERO RD 179
62'
2 41'
69' 37' 11' 24'
88'
10'
26' 15'
8 87' 26' 61'
43'
10 min loading
and unloading
sign
14' 9' 7'
10 38'
18' yellow/ white
curb, 2 loading
spaces
9'X20'
24' 14 65 1
4 10.5'X18'
Stop sign (R1-1)
One-way (R6-1)
and custom do
not enter signs
Sharrow
10'9'
185' 29'
Sharrow Stop sign
(R1-1)
20 min
parking
sign
105' 91'
9 70'
52'
1 loading
space 9.5'X19' 8.5'X19' 2
12 Custom parking sign
24'
6'
Custom
accessible
parking, van
accessible
sign
Custom 3 hour
parking sign
Custom hotel
loading and
unloading sign
Custom public parking and
no parking 2-6am sign
4 accessible parking pairs sharing van loading
space, 250 minimum signs (R99C CA)
9' 25'
15'
Sharrow 21'
10.5'X18'
10.5'X18'
10.5'X18'
14'
15'
20'
yellow/
white
curb
1 CITY OF MORRO BAY
PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT
10 24'
April 28, 2025 8
8 8
8 2
7 1 1
7' 6
0 20'
Remove parking space
within intersection. 8
9 10
Remove parking space
within intersection.
24' 6
2 2 20'
Remove the 2 eastern parking spaces and
restripe remainder in existing location. 2
3 3
3 7
2 6' 2 2
75' white curb, 2 vehicle, 1 golf cart
, and 2 motorcycle parking spaces Stripe 2 18' parking spaces. 6 9 12 5 77' to top of ramp
Stripe 8 (9' X 18') parking spaces
starting from existing western curb. 9
Restripe loading zone in existing location, remove
one accessible parking space, and relocate 1 (9'X18')
accessible parking space between utility vaults.
9' 20'
7 10 11
MATCHLINE
- SHEET 7 MATCHLINE - SHEET 7 LEGEND
CONSTRUCTION NOTES
EXISTING TOTAL MARKED PARKING SPACES
(BY BLOCK OR LOT)
EXISTING ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACE(S)
EXISTING BLUE CURB
EXISTING RED CURB
EXISTING FIRE HYDRANT
EXISTING GREEN CURB
EXISTING YELLOW OR WHITE CURB
EXISTING SIGN
PROPOSED TOTAL PARKING SPACES
(SAME AS EXISTING IF NOT NOTED)
INSTALL BLUE CURB
INSTALL RED CURB
RESTRIPE GREEN CURB
(FUTURE PHASE)
RESTRIPE YELLOW CURB
(FUTURE PHASE)
INSTALL OR REPLACE SIGN
X
X
X
RESTRIPE CENTERLINE WITH DETAIL 2 PER SSP A20A.
RESTRIPE PARKING SPACE MARKINGS IN EXISTING LOCATIONS.
RESTRIPE CROSSWALK WITH A 10' WIDTH AND LADDER MARKINGS.
RESTRIPE CROSSWALK WITH A 10' WIDTH AND STANDARD MARKINGS.
EXTEND RED CURB TO PARKING SPACE MARKING OR CROSSWALK.
STRIPE RED CURB AS SHOWN.
STRIPE RED CURB FROM TOP OF CURB RAMP AS SHOWN.
REPLACE OR INSTALL SHARROW.
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 REMOVE EXISTING SIGN ASSEMBLY.
INSTALL BLUE CURB AS SHOWN AND STRIPE ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACE.
INSTALL R99C CA SIGN ON NEW SIGN POST.
INSTALL R99C CA AND R7-8B SIGNS ON NEW SIGN POST.
INSTALL BLUE REFLECTIVE PAVEMENT MARKER AT FIRE HYDRANT.
INSTALL R9-3a SIGN ON NEW SIGN POST.
INSTALL DETAIL 39 PER SSP A20D.
INSTALL DETAIL 39A PER SSP A20D.
ADDITIONAL CONSTRUCTION NOTES (SEE TEXT CALLOUTS BELOW). 9 101112131415 8
16X
DATE: PROJECT TITLE:
SHEET TITLE:
SHEET NO.
DESIGNED BY:
DATE:
APPROVED BY:
PLAN FILE NO. / LOCATION
(805) 316-0101
PROJECT NUMBER:
PROJECT ENGINEER STAMP
DATE:
CHECKED BY:
DATE:
EMBARCADERO RD SIGN AND STRIPING PLAN - PACIFIC ST TO DRIFTWOOD ST
NOT TO SCALE
4 of 7 P_247 April 2025 M. Matson EMBARCADERO RD SIGN AND STRIPING PLAN PACIFIC ST TO DRIFTWOOD ST April 2025 J. Fernandez
N MATCHLINE - SHEET 5 MATCHLINE - SHEET 3 PACIFIC ST
EMBARCADERO RD
MARINA ST
DRIFTWOOD ST
67'
268'
11'
13 70' 74' 15' Stop sign (R1-1) Sharrow
Custom
accessible parking
van accessible
sign
9 11'X17' 43' 47'
31'
Sharrow 23'
29' 22'
60'
59'
1 12 4'
14' 23'
9'
38'
27' 8
22'
22 91'
26'
21' 11'
Custom public
parking sign
Custom 3
hour
parking
sign
Custom
do not
block
driveway
sign
8 Sharrow 7' 16' 20' 32' CITY OF MORRO BAY EMBARCADERO ROAD PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT 9 April 28, 2025 8
8 8
13 263' parking 27' 3
12 Restripe 12 parking spaces
(20' end spaces, ~23' interior). 8
2 2
Restripe 2 20'
parking spaces.
20' 7
7 9 12 2
2 8
Restripe 4 parking spaces
(20' end spaces, ~25' interior).
Restripe 3 parking spaces
(18' end spaces, ~23' interior). 19 6
1 1
Stripe 3 (9' X 18') parking spaces on both
sides starting from western curb. 27' 7
27' 18'
2 2
Restripe 2 9'x18'
parking spaces.
10 7 20'
Stripe 3 (9' X 18') parking spaces starting
Stripe 6 (9'X18') parking spaces (5
from existing western parking space.
general and one van accessible) in
existing location. 8
7 7
7 2
13 13 6
8 LEGENDCONSTRUCTION NOTES
EXISTING TOTAL MARKED PARKING SPACES
(BY BLOCK OR LOT)
EXISTING ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACE(S)
EXISTING BLUE CURB
EXISTING RED CURB
EXISTING FIRE HYDRANT
EXISTING GREEN CURB
EXISTING YELLOW OR WHITE CURB
EXISTING SIGN
PROPOSED TOTAL PARKING SPACES
(SAME AS EXISTING IF NOT NOTED)
INSTALL BLUE CURB
INSTALL RED CURB
RESTRIPE GREEN CURB
(FUTURE PHASE)
RESTRIPE YELLOW CURB
(FUTURE PHASE)
INSTALL OR REPLACE SIGN
X
X
X
RESTRIPE CENTERLINE WITH DETAIL 2 PER SSP A20A.
RESTRIPE PARKING SPACE MARKINGS IN EXISTING LOCATIONS.
RESTRIPE CROSSWALK WITH A 10' WIDTH AND LADDER MARKINGS.
RESTRIPE CROSSWALK WITH A 10' WIDTH AND STANDARD MARKINGS.
EXTEND RED CURB TO PARKING SPACE MARKING OR CROSSWALK.
STRIPE RED CURB AS SHOWN.
STRIPE RED CURB FROM TOP OF CURB RAMP AS SHOWN.
REPLACE OR INSTALL SHARROW.
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 REMOVE EXISTING SIGN ASSEMBLY.
INSTALL BLUE CURB AS SHOWN AND STRIPE ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACE.
INSTALL R99C CA SIGN ON NEW SIGN POST.
INSTALL R99C CA AND R7-8B SIGNS ON NEW SIGN POST.
INSTALL BLUE REFLECTIVE PAVEMENT MARKER AT FIRE HYDRANT.
INSTALL R9-3a SIGN ON NEW SIGN POST.
INSTALL DETAIL 39 PER SSP A20D.
INSTALL DETAIL 39A PER SSP A20D.
ADDITIONAL CONSTRUCTION NOTES (SEE TEXT CALLOUTS BELOW). 9 101112131415 8
16X
DATE: PROJECT TITLE:
SHEET TITLE:
SHEET NO.
DESIGNED BY:
DATE:
APPROVED BY:
PLAN FILE NO. / LOCATION
(805) 316-0101
PROJECT NUMBER:
PROJECT ENGINEER STAMP
DATE:
CHECKED BY:
DATE:
EMBARCADERO RD SIGN AND STRIPING PLAN - DRIFTWOOD ST TO TIDELANDS PARK
NOT TO SCALE
5 of 7 P_247 April 2025 M. Matson CITY OF MORRO BAY EMBARCADERO ROAD PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT EMBARCADERO RD SIGN AND STRIPING PLAN DRIFTWOOD ST TO TIDELANDS PARK April 2025 J. Fernandez
N MATCHLINE - SHEET 6 MATCHLINE - SHEET 4
EMBARCADERO RD DRIFTWOOD ST
Sharrow Sharrow
45' white curb
Large driveway apron and gate
with private no parking signs
60' 90' 87' 70' 65'
3' 3'
Sharrow
Custom
parking sign
39'
7' 6'
69'
26'
95' 133' 14' 11' 15 17 9'X18' no signs
Striping faded, shipping
containers parked in
some spaces
22 1
Custom do not
block driveway
sign
28' Faded van aisle markings
END OF
PAVING
Additional
unmarked
parking
16 Remove existing parking space in front of gate.
Restripe remainder of spaces in existing location.
Unmarked
parking Driveway apron
Restripe 6 parking spaces
(20' end spaces, ~23' interior).
25 MPH sign
(R2-1[25])
April 28, 2025 8
8 8
8 13 1
2 2
2 2
13 8
11 Install sign adjacent to and
south of parking block in
accessible loading aisle. LEGEND
CONSTRUCTION NOTES
EXISTING TOTAL MARKED PARKING SPACES
(BY BLOCK OR LOT)
EXISTING ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACE(S)
EXISTING BLUE CURB
EXISTING RED CURB
EXISTING FIRE HYDRANT
EXISTING GREEN CURB
EXISTING YELLOW OR WHITE CURB
EXISTING SIGN
PROPOSED TOTAL PARKING SPACES
(SAME AS EXISTING IF NOT NOTED)
INSTALL BLUE CURB
INSTALL RED CURB
RESTRIPE GREEN CURB
(FUTURE PHASE)
RESTRIPE YELLOW CURB
(FUTURE PHASE)
INSTALL OR REPLACE SIGN
X
X
X
RESTRIPE CENTERLINE WITH DETAIL 2 PER SSP A20A.
RESTRIPE PARKING SPACE MARKINGS IN EXISTING LOCATIONS.
RESTRIPE CROSSWALK WITH A 10' WIDTH AND LADDER MARKINGS.
RESTRIPE CROSSWALK WITH A 10' WIDTH AND STANDARD MARKINGS.
EXTEND RED CURB TO PARKING SPACE MARKING OR CROSSWALK.
STRIPE RED CURB AS SHOWN.
STRIPE RED CURB FROM TOP OF CURB RAMP AS SHOWN.
REPLACE OR INSTALL SHARROW.
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 REMOVE EXISTING SIGN ASSEMBLY.
INSTALL BLUE CURB AS SHOWN AND STRIPE ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACE.
INSTALL R99C CA SIGN ON NEW SIGN POST.
INSTALL R99C CA AND R7-8B SIGNS ON NEW SIGN POST.
INSTALL BLUE REFLECTIVE PAVEMENT MARKER AT FIRE HYDRANT.
INSTALL R9-3a SIGN ON NEW SIGN POST.
INSTALL DETAIL 39 PER SSP A20D.
INSTALL DETAIL 39A PER SSP A20D.
ADDITIONAL CONSTRUCTION NOTES (SEE TEXT CALLOUTS BELOW). 9 101112131415 8
16X
1110 20'
Stripe 20' disabled,
22' interior, and 18'
end parking space.
DATE: PROJECT TITLE:
SHEET TITLE:
SHEET NO.
DESIGNED BY:
DATE:
APPROVED BY:
PLAN FILE NO. / LOCATION
(805) 316-0101
PROJECT NUMBER:
PROJECT ENGINEER STAMP
DATE:
CHECKED BY:
DATE:
EMBARCADERO RD SIGN AND STRIPING PLAN - TIDELANDS PARK TO LAUNCH RAMP PARKING LOT
NOT TO SCALE
6 of 7 P_247 April 2025 M. Matson EMBARCADERO RD SIGN AND STRIPING PLAN TIDELANDS PARK TO LAUNCH RAMP PARKING LOT April 2025 J. Fernandez
N MATCHLINE - SHEET 5
EMBARCADERO RD
TIDELANDS
PARK
Do not enter
sign (R5-1)
Public
parking
sign
5 25 1
4 custom fee signs for yellow
marked truck trailer stalls
Accessible
parking sign
(R99C CA)
6 1
Sharrow
Sharrow
9'
25 MPH and bike lane
sign (R2-1[25] & R7-9A)
5 no parking signs (R26 CA)
Custom notice
of disabled
parking sign
Accessible
parking sign
(R99C CA) 9'X21' 10.5'X25'
Bike lane
sign (R7-9A) CITY OF MORRO BAY EMBARCADERO ROAD PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT Bike lane
sign (R7-9A)
Bike lane
sign (R7-9A)
Bike lane
sign (R7-9A)
April 28, 2025 13 LEGEND
CONSTRUCTION NOTES
EXISTING TOTAL MARKED PARKING SPACES
(BY BLOCK OR LOT)
EXISTING ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACE(S)
EXISTING BLUE CURB
EXISTING RED CURB
EXISTING FIRE HYDRANT
EXISTING GREEN CURB
EXISTING YELLOW OR WHITE CURB
EXISTING SIGN
PROPOSED TOTAL PARKING SPACES
(SAME AS EXISTING IF NOT NOTED)
INSTALL BLUE CURB
INSTALL RED CURB
RESTRIPE GREEN CURB
(FUTURE PHASE)
RESTRIPE YELLOW CURB
(FUTURE PHASE)
INSTALL OR REPLACE SIGN
X
X
X
RESTRIPE CENTERLINE WITH DETAIL 2 PER SSP A20A.
RESTRIPE PARKING SPACE MARKINGS IN EXISTING LOCATIONS.
RESTRIPE CROSSWALK WITH A 10' WIDTH AND LADDER MARKINGS.
RESTRIPE CROSSWALK WITH A 10' WIDTH AND STANDARD MARKINGS.
EXTEND RED CURB TO PARKING SPACE MARKING OR CROSSWALK.
STRIPE RED CURB AS SHOWN.
STRIPE RED CURB FROM TOP OF CURB RAMP AS SHOWN.
REPLACE OR INSTALL SHARROW.
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 REMOVE EXISTING SIGN ASSEMBLY.
INSTALL BLUE CURB AS SHOWN AND STRIPE ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACE.
INSTALL R99C CA SIGN ON NEW SIGN POST.
INSTALL R99C CA AND R7-8B SIGNS ON NEW SIGN POST.
INSTALL BLUE REFLECTIVE PAVEMENT MARKER AT FIRE HYDRANT.
INSTALL R9-3a SIGN ON NEW SIGN POST.
INSTALL DETAIL 39 PER SSP A20D.
INSTALL DETAIL 39A PER SSP A20D.
ADDITIONAL CONSTRUCTION NOTES (SEE TEXT CALLOUTS BELOW). 9 101112131415 8
16X
DATE: PROJECT TITLE:
SHEET TITLE:
SHEET NO.
DESIGNED BY:
DATE:
APPROVED BY:
PLAN FILE NO. / LOCATION
(805) 316-0101
PROJECT NUMBER:
PROJECT ENGINEER STAMP
DATE:
CHECKED BY:
DATE:
PACIFIC ST SIGN AND STRIPING PLAN - EMBARCADERO RD TO MORRO AVE NOT TO SCALE 7 of 7 P_247 April 2025 M. Matson HARBOR ST, PACIFIC ST, AND AB 413 SIGN AND STRIPING PLAN April 2025 J. Fernandez N MATCHLINE - SHEET 2 CITY OF MORRO BAY EMBARCADERO ROAD PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT April 28, 2025
HARBOR ST SIGN AND
STRIPING PLAN - FRONT ST TO
MARKET AVE
NOT TO SCALE MATCHLINE - SHEET 2 N
PACIFIC ST
MARKET
AVE
MORRO AVE
MARKET AVE
FRONT ST
HARBOR ST
4 6
East of Market Ave: Replace
existing centerline and Detail
39/39A. Install additional Detail
39/39A where existing parking
tees are located. Install 20' of red
curb as needed per AB 413 Detail.
167'
East of Morro Ave: Replace
existing striping. Install 20' of red
curb in advance of intersections
per AB 413 Detail.
Restripe 6
parking spaces
(20' end spaces,
~25' interior).
Restripe 6
parking spaces
(20' end spaces,
~24' interior).
20'
7 155'
4 8
0 2 0
Embarcadero Rd to Market Ave:
Restripe marked parking
spaces, install westbound Class
II bike lane, relocate centerline
~2-3' south of existing location
to accommodate 5' bike lane.
Market Ave to Morro Ave: Install 5'
Class II bike lanes. Remove 2
existing marked parking spaces
(note that parking is still allowed) LEGEND
CONSTRUCTION NOTES
EXISTING TOTAL MARKED PARKING SPACES
(BY BLOCK OR LOT)
EXISTING ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACE(S)
EXISTING BLUE CURB
EXISTING RED CURB
EXISTING FIRE HYDRANT
EXISTING GREEN CURB
EXISTING YELLOW OR WHITE CURB
EXISTING SIGN
PROPOSED TOTAL PARKING SPACES
(SAME AS EXISTING IF NOT NOTED)
INSTALL BLUE CURB
INSTALL RED CURB
RESTRIPE GREEN CURB
(FUTURE PHASE)
RESTRIPE YELLOW CURB
(FUTURE PHASE)
INSTALL OR REPLACE SIGN
X
X
X
RESTRIPE CENTERLINE WITH DETAIL 2 PER SSP A20A.
RESTRIPE PARKING SPACE MARKINGS IN EXISTING LOCATIONS.
RESTRIPE CROSSWALK WITH A 10' WIDTH AND LADDER MARKINGS.
RESTRIPE CROSSWALK WITH A 10' WIDTH AND STANDARD MARKINGS.
EXTEND RED CURB TO PARKING SPACE MARKING OR CROSSWALK.
STRIPE RED CURB AS SHOWN.
STRIPE RED CURB FROM TOP OF CURB RAMP AS SHOWN.
REPLACE OR INSTALL SHARROW.
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 REMOVE EXISTING SIGN ASSEMBLY.
INSTALL BLUE CURB AS SHOWN AND STRIPE ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACE.
INSTALL R99C CA SIGN ON NEW SIGN POST.
INSTALL R99C CA AND R7-8B SIGNS ON NEW SIGN POST.
INSTALL BLUE REFLECTIVE PAVEMENT MARKER AT FIRE HYDRANT.
INSTALL R9-3a SIGN ON NEW SIGN POST.
INSTALL DETAIL 39 PER SSP A20D.
INSTALL DETAIL 39A PER SSP A20D.
ADDITIONAL CONSTRUCTION NOTES (SEE TEXT CALLOUTS BELOW). 9 101112131415 8
16X
7 7
20' 20'
7'
7 7 20'
15'
25'
New curb by
development
6 13 21' 9' 7
13'
7' 6
0 2
2 8
7' 14 14 7
20' 7
7 5
ASSEMBLY BILL (AB) 413 DETAIL
NOT TO SCALE
20' 20'
AB 413 (CVC 22500): A person
shall not stop, park, or leave
standing any vehicle within 20' feet
of a marked or unmarked crosswalk
(or 15' with a curb extension) on the
approach side of the road. 20'
Install 20' of red
curb in advance
of crosswalk
when present
Install 20' of red curb
in advance of top of
curb ramp/beginning
of curve when no
crosswalk is present
Install no parking
signs when no
curb is present 13 1
16 1
16 15 15
Prepared By: __GK Dept Review: GK
City Manager Review: JCC City Attorney Review: __BS___
Staff Report
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council DATE: January 22, 2026 FROM: Greg Kwolek, Public Works Director
SUBJECT: Approval of License Agreement between the City of Morro Bay and PG&E for Continued Access and Use of PG&E Property for the Morro Bay Bike Park
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Authorize the City Manager to execute a new License Agreement with PG&E allowing continued access and use of PG&E property for the existing Morro Bay Bike Park located on Little Morro Creek Road subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.
ALTERNATIVES
The Council could decide not to approve the license agreement. This would effectively end use of the Morro Bay Bike Park.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact as a result of this action. The current MOU with Central Coast Concerned Mountain Bikers (CCCMB) places the responsibility of PG&E fees on CCCMB through reimbursement to the City; however, if that group defaults on its agreement, then the City would be responsible for the fee, which begins at $550 in year one and increases $50 annually to year five.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with CCCMB on January 13, 2015, for the construction, maintenance and repair of a Bike Park. A license agreement with PG&E is required for the park because the parking area of the park falls on PG&E property. The City has historically held this license agreement with PG&E due to PG&E insurance requirements.
The first license agreement, initiated in 2015, had a five-year term and required the City to pay a $500 fee annually, which CCCMB reimbursed. The second agreement, executed in 2020, had the same term and fee; however, PG&E never billed the City until the final year when the City received a bill for the full 5-year $2,500 amount. After negotiation, PG&E agreed to waive this cost. This agreement expired in August of 2025.
AGENDA NO: 6.i
MEETING DATE: January 27, 2026
01181.0001/270784.1
PG&E had also indicated that they would seek an increase in fee for the 5-year agreement starting in 2025, with $600 in the first year and increases of $100 per year thereafter during the term of the agreement. Staff negotiated this increase to $550 in the first year with increases of $50 per year during the term of the agreement. This agreement is provided as Attachment 1 to this report.
ATTACHMENT
1. PG&E License Agreement 2025 – 2030
Parking License (Rev. 4/2025) 2229-10-10018
1 LICENSE AGREEMENT
FOR PARKING USE
This License Agreement for Parking Use (this “License Agreement”) is made and entered into this 1st day of September 2025 (the “Effective Date”) by PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY, a California corporation, hereinafter called “PG&E”, and CITY OF MORRO BAY, hereinafter called “Licensee.”
R E C I T A L S:
A. PG&E owns the real property commonly known as Morro Bay Fee Strip, Assessor’s Parcel Number 068-183-022, State Board of Equalization No.135-40-006A, Parcel 1 hereinafter called the “Property”, located in the City of San Luis Obispo, County of San Luis Obispo, State of California.
B. PG&E and Licensee previously entered into a license dated November 10, 2020, for the use of the Property. The current license is set to expire on August 31, 2025, and Licensee wishes to continue the use. Licensee has requested that the Term of the License be extended to August 31, 2030, and PG&E is willing to extend the Term subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.
C. In conjunction with a Bike Park on the City of Morro Bay’s property adjacent to the Property, Licensee wishes to continue to use a portion of the Property for parking as shown on EXHIBIT “A” attached hereto and by this reference made a part hereof (the “License Area”).
D. Licensee has requested permission for Licensee to enter the License Area for parking on the License Area as more fully described in this License Agreement, and PG&E is willing to grant such permission subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, PG&E and Licensee hereby agree as follows:
1. Temporary Parking Use. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this License Agreement, PG&E grants to Licensee a temporary, personal, non-exclusive and nonpossessory right and license to enter, and for Licensee to allow Licensee’s directors, officers, partners, members, managers, employees, contractors, subcontractors, consultants, representatives, agents, permittees and invitees (“Licensee’s Representatives”) to enter, at reasonable times, the License Area for the sole purpose of the parking of up to six (6) personal passenger automobiles, one (1) porta potty and one (1) small storage shed and for no other purpose whatsoever, hereinafter referred to as “Licensee’s Activities”. Licensee shall not use the License Area for parking of trucks of a load weight of more than ten thousand (10,000) pounds gross vehicle weight, construction vehicle parking, house trailers or vehicle maintenance of any kind, nor shall the Property be used to transport or store materials, including, without limitation, any Hazardous
Parking License (Rev. 4/2025) 2229-10-10018
2 Substances, as defined in Section 5(b) below. Licensee shall not use or permit the use of the License Area in any manner that would tend to create waste or a nuisance. All of Licensee’s Activities shall be performed at Licensee’s sole cost and expense. This License Agreement gives Licensee a license only and does not constitute a grant by PG&E of any ownership, leasehold, easement or other similar property interest or estate.
2. Term; Termination; Surrender. This License Agreement shall be for a term of five (5) years commencing on September 1, 2025, and expiring August 31, 2030, unless sooner terminated (the "Term"). Provided, however, that PG&E may terminate this License Agreement, at any time, for any reason or no reason, including, without limitation, pursuant to the provisions of General Order No. 69-C of the California Public Utilities Commission (the “CPUC”), upon twenty-four (24) hours written notice to Licensee. Upon the expiration or termination of this License Agreement, Licensee shall remove all vehicles and personal property of Licensee and Licensee's Representatives, remove all debris and waste material resulting from Licensee’s Activities, and repair and restore the Property as nearly as possible to the condition that existed prior to Licensee's entry hereunder to PG&E's satisfaction. Licensee shall bear the entire cost of such removal, repair and restoration, and PG&E shall have no liability for any losses or damages caused by or related to any termination of this License Agreement. In the event Licensee fails to comply with the requirements of this Section, PG&E may elect, at Licensee’s expense, to remove such vehicles, personal property, debris and waste material and to perform such repair or restoration as necessary. Licensee shall pay such costs and expenses within ten (10) days after receipt of an invoice therefor. Licensee's obligations under this Section shall survive the expiration or termination of this License Agreement.
3. Fees. Licensee has previously paid to PG&E its standard administrative fee of One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00). Licensee shall pay PG&E at the address set forth herein, or at such other place as PG&E shall designate the sum of Five Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($550) annual fee, payable in advance, the first payment to be made concurrently with the execution of this License Agreement, and thereafter on or before the period date set forth below.
This License Agreement shall not become effective until the license fee has been received.
Period Annual Fee
From 09/01/2025 to 08/31/2026 $550
From 09/01/2026 to 08/31/2027 $600
From 09/01/2027 to 08/31/2028 $650
From 09/01/2028 to 08/31/2029 $700
From 09/01/2029 to 08/31/2030 $750
4. Work Plan. Licensee shall discuss with PG&E any specific requirements for Licensee's Activities on the Property, and shall prepare a work plan that incorporates such requirements and that describes in detail and with specificity the nature, scope, location and purpose of all of Licensee’s Activities to be performed on the Property and shall also include a map of the parking layout, specifications and locations for temporary parking signs, and a description of the method of marking parking and no-parking areas (the “Work Plan”). . The Work Plan will be submitted to the following person at PG&E for approval James Cendro, 800 Price Canyon Road, Pismo Beach, CA 93449, 805-703-3623. PG&E reserves the right to
Parking License (Rev. 4/2025) 2229-10-10018
3 request Licensee to provide additional information, reports, studies or other documents not included in the Work Plan. Licensee acknowledges and agrees that PG&E’s review of the Work Plan is solely for the purpose of protecting PG&E’s interests, and shall not be deemed to create any liability of any kind on the part of PG&E, or to constitute a representation on the part of PG&E or any person consulted by PG&E in connection with such review that the Work Plan is adequate or appropriate for any purpose, or complies with applicable Legal Requirements, as defined herein.
Licensee and Licensee’s Representatives shall not enter the Property nor commence any activity whatsoever on the Property without the prior written consent of PG&E to the Work Plan as set forth above, which consent shall be in PG&E’s sole and absolute discretion. Licensee agrees and covenants that all of Licensee's Activities shall be performed solely within the License Area and in strict accordance with the approved Work Plan.
5. Condition of the Property. Licensee accepts the Property "as is", in its existing physical condition, without warranty by PG&E or any duty or obligation on the part of PG&E to maintain the Property. Licensee acknowledges that one or more of the following (collectively, “Potential Environmental Hazards”) may be located in, on or underlying the Property:
(a) electric and magnetic fields, electromagnetic fields, power frequency fields and extremely low frequency fields, however designated, whether emitted by electric transmission lines, other electrical distribution equipment or by any other means (“EMFs”); (b) Hazardous Substances (as hereinafter defined). For purposes hereof, the term “Hazardous Substances” means any hazardous or toxic material or waste which is or becomes regulated by Legal Requirements, as defined herein, relating to the protection of human health or the environment, including, but not limited to, laws, requirements and regulations pertaining to reporting, licensing, permitting, investigating and remediating emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of such substances into the air, surface water, or land, or relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of such substances. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term Hazardous Substances includes any material or substance:
(1) now or hereafter defined as a "hazardous substance," "hazardous waste," "hazardous material," "extremely hazardous waste," "restricted hazardous waste" or "toxic substance" or words of similar import under any applicable local, state or federal law or under the regulations adopted or promulgated pursuant thereto, including, without limitation, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, 42 U.S.C. §§9601 et seq. ("CERCLA"); the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, 42 U.S.C. §§6901 et seq.; the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. §§7401 et seq.; the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. §§1251 et seq.; the Toxic Substance Control Act, 15 U.S.C. §§2601 et seq.; the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, 7 U.S.C. §§136 et seq.; the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, 42 U.S.C. §§2014 et seq.; the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, 42 U.S.C. §§10101 et seq.; the California Hazardous Waste Control Law, Cal. Health and Safety Code §§25100 et seq.; the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, Cal. Water Code §§13000 et seq.; the CarpenterPresley-Tanner Hazardous Substance Account Act (Health and Safety Code §§25300 et seq.); and the Medical Waste Management Act (Health and Safety Code §§25015 et seq.); or
Parking License (Rev. 4/2025) 2229-10-10018
4 (2) which is toxic, explosive, corrosive, flammable, infectious, radioactive, carcinogenic, mutagenic or otherwise hazardous, and is now or hereafter regulated as a Hazardous Substance by the United States, the State of California, any local governmental authority or any political subdivision thereof; or
(3) the presence of which on the Property poses or threatens to pose a hazard to the health or safety of persons on or about the Property or to the environment; or (4) which contains gasoline, diesel fuel or other petroleum hydrocarbons; or
(5) which contains lead-based paint or other lead contamination, polychlorinated biphenyls ("PCBs") or asbestos or asbestos-containing materials or urea formaldehyde foam insulation; or
(6) which contains radon gas;
(c) fuel or chemical storage tanks, energized electrical conductors or equipment, or natural gas transmission or distribution pipelines; and (d) other potentially hazardous substances, materials, products or conditions.
Licensee shall take all necessary precautions to protect Licensee’s Representatives from risks of harm from Potential Environmental Hazards, and Licensee shall be responsible for the health and safety of Licensee's Representatives. Licensee acknowledges that it has previously evaluated the condition of the Property and all matters affecting the suitability of the Property for the uses permitted by this License Agreement, including, but not limited to, the Potential Environmental Hazards listed herein.
6. Licensee’s Covenants.
(a) Legal Compliance. Licensee agrees, at Licensee's sole cost and expense, promptly to comply, and cause all of Licensee’s Representatives to comply, with (i) all laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations, requirements or orders of municipal, state, and federal authorities now in force or that may later be in force, including, but not limited to, those laws which relate to the generation, use, storage, handling, treatment, transportation or disposal of Hazardous Substances or to health, safety, noise, environmental protection, air quality or water quality, (ii) the conditions of any permit, occupancy certificate, license or other approval issued by public officers relating to Licensee’s Activities or Licensee’s use or occupancy of the Property; and (iii) any liens, encumbrances, easements, covenants, conditions, restrictions and servitudes (if any) of record, or of which Licensee has notice, which may be applicable to the Property (collectively, “Legal Requirements”) regardless of when they become effective, insofar as they relate to Licensee’s Activities or the use or occupancy of the Property by Licensee. The judgment of any court of competent jurisdiction, or the admission of Licensee in any action or proceeding against Licensee, whether or not PG&E is a party in such action or proceeding, that Licensee has violated any Legal Requirement relating to the use or occupancy of the Property, shall be conclusive of that fact as between PG&E and Licensee. Licensee shall furnish satisfactory evidence of such compliance upon request by PG&E.
Parking License (Rev. 4/2025) 2229-10-10018
5 (b) Notification of Investigations, Orders or Enforcement Proceedings.
Licensee agrees to notify PG&E in writing within three (3) business days after obtaining knowledge of any investigation, order or enforcement proceeding that in any way relates to the Property, or to the occurrence of any contamination or suspected contamination on, within or underlying the Property. Such notice shall include a complete copy of any order, complaint, agreement, or other document that may have been issued, executed or proposed, whether draft or final.
(c) Use of Property. Licensee agrees that Licensee shall not in any way interfere or permit any interference with the use of the Property by PG&E. Interference shall include, but not be limited to, any activity by Licensee that places any of PG&E's gas or electric facilities in violation of any of the applicable provisions of General Order Nos. 95 (Overhead Electric), 112 (Gas), and 128 (Underground Electric) of the CPUC or of any other applicable provisions of the laws and regulations of the State of California or other governmental agencies under which the operations of utility facilities are controlled or regulated, including, without limitation, the CPUC or the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC"). Licensee shall not erect, handle, or operate any tools, machinery, apparatus, equipment, or materials closer to any of PG&E's high-voltage electric conductors than the minimum clearances set forth in the HighVoltage Electrical Safety Orders of the California Division of Industrial Safety, which minimum clearances are incorporated herein by reference, but even if such orders allow it, under no circumstances closer than ten (10) feet from any energized electric conductors or appliances.
Licensee shall not drill, bore, or excavate under any circumstances. (d) Licensee’s Activities. Licensee agrees that Licensee and Licensee's Representatives shall notify PG&E, as part of the Work Plan, of any potential safety, environmental or other hazards to PG&E employees or property arising out of, or associated with, Licensee's Activities or stemming from conditions caused by Licensee, so that PG&E may take appropriate precautions. Licensee agrees that Licensee shall conduct Licensee’s Activities in compliance with the Work Plan approved by PG&E and in such a manner so as to protect the Property, PG&E’s utility facilities, the environment, and human health and safety. Licensee shall not make use of the Property in any way which will endanger human health or the environment, create a nuisance or otherwise be incompatible with the use of the Property by PG&E or others entitled to use the Property. Licensee shall post signs, as approved by PG&E as part of the Work Plan, at the entrance(s) to the License Area indicating that parking is temporary and limited to the types of vehicles authorized by this License Agreement and prohibiting trucks of a load weight of more than ten thousand (10,000) pounds gross vehicle weight. Licensee shall not cause or permit any Hazardous Substances, as defined herein, to be brought upon, produced, stored, used, discharged or disposed of on, or in the vicinity of, the Property, except for the fuel held within the tanks of vehicles parked on the License Area. Licensee agrees to be responsible for the clean up and remediation of any releases of Hazardous Substances resulting from Licensee's Activities, or any activity by Licensee or Licensee’s Representatives, and shall immediately report the details of any such releases to PG&E and to the appropriate regulatory agencies as required by any and all applicable Legal Requirements. In the event PG&E determines that Licensee’s Activities in any way endanger the Property, PG&E's utility facilities, the environment, or human health or safety, PG&E may, in PG&E’s sole and absolute discretion, require that Licensee halt Licensee’s Activities until appropriate protective measures may be taken to eliminate such endangerment to PG&E's satisfaction. Licensee waives any claims against PG&E resulting from any delay under
Parking License (Rev. 4/2025) 2229-10-10018
6 this Section. PG&E's right to halt activities under this Section shall not in any way affect or alter Licensee’s insurance or indemnity obligations under this License Agreement, nor shall it relieve Licensee from any of Licensee's obligations hereunder that pertain to health, safety, or the protection of the environment.
(e) Non-Interference. Licensee agrees to coordinate Licensee’s Activities to strictly avoid any interference with PG&E’s use of the Property and any adjoining lands owned by PG&E.
(f) Site Security. Licensee agrees that Licensee and Licensee’s Representatives shall comply with any and all of PG&E’s on-site safety and security requirements and any other rules and regulations that may be applicable to Licensee’s Activities at the Property. Licensee agrees to cooperate with PG&E and to abide by any and all orders or instructions issued by PG&E, its employees, agents or representatives. PG&E reserves the right to restrict access to the Property in the event of fire, earthquake, storm, riot, civil disturbance, or other casualty or emergency, or in connection with PG&E's response thereto, or if emergency repairs or maintenance are required to PG&E’s facilities, wherever located, or otherwise when PG&E deems it advisable to do so, including in connection with events and emergencies occurring or affecting PG&E's business operations located elsewhere than in the immediate vicinity of the Property.
7. Indemnification; Release.
(a) Licensee shall, to the maximum extent permitted by law, indemnify, protect, defend and hold harmless PG&E, its parent corporation, subsidiaries, affiliates, and their officers, managers, directors, representatives, agents, employees, transferees, successors and assigns (each, an “Indemnitee” and collectively, “Indemnitees”) from and against all claims, losses (including, but not limited to, diminution in value), actions, demands, damages, costs, expenses (including, but not limited to, experts fees and reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs) and liabilities of whatever kind or nature (collectively, “Claims”), including Claims arising from the passive or active negligence of the Indemnitees, which arise from or are in any way connected with Licensee’s Activities, or the entry on, occupancy or use of, the Property by Licensee or Licensee’s Representatives, or the exercise by Licensee of Licensee's rights hereunder, or the performance of, or failure to perform, Licensee’s duties under this License Agreement, including, but not limited to, Claims arising out of: (i) injury to or death of persons, including, but not limited to, employees of PG&E or Licensee (and including, but not limited to, injury due to exposure to EMFs and other Potential Environmental Hazards in, on or about the Property); (ii) injury to property or other interest of PG&E, Licensee or any third party; (iii) violation of any applicable federal, state, or local laws, statutes, regulations, or ordinances, including all Legal Requirements relating to the environment and including any liability imposed by law or regulation without regard to fault.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Licensee shall, to the maximum extent permitted by law, indemnify, protect, defend and hold Indemnitees harmless from and against Claims arising out of or in connection with any labor performed on the Property by, or at the request or for the benefit of, Licensee. In the event any action or proceeding is brought against any Indemnitee for any Claim against which Licensee is obligated to indemnify or provide a defense hereunder, upon written notice from PG&E, Licensee shall defend such action or proceeding at Licensee’s sole
Parking License (Rev. 4/2025) 2229-10-10018
7 expense by counsel approved by PG&E, which approval shall be in PG&E’s sole and absolute discretion.
(b) Licensee acknowledges that all Claims arising out of or in any way connected with releases or discharges of a Hazardous Substance, or the exacerbation of a Potential Environmental Hazard, occurring as a result of or in connection with Licensee’s use or occupancy of the Property, Licensee’s Activities or the activities of any of Licensee’s Representatives, and all costs, expenses and liabilities for environmental investigations, monitoring, containment, abatement, removal, repair, cleanup, restoration, remediation and other response costs, including attorneys’ fees and disbursements and any fines and penalties imposed for the violation of any Legal Requirements relating to the environment or human health, are expressly within the scope of the indemnity set forth above. The purpose of the foregoing indemnity is to protect PG&E and the Indemnitees from expenses and obligations related to Hazardous Substances on the Property to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Licensee’s obligation to defend includes, but is not limited to, the obligation to defend claims and participate in administrative proceedings, even if they are false or fraudulent.
(c) Licensee’s use of the Property shall be at Licensee’s sole risk and expense, and Licensee accepts all risk relating to Licensee's occupancy and use of the Property. PG&E shall not be liable to Licensee for, and Licensee hereby waives and releases PG&E and the other Indemnitees from, any and all liability, whether in contract, tort or on any other basis, for any injury, damage, or loss resulting from or attributable to an occurrence on or about the Property. (d) Licensee shall, to the maximum extent permitted by law, indemnify, protect, defend and hold Indemnitees harmless against claims, losses, costs (including attorneys’ fees and costs), liabilities and damages resulting from the failure of Licensee, or any of Licensee's consultants, contractors or subcontractors, to comply with the insurance requirements set forth in EXHIBIT “B”.
(e) The provisions of this Section 7 shall survive the expiration or termination of this License Agreement.
8. Additional Activities. Licensee shall not perform any grading, paving or install any alterations, facilities or improvements in, on, under or over the License Area. Licensee shall not deposit or remove soil or gravel from or on the License Area. Licensee shall not perform any activities beyond Licensee’s Activities specifically authorized by this License Agreement without the prior written consent of PG&E, which consent shall be in PG&E’s sole and absolute discretion, and the prior consent, to the extent required by applicable Legal Requirements, of any governmental authority having jurisdiction, including, but not limited to, the CPUC or the FERC.
9. Reserved Rights. PG&E reserves the right to use the Property for any and all purposes whatsoever, including, without limitation, the right to use the Property for such purposes as it may deem necessary or appropriate if, and whenever, in the interest of its service to its patrons or consumers or the public, it shall appear necessary or desirable to do so. Licensee shall not make use of the Property in any way which will endanger human health or the environment, create a nuisance or otherwise be incompatible with the use of the Property by PG&E or others entitled to use the Property.
Parking License (Rev. 4/2025) 2229-10-10018
8 10. Compliance; Safety; Insurance. Licensee shall obtain, at Licensee’s sole cost and expense, any and all necessary permits, authorizations and approvals applicable to Licensee’s Activities and to evidence compliance with all Legal Requirements. PG&E shall have a right to observe Licensee’s Activities at any time to confirm Licensee’s compliance with the requirements of this License Agreement and applicable Legal Requirements. Licensee shall procure, carry and maintain in effect throughout the Term of this License Agreement, with respect to the License Area and the use, occupancy and activities of Licensee and Licensee's Representatives on or about the License Area, in a form and with deductibles acceptable to PG&E and with such insurance companies as are acceptable to PG&E, the insurance specified in EXHIBIT "B" and by this reference made a part hereof. All policies shall contain endorsements that the insurer shall give PG&E and its designees at least thirty (30) days advance written notice of any change, cancellation, termination, failure to renew or lapse of insurance. Upon Licensee’s execution of this License Agreement, and at any time thereafter on the renewal date of any policy, or effective date of any new policy, Licensee shall provide PG&E with evidence of the insurance coverage, or continuing coverage, as applicable, required by this License Agreement as more specifically set forth in EXHIBIT “B”. This License Agreement shall not become effective, and Licensee and Licensee’s Representatives shall not enter the Property nor commence or conduct any activity whatsoever on the Property unless and until the insurance coverage required by this License Agreement is in effect and current proof of insurance has been provided to PG&E. Licensee is also responsible for the compliance of Licensee's consultants, contractors and subcontractors with the insurance requirements, provided that Licensee may, with PG&E's written consent in PG&E’s sole and absolute discretion, permit Licensee's consultants, contractors and subcontractors to maintain coverages and limits lower than those specified, so long as the coverages and limits required by Licensee are commercially reasonable in light of applicable circumstances. Licensee's consultants, contractors and subcontractors shall not enter the Property nor commence any activity whatsoever on the Property without the insurance coverage required by this License Agreement being in effect and current proof of insurance having been provided to PG&E from each such consultant, contractor and subcontractor, respectively. The requirements of this Section and EXHIBIT "B" shall in no event limit the liability of Licensee under this License Agreement. PG&E reserves the right to review and modify from time to time the coverages and limits of coverage required hereunder, as well as the deductibles and/or self-insurance retentions in effect from time to time.
In the event that Licensee or any of Licensee's Representatives fail at any time during the Term to procure, carry or maintain, the insurance required under this Section and EXHIBIT "B", or fail to deliver such policies or certificates as required, PG&E may, at its option, terminate this License Agreement, upon written notice to Licensee, in which event Licensee shall immediately vacate the Property and comply with the provisions concerning the condition of the Property on expiration or termination set forth in Section 2 above.
11. Mechanics’ Liens. Licensee shall keep the Property free and clear of all mechanics’ liens arising, or alleged to arise, in connection with any work performed, labor or materials supplied or delivered, or similar activities performed by Licensee or at Licensee's request or for Licensee's benefit. If any mechanics’ liens are placed on the Property in connection with Licensee’s use or activities, Licensee shall diligently pursue all necessary actions to remove such liens from title, either by payment or by recording a lien release bond in the manner specified in California Civil Code Section 8424 or any successor statute. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this License Agreement, if any such lien is not released and removed within thirty (30) days, PG&E at its sole option, may immediately take all actions necessary to
Parking License (Rev. 4/2025) 2229-10-10018
9 release and remove such lien, without any duty to investigate the validity thereof, and all sums, costs and expenses, including attorneys' fees and costs, incurred by PG&E in connection with such lien shall be due and payable by Licensee within thirty (30) days after receipt of a written demand therefor, accompanied by reasonable supporting documentation.
12. Notices. Any notices hereunder shall be in writing and shall be personally delivered, or sent by first class mail, certified or registered, postage prepaid, or by national overnight courier, with charges prepaid for next business day delivery, addressed to the addressee party at the address or addresses listed below, or to such other address or addresses as such party may from time to time designate in writing. Notices shall be deemed received upon actual receipt or refusal of the notice by the party being sent the notice. Any communication hereunder shall be in writing and can be personally delivered as described above or by email transmission.
If to PG&E by standard U.S. mail or by registered or certified mail or personal delivery or overnight courier, return receipt requested:
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Land Management
300 Lakeside Drive, Suite 210
Oakland, CA 94612
Attn: Land Rights Library
With a copy to:
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Law Department
P.O. Box 1018
Oakland, CA 94612-9991
Attn: Managing Counsel, Law Regulatory
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Land Management
8 East River Park Place West
Fresno, CA 93720
Attn: Land Agent – Alison Contreras
If to Licensee:
City of Morro Bay
595 Harbor Street
Morro Bay, CA 93442
Phone: (805) 772-6290
13. Governing Law. This License Agreement shall in all respects be interpreted, enforced, and governed by and under the laws of the State of California.
14. Entire Agreement. This License Agreement supersedes all previous oral and written agreements between and representations by or on behalf of the parties and constitutes the entire
Parking License (Rev. 4/2025) 2229-10-10018
10 agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This License Agreement may not be amended except by a written agreement executed by both parties.
15. Binding Effect. This License Agreement and the covenants and agreements herein contained shall be binding on, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective heirs, successors and assigns, subject to the limitations on assignment set forth in this License Agreement.
16. Assignment. This License Agreement is personal to Licensee, and Licensee shall not assign, transfer, convey or encumber the license and other rights herein granted or any portion thereof or interest herein.
17. Attorneys’ Fees. Should either party bring an action against the other party, by reason of or alleging the failure of the other party with respect to any or all of its obligations hereunder, whether for declaratory or other relief, and including any appeal thereof, then the party which prevails in such action shall be entitled to its reasonable attorneys’ fees (of both in-house and outside counsel) and expenses related to such action, in addition to all other recovery or relief.
A party shall be deemed to have prevailed in any such action (without limiting the generality of the foregoing) if such action is dismissed upon the payment by the other party of the sums allegedly due or the performance of obligations allegedly not complied with, or if such party obtains substantially the relief sought by it in the action, irrespective of whether such action is prosecuted to judgment. Attorneys’ fees shall include, without limitation, fees incurred in discovery, contempt proceedings, and bankruptcy litigation. The non-prevailing party shall also pay the attorney’s fees and costs incurred by the prevailing party in any post-judgment proceedings to collect and enforce the judgment. The covenant in the preceding sentence is separate and several and shall survive the merger of this provision into any judgment on this License Agreement. For purposes hereof, the reasonable fees of PG&E’s in-house attorneys who perform services in connection with any such action shall be recoverable, and shall be based on the fees regularly charged by private attorneys with the equivalent number of years of experience in the relevant subject matter area of the law, in law firms in the City of San Francisco with approximately the same number of attorneys as are employed by PG&E’s Law Department.
18. No Waiver. Any waiver with respect to any provision of this License Agreement shall not be effective unless in writing and signed by the party against whom it is asserted. The waiver of any provision of this License Agreement by a party shall not be construed as a waiver of a subsequent breach or failure of the same term or condition or as a waiver of any other provision of this License Agreement.
19. No Offsets. Licensee acknowledges that PG&E is executing this License Agreement in its capacity as the owner of real property, and not in its capacity as a public utility company or provider of electricity and natural gas. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no act or omission of PG&E or its employees, agents or contractors as a provider of electricity and natural gas shall abrogate, diminish, or otherwise affect the respective rights, obligations and liabilities of PG&E and Licensee under this License Agreement. Further, Licensee covenants not to raise as a defense to Licensee's obligations under this License Agreement, or assert as a counterclaim or cross-claim in any litigation or arbitration between PG&E and Licensee relating to this License Agreement, any claim, loss, damage, cause of action, liability, cost or
Parking License (Rev. 4/2025) 2229-10-10018
11 expense (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees) arising from or in connection with PG&E’s provision of (or failure to provide) electricity and natural gas.
20. No Dedication; No Third-Party Beneficiary. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to be a gift or dedication of the Property or portion thereof to the general public, or for any public use or purpose whatsoever. The right of the public or any person, including Licensee and Licensee’s Representatives, to make any use whatsoever of the License Area or any portion thereof, other than as expressly permitted herein or as expressly allowed by a recorded map, agreement, deed or dedication, is by permission and is subject to the control of PG&E in its sole and absolute discretion. The provisions of this License Agreement are for the exclusive benefit of the parties and their successors and assigns and shall not be deemed to confer any rights upon any person, except such parties and their successors and assigns, subject to the limitations on assignment set forth in this License Agreement. No obligation of a party under this License Agreement is enforceable by, or is for the benefit of, any other third parties.
21. Captions. The captions in this License Agreement are for reference only and shall in no way define or interpret any provision hereof.
22. Time. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the parties agree that as to any obligation or action to be performed hereunder, time is of the essence.
23. Severability. If any provision of this License Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this License Agreement shall not be affected thereby, and each provision of this License Agreement shall be valid and enforced to the full extent permitted by law, provided the material provisions of this License Agreement can be determined and effectuated.
24. Counterparts. This License Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one and the same instrument. Each Party shall be entitled to rely upon executed copies of this License Agreement transmitted either by facsimile or a portable document format (“pdf”) version by email to the same and full extent as the originals.
25. Electronic Signatures. This License Agreement may be executed by electronic signature(s) and transmitted either by facsimile or in a pdf version by email and such electronic signature(s) shall be deemed as original for purposes of this License Agreement and shall have the same force and effect as a manually executed original.
26. Joint and Several Liability. If two or more individuals, corporations, partnerships or other business associations (or any combination of two or more thereof) shall sign this License Agreement as Licensee, the liability of each such individual, corporation, partnership or other business association to perform Licensee's obligations hereunder shall be deemed to be joint and several, and all notices, payments and agreements given or made by, with or to any one of such individuals, corporations, partnerships or other business associations shall be deemed to have been given or made by, with or to all of them. In like manner, if Licensee shall be a partnership or other business association, the members of which are, by virtue of statute or federal law, subject to personal liability, then the liability of each such member shall be joint and several.
Parking License (Rev. 4/2025) 2229-10-10018
12 27. Survival. The waivers of claims or rights, the releases and the obligations of Licensee under this License Agreement to indemnify, protect, defend and hold harmless PG&E and other Indemnitees shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this License Agreement, and so shall all other obligations or agreements of PG&E and Licensee hereunder which by their terms survive the expiration or earlier termination of this License Agreement.
28. Other Documents. Each party agrees to sign any additional documents or permit applications which may be reasonably required to effectuate the purpose of this License Agreement. Provided, however, that PG&E will not be required to take any action or execute any document that would result in any liability, cost or expense to PG&E.
29. Authority; Execution; Conditions to Effectiveness. The parties and the individuals executing this License Agreement on behalf of the parties, each represent, by executing this License Agreement, that he or she is duly authorized to do so and to bind the respective party to its terms. The submission of this License Agreement for examination or execution does not constitute an approval of the terms herein, or an offer to license the License Area in accordance with the terms and conditions contained herein, and this License Agreement shall not become effective unless and until it has been executed and delivered by both PG&E and Licensee, and Licensee delivers to PG&E the license fee as set forth in Section 1 above, and current proof of insurance for Licensee and its consultants, contractors and subcontractors as set forth in Section 9 above.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this License Agreement as of the date set forth below each signature, effective upon the Effective Date first written above. “PG&E”
PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY,
a California corporation
By:
Name: Robert Jones
Its: Sr. Manager, Land Management
Date: ______________________________
“Licensee”
CITY OF MORRO BAY
A public body of the State of California
By:
Name: Carla Wixom
Its: Mayor
Date: ______________________________
EXHIBITS “A” and “B” attached
Parking License (Rev. 4/2025) 2229-10-10018
EXHIBIT A
THE LICENSE AREA
Parking License (Rev. 4/2025) 2229-10-10018
EXHIBIT A
EQUIPMENT ALLOWED WITHIN THE LICENSE AREA
One (1) small storage shed
One (1) porta potty
Parking License (Rev. 4/2025) 2229-10-10018
EXHIBIT B (Commercial Use)
INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
Licensee shall procure, carry and maintain the following insurance coverage, and Licensee is also responsible for the compliance of Licensee's consultants, contractors and subcontractors with the insurance requirements:
A. Commercial General Liability
1. Coverage shall be at least as broad as the Insurance Services Office (ISO) Commercial General Liability insurance “occurrence” form with no additional coverage alterations.
2. The limits shall not be less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence and Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) aggregate for bodily injury, property damage and products and completed operations. Defense costs are to be provided outside the policy limits. Limits can be achieved through a combination of Primary and Umbrella/Excess policy limits.
B. Auto Liability
1. Coverage shall be at least as broad as the Insurance Services Office (ISO) Business Auto Coverage form covering Automobile Liability, code 1 “any auto”.
2. The limit shall not be less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) each accident for bodily injury and property damage. Limit can be achieved through a combination of Primary and Umbrella/Excess policy limits.
C. Workers’ Compensation and Employers’ Liability
1. Workers’ Compensation insurance indicating compliance with any and all applicable labor codes, acts, laws or statutes, state or federal.
2. Employer’s Liability insurance shall not be less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) for injury or death, each accident.
D. Additional Insurance Provisions
1. Upon execution of this Agreement, Licensee shall furnish PG&E with certificates of insurance and endorsements of all required insurance for Licensee.
2. The certificate shall state that coverage shall not be changed, cancelled, terminated, failed to be renewed or lapsed, except after thirty (30) days prior written notice has been given to PG&E.
Parking License (Rev. 4/2025) 2229-10-10018
3. All policies shall include:
(a) PG&E as Additional Insured (does not apply to Professional Liability and Workers’ Compensation insurance);
(b) Primary and Non-contributory Endorsement;
(c) Waiver of Subrogation Endorsement.
4. The certificate must be signed by a person authorized by that insurer to bind coverage on its behalf and shall be submitted to PG&E's Land Agent as specified under Notices in the body of the License Agreement.
5. PG&E may inspect the original policies or require complete certified copies, at any time.
6. Licensee shall furnish PG&E the same evidence of insurance for Licensee's agents, consultants, contractors or subcontractors as PG&E requires of Licensee, prior to entry onto the Property by such parties.
Parking License (Rev. 4/2025) 2229-10-10018
Los Padres Division; Area 4
Fresno Land Services Office
Electric Transmission
MDM, T29S, R10E
Sec. 25, SW¼ of NE¼; NW¼ of SW¼
FERC: N/A
PG&E Dwg. #: Exhibit A (Satellite View)
Plat #: Not Applicable
Affected LD: N/A
Cross Ref LD: N/A
Previous LD: 2229-10-10010
Interest: 02, 11, 42
SBE: 135-40-06a, Parcel 1
PM: N/A; OPN: N/A
JCN: N/A
County: San Luis Obispo
Utility Notice #: N/A
851 Approval Application # __________
851 Approval Decision # _____________
Prepared: a5m9; Checked: E1AJ
Property Management ID: PM-04669; Contract ID: 755803
Prepared By: __DM________ Dept Review: ___DM_____
City Manager Review: JCC_____ City Attorney Review: BS ___ Staff Report
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council DATE: January 27, 2026 FROM: Daniel McCrain, Fire Chief
SUBJECT: Adopt Resolution No. 04-26 accepting the Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan 2025-2030 and approving Morro Bay Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex D
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Adopt Resolution No. 04-26 approving the 2025 San Luis Obispo County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan and City of Morro Bay Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex D.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funded 75% of the project, with the other 25% local match being split by the participating jurisdictions based on population served. The cost share for the City of Morro Bay is $1,875 and will be paid from the General Fund.
With the adoption of the approved plan, Morro Bay will maintain eligibility to apply for and receive federal hazard mitigation grants and other federal funding for infrastructure improvements related to hazard mitigation.
BACKGROUND
Through the Hazard Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000), the US Congress set a goal of encouraging local governments and states to develop plans and undertake projects to mitigate the impact of natural disasters to a community before disasters occur. As a result of this legislation, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires hazard mitigation plans (HMP) be reviewed and updated a minimum of every five years and following any major disaster declaration in order to maintain eligibility funding and technical assistance from State and Federal hazard mitigation programs.
The City of Morro Bay partnered with County of San Luis Obispo, all seven (7) cities, nine (9) community services districts, and four (4) special districts in the creation of the 2020 Multijurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (“Plan”). The Plan must be renewed every 5 years and the current Plan expired in 2025. Again, the County of San Luis Obispo Office of Emergency Services proposed creating a Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (M-JHMP) for all interested cities, community services districts, and special districts, and received grant funding to complete this endeavor. The 2025-2030 Plan would meet federal and state requirements, create efficiencies for AGENDA NO: 6.j
MEETING DATE: January 27, 2026
supporting agencies, and provide cost savings to the participating agencies. San Luis Obispo County led the project along with a consultant team to conduct multiple community outreach meetings to allow for public participation in the development of the plan.
On December 29,2025 the San Luis Obispo County OES received a letter from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that they have reviewed the draft 2025 San Luis Obispo County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan and it is eligible for final adoption by FEMA pending formal adoption by all participating agencies. The Morro Bay Local Hazard Mitigation Plan is listed as “Annex D” and is attached for review. This plan was created in collaboration with Morro Bay City Executive team staff and key personnel from the relevant City departments. The primary differences between this plan and the previous one include, updating significant event data, identifying critical infrastructure, providing updates on previously defined mitigation efforts and outlining additional mitigation actions.
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. FEMA Approval Letter
2. Resolution No. 04-26
3. Attach 1 to Reso 04-26 - Annex “D” Morro Bay Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
4. San Luis Obispo County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
FEMA Region 9
1111 Broadway, Suite 1200
Oakland, CA 94607
www.fema.gov
December 29, 2025
Scott Milner
Emergency Services Coordinator
County of San Luis Obispo Office of Emergency Services
1055 Monterey Street, Suite D430
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
Reference: Hazard Mitigation Plan Review for San Luis Obispo County, CA Dear Scott Milner:
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has completed its review of the 2025 San Luis Obispo County Hazard Mitigation Plan in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 44, Part 201, Section 6 (44 CFR 201.6) for local hazard mitigation plans.
All mandatory requirements associated with 44 CFR 201.6 for local hazard mitigation plans have been met and the plan is eligible for final approval, pending its adoption by San Luis Obispo County and its planning participants. Formal adoption documentation must be submitted to FEMA Region 9 within one calendar year from the date of this letter.
FEMA’s review did identify the need for a revision in the dam safety section to fulfill the eligibility requirements for the Rehabilitation of the High Hazard Potential Dam (HHPD) grant program, which is outlined in the enclosed Plan Review Tool. This revision is considered optional and is only required to maintain eligibility for the HHPD program.
Please note that while local hazard mitigation plans may include additional content to meet Element H: Additional State Requirements or other local objectives, FEMA’s Approvable Pending Adoption (APA) status does not constitute review or approval of any content exceeding FEMA’s mitigation planning requirements.
If you have any questions regarding the planning or review processes, please contact the FEMA Region 9 Hazard Mitigation Planning Team at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Alison Kearns
Planning and Implementation Branch Chief
Mitigation Division
FEMA Region 9
County of San Luis Obispo Hazard Mitigation Plan Review Completion Notice December 29, 2025
Enclosure (1)
San Luis Obispo County Plan Review Tool, dated December 29, 2025 Status of Participating Jurisdictions, dated December 29, 2025 cc: Robyn Fennig, State Hazard Mitigation Officer, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
Victoria LaMar-Haas, Hazard Mitigation Planning Chief, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
County of San Luis Obispo Hazard Mitigation Plan Review Completion Notice December 29, 2025
Status of Participating Jurisdictions as of December 29, 2025 Jurisdictions Adopted and Approved
# Jurisdiction Adoption Receipt Date
Jurisdictions Approvable Pending Adoption
# Jurisdiction
1 County of San Luis Obispo
2 City of Arroyo Grande
3 City of Atascadero
4 City of Grover Beach
5 City of Morro Bay
6 City of Paso Robles
7 City of Pismo Beach
8 City of San Luis Obispo
9 Avila Beach Community Services District
10 Cambria Community Services District
11 Cayucos Sanitary District
12 Ground Squirrel Hollow Community Services District
13 Heritage Ranch Community Services District
14 Los Osos Community Services District
15 Nipomo Community Services District
16 Oceano Community Services District
17 Port of San Luis Harbor District
18 San Luis Obispo Flood Control and Water Conservation District 19 San Miguel Community Services District
20 San Simeon Community Services District
21 South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District
22 Templeton Community Services District
RESOLUTION NO. 04-26
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF MORRO BAY, CALIFORNIA,
ADOPTING THE COUNTY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN 2025-2030 AND LOCAL MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE
T H E C I T Y C O U N C I L
City of Morro Bay, California
WHEREAS, the City of Morro Bay recognizes the threat that natural hazards pose to people within our community; and
WHEREAS, undertaking hazards mitigation actions will reduce the potential for harm to people and property for future hazard occurrences; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, the City of Morro Bay has prepared and updated 2025-2030 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan to identify the risks to lives and property created by natural and artificial hazards to the City, and to formulate a set of goals, objectives and actions to mitigate risks created by these hazards; and WHEREAS, an adopted Local Hazard Mitigation Plan is required as a condition of future funding for mitigation projects under multiple Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) pre-and post-disaster mitigation grant programs; and
WHEREAS, the City of Morro Bay, in coordination with the County of San Luis Obispo, all local municipalities, community service districts, and local sanitation district's participated in the FEMА prescribed mitigation planning process to prepare a Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
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///
///
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Morro Bay, California, that the City of Morro Bay hereby adopts the revised 2025-2030 San Luis Obispo County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, and the attached local Hazard Mitigation Plan for the City of Morro Bay as outlined in Annex D; and the City Of Morro Bay will submit this adoption resolution to the California Office of Emergency Services and FEMA Region IX officials to enable the plan's final approval in accordance with the requirements of the disaster Mitigation Act 2000 and to establish conformance with requirements of Government Code Sections 8685.9 and 65302.6.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Morro Bay, at a regular meeting thereof held on the 27th day of January 2026 by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
RECUSE:
______________________
CARLA WIXOM, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________
DANA SWANSON, City Clerk
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-1 Annex D City of Morro Bay
D.1 Community Profile
D.1.1 Mitigation Planning History and 2025 Process
This annex was updated in 2025 to build upon the previous version created for the 2019 San Luis Obispo Hazard Mitigation Plan update. This 2025 annex update also includes input from the previous versions of the City of Morro Bay Local Hazard Mitigation Plans completed in June 2019 and September 2006. The 2006
General Plan, however the updated 2019 version was successfully incorporated by reference, and the upcoming 2025 update is also planned for incorporation by reference. A planned the 2006 plan did not take place but was conducted following the adoption of the 2019 plan.
The Fire Department represented the City of Morro Bay on the County HMPC and took the lead for developing the plan and this annex in coordination with the Morro Bay Local Planning Team (Planning Team). A review of jurisdictional priorities found no significant changes in priorities since the last update.
The Local Planning Team will be responsible for implementation and maintenance of the plan.
Table D-1 summarizes the planning team for the plan revision process, and Table D-2 summarizes various stakeholder groups, neighboring communities, and local agencies which supported or coordinated on this HMP update.
Table D-1 Morro Bay Local Planning Team
DEPARTMENT TITLE
Fire Department Fire Chief
Fire Department Deputy Chief
Public Works City Engineer
Community Development Director
Community Development Chief Building Inspector
Police Department Police Chief
Table D-2 Morro Bay Stakeholder Groups, Neighboring Communities, and Local Agencies
STAKEHOLDER CATEGORY ORGANIZATION
Agencies involved in hazard mitigation
activities:
Fire Safe Council
California State Parks
Agencies that have the authority to regulate
development
California Coastal Commission
Neighboring communities Los Osos CSD
Representatives of business academia, and
other private orgs
Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce
Representatives supporting underserved
communities
Community Action Partnership of San Luis
Obispo (CAPSLO)
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-2 More details on the planning process and how the jurisdictions, service districts and stakeholders participated can be found in Chapter 3 of the Base Plan (Planning Process), as well as how the public was involved during the 2025 update.
D.1.2 Geography and Climate
The City of Morro Bay (City) is located on the central coast of California, bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Los Osos Community Services District to the south, and the Cayucos Community Services District to the north. A shallow agricultural valley extends eastward from the City limits, which is surrounded by the Santa Lucia Coastal Range to the north, the Seven Sisters on the south, and the City of San Luis Obispo to the east. from level coastal terrain to rolling hills and a few steeper escarpments in the North Atascadero Beach area and Southern portions on Black Mountain. from sea level to a height of approximately 640 feet on Black Mountain. The highest elevations in the vicinity are located in the Santa Lucia Coastal Range where many peaks are 2,000 to 3,400 feet above mean sea level (MSL). The vegetation throughout the city includes Central California Coastal Community habitats, particularly the coastal wetland habitat with diverse tree species and native chaparral communities.
The City of Morro Bay is a small coastal town in a rural setting. port of refuge, a working waterfront, commercial fishing and recreational boating facilities, shopping and sightseeing, bird watching, and eco-tourism. In 1994, the Governor established tuary, and in October 1995 it was accepted into the
National Estuary Program (NEP).
This portion of the central coast of California generally has cool, foggy summers and low rainfall. The Pacific Ocean exerts a tremendous influence on temperature. The area is characterized by a Coastal climate with a wet season from October to early April. In the City of Morro Bay, the total annual precipitation is approximately 20 to 25 inches. In winter, the . In summer, the average daily highs are in the 60 while lows are typically in the Figure D-1 The City of Morro Bay below shows the location and geographic context of the City of Morro Bay. - acres
beyond the city limits and includes two general areas, one within the bay south of town adjacent to the marina and the other north of town along the beach (City of Morro Bay, 2017).
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-4 D.1.3 History
The City of Morro Bay is a small coastal town in a rural setting. What makes Morro Bay unique is nestled in a rural setting around a bay and harbor with Morro Rock towering over the entrance. recreational boating facilities, shopping and sightseeing, bird watching, and eco-tourism, all of which make it a unique tourist and recreation destination.
Archaeological evidence suggests that Native Americans including the Chumash Tribe settled in northern Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County more than 9,000 years ago (City of Morro Bay Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, 2012). Following an annual cycle of hunting, fishing, fowling, and harvesting, the Native American peoples adapted to changing environmental conditions and grew into a large, complex society. In 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, a European to discover the land of Upper California, including the area now known as Estero Bay and Morro Bay. In 1870, the township of Morro Bay was established with a population of approximately 200.
Until the Second World War, the area was relatively undeveloped. Most of the small community of Morro Bay was built on the bluff tops. In 1942, the Department of the Navy initiated a national defense project to construct an amphibious training base in Morro Bay.
From 1942 to 1944, the north and south breakwaters, the two T-Piers, and the inner harbor revetment from Coleman Beach to the sandspit were constructed. In addition, the federal government dredged the current Navy and Morro Channels and deposited the dredge spoils behind the inner harbor revetment to create the current Embarcadero Road area on what had previously been tidal flats.
1995
Morro Bay was accepted into the National Estuary Program (NEP) primarily because of longterm grass-roots efforts and because it was the first ever State Estuary. The Morro Bay National Estuary Program (MBNEP) is one of 28 national programs currently working to safeguard the desires to protect and conserve the bay that bears its name.
D.1.4 Economy
Morro Bay is a largely built-out community with limited space for residential, commercial, and industrial growth; only 1.25% of the area is
potential economic growth. Morro Bay contains four economic activity centers: Downtown, Embarcadero, Quintana, and North Main. Each of these economic centers have the opportunity for renovation and enhancement of space and development.
The utilities infrastructure in the City includes water provision, and wastewater collection and treatment (City of Morro Bay Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, 2021). The public services infrastructure in the city include fire protection and emergency services, police protection, public schools, libraries, the harbor and its associated infrastructure, and solid waste collection and disposal.
Select estimates of economic characteristics for the City of Morro Bay are shown in below.
Table D-3 and Table D-4 show the occupational and industry breakdown of the City of Morro 8-2023 American Community Survey.
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-5 Table D-3 City of Morro Bay Employment by Occupation
OCCUPATION % EMPLOYED # EMPLOYED
Sales and Office Occupations 22.3% 1,096
Management, Business, Science, and
Arts Occupations
38.7% 1,906
Service Occupations 21.4% 1,055
Production, Transportation, and
Material Moving Occupations
9.4% 462
Natural Resources, Construction, and
Maintenance Occupations
8.2% 404
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2018-2023, 5-Year Estimates www.census.gov Table D-4 City of Morro Bay Employment by Industry
INDUSTRY
#
EMPLOYE
D
%
EMPLOY
ED
Population (16 years and over, 2023) 9,559
In Labor Force 5,383 56.3%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining 64 1.3% Construction 456 9.3%
Manufacturing 249 5.1%
Wholesale trade 114 2.3%
Retail trade 765 15.5%
Transportation and warehousing, and utilities 116 2.4%
Information 42 .9%
Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing 357 7.3% Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services
511 11.7%
Educational services, health care and social assistance 1,005 20.4% Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services 487 9.9% Other services, except public administration 239 4.9%
Public administration 452 9.2%
Unemployed 451 4.7%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2018-2023, 5-Year Estimates www.census.gov D.1.5 Population
-Year
Estimates (2018-2023), the total population for the City of Morro Bay is 10,717 persons in 2023.
Select demographic and social characteristics for the City of Grover Beach from the 2018-2023 American Community Survey are shown in Table D-5.
Table D-5 City of Morro Bay Demographic and Social Characteristics CITY OF MORRO BAY 2018 2023
%
CHANGE
Population 10,592 10,717 +1.2%
Median Age 48.8 52.9 +8.4%
Total Housing Units 6,246 6,271 +.4%
Housing Occupancy Rate 76.7% 80% +4.3%
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-6 CITY OF MORRO BAY 2018 2023
%
CHANGE
% of Housing Units with no Vehicles Available 4.4% 3.2% -27.3% Median Home Value $613,900 $931,100 +51.7%
Unemployment 3.8% 4.7% +23.7%
Mean Travel Time to Work (minutes) 20.7 20.8 +.5%
Median Household Income $88,986 $145,625 +63.6%
Per Capita Income $35,852 $59,411 +65.3%
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level 9.8% 9.9% +1%
# of Households 4,792 4,989 +4.1%
Average Household Size 2.18 2.11 +3.2%
% of Population Over 25 with High School Diploma 91.1% 90.7% -.4%
37.4% 51.5% +37.7%
% with Disability 15% 17% +13.3%
% Speak a language other than English 12.7% 10.6% -16.5% Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2018-2023 5-Year Estimates, www.census.gov/ D.1.6 Development Trends
Morro Bay is mostly built-out and geographically constrained by the Pacific Ocean to the west, steep topography to the east, and protected agricultural land and open space to the north and south. The city approves approximately 20 to 30 new residential units each year. This includes new single-family homes, accessory dwelling units, and multi-family units. These are mostly infill units located on existing lots throughout the city, some of which (particularly in North Morro Bay and Morro Bay Heights) are located on moderate to steep (10 - 30 percent) slopes.
The city permits approximately 1 to 5 new commercial development / redevelopment projects each year. These most commonly consist of hotel and retail projects. Some of these projects are located on the Embarcadero on City tidelands lease sites. These areas are potentially vulnerable to coastal hazards, flooding, and tsunami inundation. The city is in the process of updating its Waterfront Master Plan to include a sea level rise vulnerability assessment and adaptation plan. The Local Planning Team noted that in the Waterfront Master Plan they have identified a safety risk of traffic congestion and one way access to certain areas that can limit or impede evacuation access and egress. Specifically, the traffic congestion on Embarcadero is being caused by larger vehicles having difficulty turning around in the central Embarcadero and excessive length of dead-end roads creating congestion and safety hazards.
The City received an application for a 600 MW battery energy storage systems (BESS) facility on a 23-acre portion of the power plant property. This industrial project would potentially be vulnerable to coastal hazards, particularly if shoreline armoring is not used to protect the processing of the project and indicated their intention to apply instead for approval with the California Energy Commission under the AB 205 opt-in certification program. However, on April 4th, 2025 Vistra formally withdrew BESS application from the city.
Multiple areas within the city are within the 100-year and 500-year floodplain. This includes (but is not limited to) tidelands and coastal areas north and east of Morro Rock; along Morro Valley; and low-lying drainage areas in North Morro Bay as shown in Figure D-2 below. The above the floodplain.
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-7 Specific to hazards, analysis of parcels developed between 2019-2024 (since the last update of this HMP) indicated some growth in areas prone to flood (0.2% annual chance zone), landslide, earthquake (liquefaction), tsunami, and wildfire (see Development Trends subsections in base plan Chapter 5 for specific counts). While these trends may indicate some increase in community vulnerability, they do not account for site specific investigations or compliance with local regulations that may reduce risk during development. For all other hazards identified in Section D
changes in development since the previous plan was approved.
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-8 Figure D-2 City of Morro Bay FEMA Flood Zones
Source: City of Morro Bay Planning Division
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-9 D.2 Hazard Identification and Summary
Morro Bay s planning team identified the hazards that affect the city and summarized their frequency of occurrence, spatial extent, potential magnitude, and significance specific to Morro Bay (Table D-6). There are no hazards that are unique to Morro Bay. The overall hazard significance considers the geographic area, probability and magnitude as a way to identify priority hazards for mitigation purposes. This is discussed further in the sections below.
Table D-6 City of Morro Bay Hazard Summaries
HAZARD GEOGRAPHI
C AREA
PROBABILITY
OF FUTURE
OCCURRENCE
MAGNITUDE/
SEVERITY
(EXTENT)
OVERALL
SIGNIFICANCE
Adverse Weather: Thunderstorm/Heavy
Rain/Dense Fog
Extensive Highly Likely Limited High
Adverse Weather: High Wind/Tornado Significant Highly Likely Limited Medium Adverse Weather: Extreme Heat Significant Highly Likely Limited Medium Coastal Storm/Coastal Erosion/Sea Level
Rise
Extensive Likely Critical High
Drought and Water Shortage Extensive Likely Critical High Earthquake Significant Occasional Catastrophic High
Flood Extensive Highly Likely Critical High
Landslides and Debris Flow Significant Likely Critical Medium Tsunami Extensive Occasional Catastrophic High
Wildfire Extensive Highly Likely Catastrophic High
Human Caused: Hazardous Materials Limited Highly Likely Negligible Medium Geographic Area
Limited: Less than 10% of planning area
Significant: 10-50% of planning area
Extensive: 50-100% of planning area
Probability of Future Occurrences
Highly Likely: Near 100% chance of occurrence in next
year or happens every year.
Likely: Between 10 and 100% chance of occurrence in
next year or has a recurrence interval of 10 years or less.
Occasional: Between 1 and 10% chance of occurrence in
the next year or has a recurrence interval of 11 to 100 years.
Unlikely: Less than 1% chance of occurrence in next 100 years or has a recurrence interval of greater than every 100 years.
Magnitude/Severity (Extent)
Catastrophic More than 50 percent of property
severely damaged; shutdown of facilities for more
than 30 days; and/or multiple deaths
Critical 25-50 percent of property severely
damaged; shutdown of facilities for at least two
weeks; and/or injuries and/or illnesses result in
permanent disability
Limited 10-25 percent of property severely
damaged; shutdown of facilities for more than a
week; and/or injuries/illnesses treatable do not result in permanent disability
Negligible Less than 10 percent of property severely
damaged, shutdown of facilities and services for less
than 24 hours; and/or injuries/illnesses treatable with first aid
Significance
Low: minimal potential impact
Medium: moderate potential impact
High: widespread potential impact
D.3 Vulnerability Assessment
ly from that of
the County, which has already been assessed in Section 5 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) in the Base Plan. This assessment analyzes the population, property, and
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-10 other assets (e.g., critical facilities) at risk to hazards ranked of medium or high significance that may vary from other parts of the planning area.
The key information to support the HIRA for this Annex was collected through a Data Collection Guide, which was distributed to each participating municipality, community services district, or special district to complete during the planning process. Information collected was analyzed and summarized in order to identify and rank all the hazards that could impact anywhere within the County, as well as to rank the hazards and identify the related vulnerabilities unique to each jurisdiction/district. In addition, the Morro Bay planning team was asked to share information on past hazard events that have affected the district.
Each participating jurisdiction or district was in support of the main hazard summary identified in the Base Plan (See Table 5.1). However, the hazard summary rankings for each jurisdictional annex may vary slightly due to specific hazard risk and vulnerabilities unique to that jurisdiction (see Table D-6). Identifying these differences helps the reader to differentiate . Morro Bay planning team input from the Data Collection Guide and the risk assessment developed during the planning process (see Chapter 5 of the Base Plan), which included more detailed quantitative and qualitative analyses with best available data for all hazards in the County.
D.3.1.1 Other Hazards
The following hazards identified in the base plan HIRA are not identified within this jurisdictional annex due to no risk or insignificant anticipated impacts and are not considered further for mitigation actions:
Adverse Weather: Lightning, Hail, and Freeze
Agricultural Pest Infestation and Plant Disease/ Marine Invasive Species Biological Agents
Dam Incidents
Subsidence
D.3.2 Assets at Risk
This section considers assets at risk, including an inventory of improved properties and critical facilities and Community Lifelines, and historic, economic, cultural, and environmental assets. Please refer to Section 5.2.2 of the base plan for a detailed description of the methodology used.
D.3.2.1 Property Inventory
Table D-7 shows the total exposure of improved properties, broken down by property type, for the City of Morro Bay.
Table D-7 Morro Bay Total Exposure by Property Type
PROPERTY TYPE
STRUCTURE
COUNT IMPROVED VALUE
ESTIMATED
CONTENT VALUE TOTAL VALUE
Agricultural 1 $5,388 $5,388 $10,776
Commercial 292 $164,005,608 $164,005,608 $328,011,216
Exempt 21 $13,969,219 $13,969,219 $27,938,438
Industrial 28 $9,715,451 $14,573,177 $24,288,628
Mixed Use 221 $60,955,027 $60,955,027 $121,910,054
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-11
PROPERTY TYPE
STRUCTURE
COUNT IMPROVED VALUE
ESTIMATED
CONTENT VALUE TOTAL VALUE
Mobile/Manufactured
Homes
17 $2,931,434 $1,465,717 $4,397,151
Multi-Family Residential 309 $115,702,017 $57,851,009 $173,553,026 Residential 4,332 $1,103,150,824 $551,575,412 $1,654,726,236 Vacant Improved 30 $11,546,771 - $11,546,771
Total 5,251 $1,481,981,739 $864,400,556 $2,346,382,295
Source: San Luis Obispo County Assessor Data November 15, 2024, WSP GIS Analysis D.3.2.2 Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
A critical facility is defined as one that is essential in providing utility or direction either during the response to an emergency or during the recovery operation.
An inventory of critical facilities in the city is provided in Table D-8 as well as illustrated in Figure D-1. Refer to Section 5.2 of the Base Plan for more information on the Assets used throughout this annex, including the definitions and categories of critical facilities, and the County-wide analyses.
Table D-8 Assets Summary by FEMA Lifeline
FEMA LIFELINE CATEGORY COUNTS
Communications 4
Energy 2
Food, Hydration, Shelter 1
Hazardous Material - Health and Medical 4
Safety and Security 8
Transportation 12
Water Systems 3
Total 34
Source: San Luis Obispo County, CalARP, HIFLD, National Bridge Inventory, National Inventory of Dams, FCWCD, WSP Analysis D.3.2.3 High Potential Loss Facilities
High potential loss facilities are considered critical facilities that present significant risks if damaged and include nuclear power plants, dams, and military installations. The city has one classified high potential loss facility: Dynergy Morro Bay Power Plant.
D.3.2.4 Transportation Systems
The City of Morro Bay contains portions of Highway 41 and Highway 1, which are primary points of transportation access for the city and region. However, no critical facilities classified as part of essential/critical transportation systems were noted.
D.3.2.5 Lifeline Facilities
Lifeline Utility Systems include 2 Microwave Service Towers, 1 Wastewater Treatment Plant, and 1 Energy Commission Facilities for a total of 4 lifeline utility critical facilities.
D.3.2.6 Emergency Service Facilities
The city contains 12 Emergency Services facilities aimed at providing for the health, welfare, and safety of the entire community. These include emergency medical service stations, fire stations, local law enforcement stations, nursing homes, emergency shelters, and schools as noted in Table D-8.
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-12 D.3.2.7 Additional Critical Facilities
Additional Essential Infrastructures and Vulnerable Facilities to the district were noted by the Planning Team, which may or may not have been noted in the previous lists and tables. The 10 are summarized below along with their estimated replacement values (per the planning team input):
City Hall - $1,471,400 + $329,595 for Annex
Police Station - $2,175,000
Fire Station - $7,238,400
Water Treatment Plant (555 South Bay) - $93,941,500
Water Treatment Plant (160 Atascadero Road) - $11,849,975 Desalinization Plant $7,775,149
Community Center - $6,776,028
Corporation Yard - $1,580,533
Harbor Department - $4,500,000; Office building $305,327, South T-Pier $2,537,416, N TPier $2,284,916 Public Works - $1,572,000
Veterans Hall - $1,574,700
D.3.2.8 Historic and Cultural Resources
One of the most visually prominent historic natural landmarks immediately vulnerable to coastal hazards and sea level rise is Morro Rock. Morro Rock stands approximately 576 feet tall and was created from a volcanic plug. The area is a significant cultural and religious monument, as it was once the site of Chumash sacred rituals (City of Morro Bay 2018). Morro Rock is a protected State Historic Landmark (#821) that also provides nesting habitat for peregrine falcons, a previously endangered and currently fully protected species (Department of Fish and Wildlife 2019).
The City of Morro Bay has no registered federal historic sites; however, the State registered historical site, Morro Rock, is within the City Limits (State of California Office of Historic Preservation, 2019). Other historical sites of importance to the County of San Luis Obispo in Morro Bay are listed below.
Filipino Landing - Coleman Park
Morro Bay State Park - 20 State Park Road
Morro Rock - Coleman Drive
D.3.2.9 Natural Resources
Natural resources are important to include in benefit-cost analyses for future projects and may be used to leverage additional funding for projects that also contribute to community goals for protecting sensitive natural resources. Awareness of natural assets can lead to opportunities for meeting multiple objectives. For instance, the Morro Bay coast is fronted by large sand dunes from Atascadero State Beach and continuing south through much of Montaña de Oro State Park that provide protection for developments located on terrace materials behind the sand dunes. The beach has widened about 250 feet near San Jacinto Avenue and almost 500 feet in front of Morro Bay High School in the past 50 years. This sandbar protects development in this region.
One of the most visually prominent historic natural landmarks immediately vulnerable to coastal hazards and sea level rise is Morro Rock. Morro Rock is a protected State Historic Landmark as mentioned above that also provides nesting habitat for peregrine falcons, a previously endangered and currently fully protected species.
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-13 D.3.3 Estimating Potential Losses
This section details vulnerability to specific hazards of medium or high significance, where quantifiable, noted by the Planning Team, and/or where it differs significantly from that of the overall County. Impacts of past events and vulnerability to specific hazards are further HIRA findings and hazard profiles.
D.3.3.1 Adverse Weather: Thunderstorm/ Heavy Rain/ Dense Fog Adverse weather in the form of thunderstorms, heavy rain, and dense fog occur in Morro Bay primarily during the late fall and winter but have a chance of occurring in every month of the year. According to the Western Regional Climate Center (WRCC), the majority of precipitation is produced by storms during January and other winter months. Precipitation during the summer months is in the form of rain showers or thunderstorms and is rare.
Dense fog in Morro Bay reduces visibility making driving more dangerous during fog events.
There have been several fog advisories over the years. Most recently, the National Service Weather issued a Dense Fog Advisory for the San Luis Obispo area. Visibility was reduced to a quarter mile or less and created hazardous driving conditions in the surrounding areas.
The entire property and facility inventory in Section D.3.2, as well as the population of Morro Bay, is exposed to the impacts of thunderstorm/heavy rain/dense fog due to the widespread nature of these hazards. The typical impacts to people, structures, and critical facilities/lifeline are discussed in Section 5.3.2.7 of the base plan. The climate of the County is influenced by the effects of the Santa Lucia Range, the Pacific Ocean, and routine climate patterns such as El Niño. Atmospheric rivers in 2023-2024 inundated the city, county, and state with heavy rains.
Impacts of these events are discussed in D.3.3.6 Flood.
Loss of life is uncommon but could occur during severe storms depending on secondary effects or impacts. Transportation accidents that cause property damage or injuries can occur when roads become obscured by dense fog. Heavy rains causing flooding, and even downed trees can affect the transportation infrastructure and cause public safety hazards in the area.
Overall, the Morro Bay planning team has rated adverse weather hazards as holding high significance.
D.3.3.2 Adverse Weather: High Wind/ Tornado
The overall significance of high wind and tornadoes in Morro Bay is rated medium, primarily due to frequent high wind events and the rare occurrence of tornadoes. The entire property and facility inventory in Section D.3.2, as well as the population of Morro Bay, is exposed to the impacts of high wind and tornadoes due to the widespread nature of these hazards. The typical impacts to people, structures, and critical facilities/lifeline are discussed in Section
5.3.3.7 of the base plan. The City has relatively few mobile homes (8) thus has lower vulnerability to structures and population than other areas of the county. Strong coastal winds, especially during winter storms, can cause power outages and property damage. While tornadoes are uncommon, past events demonstrate that the threat is possible in the planning area.
February 2024, an EF1 tornado touched down in nearby Los Osos and moved to the outskirts of Morro Bay causing damage to power lines and structures. The tornado produced wind speeds of up to 110 mph, uprooting trees, damaging power lines, and causing structural damage to several homes and businesses along its path. This event demonstrates that although tornadoes are not common in the area, they are not impossible and can cause disruption, damage, and potential public safety impacts if they do occur.
Of specific concern for Morro Bay is the combination of high winds, winter storms and the resultant high surf. Coastal communities in the county face increased hazards to high wind
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-14 and extreme wind storms. The surfing industry of Morro Bay, which attracts visitors and tourists, could be at risk due to the hazard to human safety in the event of increasing unsafe wind events.
D.3.3.3 Adverse Weather: Extreme Heat
Extreme heat in Morro Bay is rated as medium due to occasional spikes in temperatures and increased frequency of warmer days. While the city generally has a mild coastal climate, certain weather patterns can lead to short-term events that affect daily life. According to the Western Regional Climate Center (WRCC), the mean average temperature for fall in Morro Bay is 59°F, with a mean maximum temperature for fall being 68°F. However, the WRCC station in Morro Bay, with a record period from 1959-2015, recorded a daily extreme high temperature of 106°F in 1987. More recently, the National Weather Service recorded a high of 97°F at the Morro Bay Harbor.
The entire property and facility inventory, as well as the population of Morro Bay, is exposed to the impacts of extreme heat due to the widespread nature of this hazard. The typical impacts to people, structures, and critical facilities/lifeline are discussed in Section 5.3.4.7 of the base plan. These heat events can have severe impacts on human health and mortality in areas like Morro Bay where extreme temperatures are not the norm and many homes and businesses may not be retrofitted to accommodate these temperatures. Impacts to natural ecosystems, the built environment, and economic sectors do not differ significantly from that of the D.3.3.4 Drought and Water Shortage
The City of Morro Bay LPT gave drought a high overall significance rating but has made efforts to mitigate impacts over the years. The City of Morro Bay sources its water from a combination of seven local groundwater wells in the Morro and Chorro Groundwater Basins, as well as imported water delivered through the State Water Project. Additionally, the recently completed Water Reclamation Facilities provides advanced treated water for indirect potable reuse, and uses injection wells to recharge groundwater. Current infrastructure consists of 72 miles of pipelines, ten treated water storage tanks, three booster pump stations, and four pressure-reducing stations.
identified several critical areas where
treatment and distribution systems. Aging
infrastructure and leak reduction remain a top priority as pipelines and storage tanks require upgrades to prevent inefficiencies and water loss, which ranged from 17 to 129-acre feet per year between 2015 and 2020.
The City is implementing a new water metering system to improve accuracy in water losses and billing. The City is also exploring solar power options for its water treatment plant and booster pump stations. Additionally, Morro Bay is looking to expand its recycled water infrastructure and expand non-potable water distribution for landscape irrigation and industrial use. The City is also exploring desalination as a future backup water source.
The City of Morro Bay anticipates managing its water supply during consecutive dry years through 2045 by utilizing a combination of stored water, groundwater, and recycled water.
During drought years, the City anticipates supply reductions compared to normal years and has outlined a strategy to meet demand. As a result, the City anticipates having enough supply to accommodate multiple dry year scenarios, as shown in Table D-9 below.
Section 5.3.9.7 of the Base Plan includes an analysis of the vulnerability of people, property, facilities, and other assets to this hazard countywide. The entire population of the City is exposed to drought, but impacts are more likely to be associated with water restrictions that might impact landscaping. The buildings and infrastructure in the City are less likely than
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-15 other parts of the county to be impacted by subsidence from excessive groundwater withdrawals.
Table D-9 Multiple Dry Year Supply and Demand Comparison
DROUGHT
YEAR SUPPLY/DEMAND 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
First Year Supply Totals 3,151 3,151 3,151 3,151 3,151
Demand Totals 1,333 1,366 1,400 1,445 1,445
Difference 1,818 1,785 1,751 1,706 1,706
Second
Year
Supply Totals 2,967 2,967 2,967 2,967 2,967
Demand Totals 1,333 1,366 1,400 1,445 1,445
Difference 1,634 1,601 1,567 1,522 1,522
Third Year Supply Totals 1,702 1,702 1,702 1,702 1,702
Demand Totals 1,333 1,366 1,400 1,445 1,445
Difference 369 336 302 257 257
Fourth Year Supply Totals 1,445 1,445 1,445 1,445 1,445 Demand Totals 1,333 1,366 1,400 1,445 1,445
Difference 112 79 45 0 0
Fifth Year Supply Totals 1,720 1,720 1,720 1,720 1,720
Demand Totals 1,333 1,366 1,400 1,445 1,445
Difference 387 354 320 275 275
Source: Morro Bay 2020 Urban Water Management Plan
D.3.3.5 Earthquake
Earthquake hazards pose a High Significance for the City of Morro Bay. The northwest trending Cambria Fault zone is within the City limits of Morro Bay (US Quaternary Fault 2019).
Within the surrounding area, the East Hausna, La Panza, Los Osos, Edna, Nacimiento, Rinconada, San Andres, and San Simeon- Hosgri Faults are considered to pose a potential hazard to the City in catastrophic and cascading effects (City of Morro Bay 2012). Earthquakeevent associated impacts have occurred in Morro Bay in the past including a number of magnitude 5.0 to 7.7 earthquakes. - type structures, which contain some material flexibility allowing the structures to withstand larger seismicity impacts in earthquake events than masonry buildings. Most structure s weak areas are between sill plates and the foundation especially in homes constructed prior to 1950.
Major efforts will be required to remove debris and clear roadways, demolish unsafe structures, assist in reestablishing public services and utilities, and provide continuing care and temporary housing for affected citizens.
In addition to being at risk of ground shaking as a result of a fault rupture, the City of Morro Bay is also susceptible to the effects of liquefaction. Much of the City has soils with a moderate risk for liquefaction. A majority of the city is underlain by beach and sand dune sediments and alluvial soils. Areas along the Embarcadero are known to have been filled in over the years with a variety of fill materials, and when combined with the high-water table in the area, these areas present increased concern for liquefaction impacts. Table D-10 below summarizes the properties exposed to liquefiable soils throughout the city, broken up by parcel type and level of risk, while Figure D-3 displays the liquefaction zones. Overall, the City has over $2.3 billion in total property value potentially exposed to liquefaction, and a total of 5,251 exposed parcels.
A total of 21 critical facilities are found in either moderate or low-risk liquefaction zones in the City. These are listed in Table D-11 by facility type.
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-18 Table D-11 Critical Facility Assets Exposed to Liquefaction Susceptibility by FEMA Lifeline
LIQUEFACTION
SUSCEPTIBILITY
CATEGORY COMMUNICATIONS ENERGY FOOD, HYDRATION, SHELTER HAZARDOUS MATERIAL HEALTH AND MEDICAL SAFETY AND SECURITY TRANSPORTATION WATER SYSTEMS TOTAL COUNT Moderate Liquefaction
Susceptibility - 2 1 - 1 3 11 1 19
Low Liquefaction
Susceptibility - - - - 1 1 - - 2
Source: San Luis Obispo County, CalARP, HIFLD, NBI, NID, FCWCD, WSP Analysis D.3.3.6 Flood
Flooding remains a significant hazard in the City of Morro Bay, with a High Significance ranking based on historical impacts and potential future risk. The City has experienced damaging flood events that caused extensive property losses, particularly in areas near major drainage systems such as Chorro Creek, Little Morro Creek, No-Name Creek, Alva Paul Creek, Toro Creek, and San Bernardo Creek. Chorro Creek, the largest system, runs along the southern boundary of the city and presents flood risks to nearby mobile home parks and low-lying residential neighborhoods. Morro Creek, which parallels Highway 41, also contributes to localized flooding during major storm events.
Areas most vulnerable to flooding include South Bay Boulevard between Highway 1 and State Park Road, the corridor between Highway 41/Atascadero Road and Radcliff Avenue, low-lying sections of Island Street and Beachcomber, and portions of Highway 1 both at the northern and southern city limits. These areas are exposed to riverine flooding, where storm runoff exceeds drainage capacity, leading to overbank flooding and blocked transportation routes.
In addition to riverine flooding, Morro Bay is susceptible to flash flooding, particularly in smaller watersheds following intense rainfall or post-wildfire conditions. Flash floods in the area are typically high velocity, short-duration events capable of transporting large debris and causing rapid erosion. Urbanization has increased runoff volumes, compounding flash flood risks.
Recent storms in 2023 and 2024 led to widespread impacts across the County. In winter 2023, a federal disaster was declared for the state (DR-4699-CA), with city damages estimated at approximately $18 million. Flooding continues to pose a serious risk, and the City remains focused on stormwater system improvements, floodplain management, and resilience strategies to reduce vulnerabilities to future flood events.
Values at Risk
A flood vulnerability assessment was completed, following the methodology described in Section 5.2 of the Base Plan. Table D-12 summarizes 1% (100-year) annual chance and 0.2% (500-year) annual chance floodplains. The table also details total values, loss estimates for each flood, and potential population at risk to each flooding zone.
Figure D-4 shows the flooded parcels along with the FEMA flood hazard areas which cross the boundaries of Morro Bay.
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-19 Table D-12 City of Morro Bay 1% Annual Chance (100-Year) and 0.2% Annual Chance (500- Year) Flooding by Population and Parcel Type
PARCEL TYPE PARCEL
COUNT
IMPROVED
VALUE
CONTENT
VALUE
TOTAL VALUE LOSS ESTIMATE POPULATION
1% ANNUAL CHANCE (100-YEAR) FLOOD EVENT
Agricultural 1 $5,388 $5,388 $10,776 $2,694 - Commercial 30 $10,554,019 $10,554,019 $21,108,038 $5,277,010 - Industrial 7 $935,555 $1,403,333 $2,338,888 $584,722 - Mixed Use 7 $670,654 $670,654 $1,341,308 $335,327 - Mobile/Manufactured Homes
2 $439,279 $219,640 $658,919 $164,730 4
Multi-Family
Residential
4 $2,721,450 $1,360,725 $4,082,175 $1,020,544 9
Residential 104 $24,334,201 $12,167,101 $36,501,302 $9,125,325 227 Vacant Improved 3 $5,028,640 $0 $5,028,640 $1,257,160 - Total 158 $44,689,186 $26,380,859 $71,070,045 $17,767,511 240
0.2% ANNUAL CHANCE (500-YEAR) FLOOD EVENT
Commercial 4 $1,477,786 $1,477,786 $2,955,572 $738,893 - Exempt 2 $6,901,650 $6,901,650 $13,803,300 $3,450,825 - Industrial 1 $600,000 $900,000 $1,500,000 $375,000 - Mixed Use 1 $141,391 $141,391 $282,782 $70,696 - Multi-Family Residential
5 $3,037,141 $1,518,571 $4,555,712 $1,138,928 11
Residential 237 $47,282,121 $23,641,061 $70,923,182 $17,730,795 517 Vacant Improved 1 $8,129 $0 $8,129 $2,032 - Total 251 $59,448,218 $34,580,458 $94,028,676 $23,507,169 528 San Luis Obispo Assessor Data November 15, 2024, FEMA NFHL Effective Date 6/6/2024, WSP GIS Analysis
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-21 The City has substantial assets at risk to flooding in both the 1% and 0.2% annual chance floodplains. Within the 1% annual chance floodplain, there are 158 improved parcels with a total value of approximately $71 million. In the 0.2% annual chance floodplain, an additional 251 improved parcels are valued at approximately $94 million.
The estimated loss in a 1% annual chance flood is approximately $18 million, while a 0.2% annual chance flood could result in an estimated $24 million in damages. Commercial, residential, and multi-family residential properties make up the majority of assets exposed to flooding. Industrial and mixed-use properties also account for a notable share of at-risk structures.
It is important to note that some structures may be elevated above the base flood elevation, reducing their vulnerability to direct flood damage.
Population at Risk
Using parcel data and an average household size of 2.47 persons, the City of Morro Bay has approximately 240 people at risk within the 1% annual chance floodplain and about 528 people at risk within the 0.2% annual chance floodplain.
Residential exposure in the 0.2% annual chance floodplain is more significant, with most of the population at risk residing in single-family and multi-family residential properties. This highlights the importance of maintaining flood protection, emergency planning, and evacuation access for the city's most vulnerable communities.
Insurance Coverage, Claims Paid, and Repetitive Losses
The City joined the NFIP on December 18, 1979, The current effective map is dated May 16, 2017.
As of May 12, 2025, NFIP records show 97 active flood insurance policies in the City, totaling $31,298,000 in coverage. Of these, 40 policies are in A zones, and the rest are in B, C, or X zones.
Since joining the NFIP, the City has recorded 37 flood loss claims totaling $828,657. According to the OpenFEMA dataset accessed in 2024, the City includes three Repetitive Loss (RL) properties, and no Severe Repetitive Loss (SRL) properties. Two of the affected structures are categorized as single-family residential buildings, excluding mobile homes and units within multi-family buildings, and one is labeled as a single family residence.
Critical Facilities at Risk
The City has a number of critical facilities located within the 1% and 0.2% annual chance flood hazard areas. In total, 14 critical facilities are exposed to flood risk across both floodplains.
Within the 1% annual chance floodplain, 12 facilities are at risk, including 2 energy facilities, 9 transportation facilities, and 1 water system facility. In the 0.2% annual chance floodplain, 2 additional critical facilities are exposed: one categorized under food, hydration, and shelter, and another under safety and security.
The presence of energy, transportation, and public safety-related facilities in flood hazard areas increases the potential for widespread disruption during a major flood event, making targeted mitigation and preparedness planning for these assets a priority.
Table D-13 and Table D-14, below, summarize critical facilities exposed to the
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-22 Table D-13 Morro Bay Critical Facility Assets Exposed to FEMA Riverine 1% Flood Hazards by Jurisdictions and FEMA Lifelines
JURISDICTION COMMUNICATIONS ENERGY FOOD, HYDRATION, SHELTER HAZARDOUS MATERIAL HEALTH AND MEDICAL SAFETY AND SECURITY TRANSPORTATION WATER SYSTEMS TOTAL COUNT Morro Bay - 2 - - - - 9 1 12
Source: San Luis Obispo County, FEMA NFHL Effective Date 6/6/2024, CalARP, HIFLD, NBI, NID, FCWCD, WSP Analysis Table D-14 Morro Bay Critical Facility Assets Exposed to FEMA Riverine 0.2% Flood Hazards by Jurisdictions and FEMA Lifelines
JURISDICTION COMMUNICATIONS ENERGY FOOD, HYDRATION, SHELTER HAZARDOUS MATERIAL HEALTH AND MEDICAL SAFETY AND SECURITY TRANSPORTATION WATER SYSTEMS TOTAL COUNT Morro Bay - - 1 - - 1 - - 2
Source: San Luis Obispo County, FEMA NFHL Effective Date 6/6/2024, CalARP, HIFLD, NBI, NID, FCWCD, WSP Analysis D.3.3.7 Landslides and Debris Flow
A well-documented history of landslide activity in the study area is present. Landslides activity is observable all along the Highway 1 corridor from San Luis Obispo, through the community of Morro Bay, and on north to San Simeon. In 1983, and again in 1995, very wet winters led to significant slope movement in the North Morro Bay area, north of Highway 41 and east of Highway 1; a number of slides caused the total destruction of homes, considerable damage to others, and damage to pipelines, driveways, and roadways. Numerous studies have documented unstable, landslide prone slopes in the Morro Bay area generally east of Highway 1 and north of Highway 4. In July of 2020, a landslide of 13,000 cubic yards of soil at the site of caused a total of $1.13 million in damages.
A major landslide along the transportation routes in and out of the City of Morro Bay is a potential hazard to the heavily tourism-reliant economy. For example, in March of 2023 debris flow took down trees and powerlines and shut down three miles of Highway 41 from San Gabriel Road to Los Altos Road between Atascadero and Morro Bay.
Table D-15 summarizes the structure counts and values exposed to landslide potential areas in the city. Figure D-5 shows, in map form, where these landslide potential areas are in and near the city. Thirty four (34) critical facilities, including 1 health and medical building in a high potential zone, are located within the landslide potential areas in Morro Bay as shown on Table D-15. Overall, landslide and debris flow hazards pose a Medium Significance risk to the City of Morro Bay. Some people are located in these areas as indicated in the table, though public safety direct impacts have been less significant.
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-23 Table D-15 Improved Properties Exposed to Landslide Potential in Morro Bay
PROPERTY TYPE STRUCTUR
E COUNT
IMPROVED
VALUE
ESTIMATED
CONTENT
VALUE
TOTAL
VALUE
POPULATIO
N
Agricultural 0 $0 $0 $0 - Commercial 17 $18,604,559 $18,604,559 $37,209,118 - Exempt 4 $3,885,380 $3,885,380 $7,770,760 - Industrial 1 $520,200 $780,300 $1,300,500 - Mining 0 $0 $0 $0 - Mixed Use 32 $11,269,553 $11,269,553 $22,539,106 - Mobile/Manufactured Homes 4 $475,278 $237,639 $712,917 9 Multi-Family Residential 34 $12,212,193 $6,106,097 $18,318,290 74 Residential 1,015 $289,621,80
8 $144,810,90
4 $434,432,71
2 2,213
Vacant Improved 4 $845,422 $0 $845,422 - Total 1,112 $337,434,39 3 $185,694,43
2 $523,128,82
5 2,296
San Luis Obispo Assessor Data November 15, 2024, WSP GIS Analysis Table D-16 Critical Facility Assets Exposed to Landslide Potential
LANDSLIDE POTENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS ENERGY FOOD, HYDRATION, SHELTER HAZARDOUS MATERIAL HEALTH AND MEDICAL SAFETY AND SECURITY TRANSPORTATION WATER SYSTEMS TOTAL COUNT High - - - - 1 - - - 1
Low 4 2 1 - 3 8 12 3 33
Total 34
Source: San Luis Obispo County, CalARP, HIFLD, NBI, NID, FCWCD, WSP Analysis
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-25 D.3.3.8 Coastal Storm/Coastal Erosion/Sea Level Rise
The City of Morro Bay faces a High Significance of risk from coastal storm events, coastal erosion, and sea level rise (SLR). The City's coastline, including sandy beaches, dunes, coastal bluffs, and key infrastructure like the Embarcadero Waterfront and Highway 1, is highly exposed to these hazards. Mo
hubs, and natural assets such as Morro Rock and the Morro Bay Sandspit are particularly vulnerable.
Coastal hazards such as inundation, bluff and dune erosion, tidal flooding, and extreme wave action have historically impacted the City. Large winter storms can damage beach access points, infrastructure, and the harbor entrance jetties, while more routine seasonal erosion affects the beach and dune systems. Although the northern beaches are somewhat buffered by natural sand dunes, intense winter surf and extreme weather events continue to pose threats to public infrastructure and ecological assets.
Recent assessments, including the 2018 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Strategy and the California State Lands Commission AB691 study, highlight the increasing risks. Vulnerable built facilities include the Embarcadero Waterfront, wastewater and storm drainage facilities, desalination plants, telecommunications infrastructure, Fire Stations 53 and 54, and key fishing industry infrastructure such as docks and piers. Natural assets such as Morro Rock, Morro Sand Dunes, and critical habitats like the Heron Rookery and eelgrass beds are also at risk.
The AB691 study emphasized that even moderate sea level rise scenarios (one to two feet by mid-century) will increase the exposure of key infrastructure. Without proactive adaptation, losses from erosion, inundation, and extreme weather could significantly impact the local economy and environment. Specific vulnerabilities include the loss of access to Highway 1, flooding of harbor facilities, and impacts to tourism-dependent assets.
Adaptation and mitigation strategies recommended for Morro Bay include improving existing revetments along Highway 1, extending sand dunes for protection, elevating Highway 1 and storm drain infrastructure, improving dock resiliency, and planning for strategic retreat where necessary. The City recognizes that early action, including nature-based solutions and infrastructure upgrades, will be critical to maintaining community resilience.
While much of the waterfront and supporting facilities are currently elevated above immediate flood risks, extreme sea level rise scenarios (66 inches by 2100) could overwhelm existing -looking planning efforts aim to reduce vulnerabilities and maintain a sustainable coastline under future conditions.
As part of the 2019 HMP planning effort, a sea level rise risk assessment was completed to determine how sea level rise may affect coastal jurisdictions and critical facilities and how coastal flooding might be exacerbated in the future. Table D-17 lists the critical facilities that would be affected by sea level rise. There is no risk until the 300 cm scenario; facilities identified include the Morro Bay High School, the power plant and a PG&E substation. Table D-17 Morro Bay and Table D-18 summarize the other properties at risk of inundation by sea level rise and sea level rise combined with a 1% annual chance coastal flood. The area of inundation by sea level rise and sea level rise combined with the 1% coastal flood are shown Figure D-6 and Figure D-7 in, respectively. See Section 5.3.4 Coastal Storm/Coastal Erosion/Sea Level Rise in the base plan for more details on the scenarios and data sources used for this analysis.
Table D-17 and Table D-18 summarize the number of Morro Bay properties and associated improved values projected to be inundated under sea level rise scenarios alone and under sea level rise combined with the 1% annual chance coastal flood scenario. Sea level rise modeling for Morro Bay shows minimal impacts under lower sea level rise scenarios but increasing
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-26 vulnerability at higher levels. No properties are impacted under the 25-centimeter sea level rise scenario, and only one commercial property is affected under the 75-centimeter scenario.
Under the 300-centimeter sea level rise scenario, 32 parcels are at risk, including commercial, industrial, mixed-use, residential, and vacant improved properties.
When sea level rise is combined with a 1% annual chance flood, the number of affected parcels rises to 98 under the 300-centimeter scenario. This includes 74 residential parcels, 17 commercial parcels, 3 mixed-use parcels, 2 industrial parcels, 1 exempt property, and 1 vacant improved parcel.
The total improved property value exposed under the 300-centimeter sea level rise scenario alone is approximately $29.2 million. When combined with a 1% annual chance flood, this exposure increases to approximately $70.8 million. Assets at risk include key commercial properties, residential neighborhoods, industrial sites, mixed-use developments, and critical government and utility infrastructure, highlighting the significant vulnerability of Morro Bay to future sea level rise and combined flooding scenarios.
Table D-17 Morro Bay Properties Inundated by Sea Level Rise and Sea Level Rise with 1% Annual Chance Flood
PROPERTY TYPE 25-CM
SLR
75-CM
SLR
300-CM
SLR
25-CM SLR
W/ 1%
FLOOD
75-CM SLR
W/ 1%
FLOOD
300-CM
SLR W/ 1%
FLOOD
Commercial - 1 16 1 3 17
Exempt - - - - - 1
Industrial - - 2 - - 2
Mixed Use - - 3 - - 3
Residential - - 10 1 1 74
Vacant Improved - - 1 - - 1
Total 0 1 32 2 4 98
Source: San Luis Obispo County Assessor Data November 15, 2024, USGS CoSMoS v3.1, WSP GIS Analysis Table D-18 Morro Bay Improved Values of Properties Inundated by Sea Level Rise and Sea Level Rise with 1% Annual Chance Flood
PROPERTY TYPE 25-CM
SLR
75-CM
SLR
300-CM SLR 25-CM
SLR W/
1%
FLOOD
75-CM SLR
W/ 1%
FLOOD
300-CM SLR
W/ 1%
FLOOD
Commercial - $431,766 $18,232,774 $431,766 $9,499,096 $20,768,623 Exempt - - - - - $6,760,042
Industrial - - $79,448 - - $79,448
Mixed Use - - $1,704,221 - - $1,704,221
Residential - - $4,210,663 $301,705 $301,705 $36,481,451 Vacant Improved - - $5,000,000 - - $5,000,000
Total $0 $431,766 $29,227,106 $733,471 $9,800,801 $70,793,785 Source: San Luis Obispo County Assessor Data November 15, 2024, USGS CoSMoS v3.1, WSP GIS Analysis
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-29 Table D-19 shows critical facilities exposed to sea level rise under both flood and no-flood scenarios.
Table D-19 Critical Facility Assets Exposed to Sea Level Rise for Flood and No Flood Scenarios FEMA LIFELINE 25-CM
SLR
75-CM
SLR
300-CM
SLR
25-CM SLR
W/ 1%
FLOOD
75-CM SLR
W/ 1%
FLOOD
300-CM
SLR W/ 1%
FLOOD
Communications - - - - - - Energy - - 2 - - 2
Food, Hydration, Shelter - - 1 - - 1
Hazardous Material - - - - - - Health and Medical - - - - - - Safety and Security - - 1 - - 1 Transportation 2 1 7 2 2 8
Water Systems - - 1 - - Total 2 1 12 2 2 12
Source: San Luis Obispo County, USGS CoSMoS v3.1, CalARP, HIFLD, NBI, NID, WSP Analysis Critical facility exposure to sea level rise in Morro Bay is limited under lower sea level rise scenarios but increases notably under more extreme conditions. No critical facilities are affected under the 25 or 75 centimeter scenarios except for minor impacts to transportation infrastructure. At 300 centimeters of sea level rise, 12 critical facilities become exposed, including energy, food, safety, transportation, and water system assets.
When sea level rise is combined with a 1% annual chance coastal flood, the number of affected critical facilities increases to 13, primarily impacting transportation and key utility services. This highlights the growing threat to essential infrastructure under future sea level rise and flood conditions
D.3.3.9 Tsunami
Tsunami hazards have been rated as high significance for the City of Morro Bay. Tsunami inundation poses a risk to all coastal communities in the County of San Luis Obispo including Morro Bay. Offshore faults and related seismic activity could generate a tsunami event off the coast of Morro Bay, even if the fault rupture occurs thousands of miles away. Historically, significant tsunamis on the Central Coast of California have been infrequent. Only a few incidences have been recorded, and the historical record is not extensive enough to develop an accurate prediction for the pattern of recurrence. The potential tsunami hazard for the coastal areas is greatest for those communities or portions of communities that are located at or below 50 feet above mean sea level. In general, much of the Coast of Morro Bay is protected from tsunami hazards by wide beaches, coastal dunes, or sea cliffs that provide protection for coastal developments. Coastal developments most vulnerable to the tsunami hazards are those located near mouths of streams that drain into the Pacific Ocean, such as Morro and Chorro Creeks, the Morr Bay Estuary, and stretches of land between Highway 1 and the ocean. The potential for damage to coastal structures would likely increase if the tsunami event were to coincide with a high tide, storm related waves, or large winter storm runoff.
Tsunami hazards are predicted in the following locations within the City of Morro Bay: Morro Creek, Alva Paul Creek, Chorro Creek, Atascadero Beach, the harbor area, and Embarcadero.
A GIS analysis performed on the parcels and the tsunami inundation layers determined that 638 structures with an estimated total value of over $378.5 million are at risk of this hazard and approximately 1,200 people. This is almost double the number of structures identified at risk in the previous plan. See Table D-20 for a summary of the parcel count, improved values, content values, total values, and population at risk of tsunami inundation. Figure D-8 displays these tsunami inundation areas of the city.
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-30 Critical Facilities were also overlaid with the tsunami inundation layers in GIS. This analysis yielded a total of 17 facilities found at risk, the majority of these being within the Transportation Community Lifeline. These are listed in Table D-21.
Table D-20 City of Morro Bay Improved Properties Exposed to Tsunami Hazard Areas by Property Type
PROPERTY TYPE
STRUCTURE
COUNT
IMPROVED
VALUE
ESTIMATED
CONTENT
VALUE TOTAL VALUE POPULATION
Commercial 52 $29,228,663 $29,228,663 $58,457,326 - Exempt 1 $6,760,042 $6,760,042 $13,520,084 - Industrial 10 $2,785,061 $4,177,592 $6,962,653 - Mixed Use 16 $4,377,913 $4,377,913 $8,755,826 - Mobile/Manufactured Homes
2 $439,279 $219,640 $658,919 4
Multi-Family
Residential
15 $7,306,990 $3,653,495 $10,960,485 33
Residential 536 $182,188,523 $91,094,262 $273,282,785 1,168 Vacant Improved 6 $5,883,038 $0 $5,883,038 - Total 638 $238,969,50 9 $139,511,606 $378,481,115 1,206
Source: San Luis Obispo Assessor Data November 15, 2024, California Geological Survey, Dept. of Conservation, WSP GIS Analysis Table D-21 Critical Facility Assets Exposed to Tsunami Hazard Areas by FEMA Lifelines, City of Morro Bay
FEMA LIFELINE CATEGORY NUMBER OF FACILITIES
Communications 0
Energy 2
Food, Hydration, Shelter 1
Hazardous Materials 0
Health and Medical 0
Safety and Security 2
Transportation 11
Water Systems 1
TOTAL 17
Source: San Luis Obispo County, California Geological Survey, Dept. of Conservation, CalARP, HIFLD, NBI, NID, WSP Analysis
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-32 D.3.3.10Wildfire
Weather plays a key factor in the wildland fire potential in Morro Bay. Rain fall occurs primarily between the months of November and April, and ranges between 20 to 25 inches per year.
Summers are typically cool with fog or high humidity the norm. Wind in the area, a key factor in spread, is quite predictable and is usually moisture laden due to the close proximity of the ocean. Fall season typically shows drier and warmer days, which combine with the lack of rainfall to increase the fire hazard threat. Despite the temperate climate in the City, the lack of rainfall can lead to an increase in fire hazard threat. Fuel sources in the Morro Bay area are diverse, including everything from dead tree leaves, twigs, and branches to dead standing trees, live trees, brush, and cured grasses. The type of prevalent fuel directly influences the behavior of wildfire has identified hazardous trees as potentially increasing fuel sources.
Wildland fires are common occurrences in San Luis Obispo County. The most significant wildland fires within the county have been located in the northern division of the Los Padres National Forest. In 1994, a 49,000-acre fire burned forestland from the western portion of Morro Bay to Morro Bay. In 1996, 106,000 acres burned in the Machesna Mountain Wilderness area southeast of the City before the fire was contained. A little over one year later, a 30,000- acre wildland fire burned in forestland in the southern portion of San Luis Obispo County. The largest historical wildfire in the City limits of Morro Bay was contained to approximately seven acres. The open lands in and adjoining the City have been categorized by the California ssment Program (FRAP), as
being of a Medium Fire Hazard. The areas that are at risk from a large-scale wildland fire are mostly located on the edge of the City limits. These "fringe" areas are where there is the most potential for a wild fire to cause significant property damage, however most of these lands are grazed by cattle and the fuel loads are kept to a minimum. The neighborhoods bordering the Morro Bay State Park and Black Hill area also constitute wildfire urban interface problem.
Following the methodology described in the wildfire hazard Section 5.3.15 Wildfire of the Base Plan, along with the GIS parcel analysis discussed in more detail under Section 5.2 Asset Summary, a wildfire vulnerability analysis for the City of Morro Bay was completed. However, wildfire High Significance
In the City of Morro Bay, 2,354 properties are situated within wildfire hazard exposure zones ranging from moderate to very high. Of these 468 are located in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, while 505 properties fall within the High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Collectively, these properties represent a total assessed value of $994,867,559 and impact approximately 4,859 residents across all fire hazard severity zones. Table D-22 shows the properties in the City exposed to Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Figure D-8 depicts the Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the City of Morro Bay.
STRUCTURE
COUNT VERY HIGH
STRUCTURE
COUNT HIGH
STRUCTURE
COUNT
MODERATE
TOTAL STRUCTURE
COUNT
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-35 Table D-23 shows critical facilities in Morro Bay that are exposed to fire hazard severity zones, categorizing them by fire hazards severity zone level and facility type. The exposure of these critical assets to wildfire hazards poses significant risks to transportation. The table below shows that a total of twenty six (26) critical facilities exposed to fire hazard severity zones, four (4) of which fall in the very high fire hazard severity zone rating, sixteen (16) are exposed to a high fire hazard severity.
Table D-23 Critical Facilities Assets Exposed to Fire Hazard Severity Zones FIRE
HAZARD
SEVERITY
ZONE COMMUNICATIONS ENERGY FOOD, HYDRATION, SHELTER HAZARDOUS MATERIAL HEALTH AND MEDICAL SAFETY AND SECURITY TRANSPORTATION WATER SYSTEMS TOTAL COUNT Very High - - - - 1 - 1 2 4
High 1 - 1 - 4 6 4 - 16
Moderate - - - - - 2 4 - 6
Total 1 0 1 0 5 8 9 2 26
Source: San Luis Obispo County, CAL FIRE - FHSZ Phase 3 March 10, 2025, CalARP, HIFLD, NBI, NID, WSP Analysis D.3.3.11 Human Caused: Hazardous Materials
The City of Morro Bay is at risk of both hazardous material incidents at fixed facilities as well as considered a major transportation route for shipping hazardous materials. An incident along this Highway would expose a as well as the local
economy if Highway 101 was to be shut down for an extended period of time.
The Cal OES Spill Release Reporting Center reports 15 hazardous materials incidents in the City of Morro Bay from January 1, 2019 through December 20th, 2024. This likely excludes a number of unreported minor spills. The 46 reported incidents constitutes 10.2% of the hazardous materials incidents reported countywide during the same time frame and averages out to roughly 7.66 incidents per year. The Although there are no significant hazardous materials facilities located in the City, Morro Bay sits within the Emergency Planning Zone for the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant. Overall, the planning team has classified Hazardous Materials as holding medium Significance for the jurisdiction.
D.4 Capability Assessment
Capabilities are the programs and policies currently in use to reduce hazard impacts or that could be used to implement hazard mitigation activities. This capability assessment is divided into five sections: regulatory mitigation capabilities, administrative and technical mitigation capabilities, fiscal mitigation capabilities, mitigation outreach and partnerships, and other mitigation efforts.
To develop this capability assessment, the jurisdictional planning representatives used a matrix of common mitigation activities to inventory which of these policies or programs were in place.
The team then supplemented this inventory by reviewing additional existing policies, regulations, plans, and programs to determine if they contributed to reducing hazard-related losses.
During the plan update process, this inventory was reviewed by the jurisdictional planning representatives and WSP consultant team staff to update information where applicable and
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-36 note ways in which these capabilities have improved or expanded. In summarizing current capabilities and identifying gaps, the jurisdictional planning representatives also considered their ability to expand or improve upon existing policies and programs as potential new mitigation strategies. The City of updated capabilities are summarized below in Table D-24.
D.4.1 Regulatory Mitigation Capabilities
Table D-24 City of Morro Bay Regulatory Mitigation Capabilities
REGULATORY TOOL
(ORDINANCES, CODES, PLANS)
Yes/No 2025 COMMENTS OR OPPORTUNITIES TO
IMPROVE/EXPAND
General Plan Yes
California Coastal Commission (CCC) on August 12, 2021.
Zoning ordinance Yes
by the CCC on March 12, 2024. This is in Title 17 of the CMC.
Subdivision ordinance Yes Title 16 of the CMC.
Growth management ordinance Yes Ordinance No. 266
Floodplain ordinance Yes MBMC Chapter 14.72
Other special purpose ordinance
(stormwater, steep slope, wildfire)
Yes MBMC Chapter 14.48 building Regulations: Illicit
Discharge and Stormwater Management Control,
13.04.345 Mandatory Water Conservation Requirements
Ordinance under Emergency Water levels.
Building code and Type/Year Yes 2022 California Building Code, MBMC Chapter 14.03 Building Code Effectiveness
Grading System and Rating (if
applicable)
Yes NEW
Fire department ISO rating Yes 3/3x
Erosion or sediment control
program
Yes Erosion and Sediment Control Manual
Stormwater management
program
Yes MBMC Chapter 14.48 Illicit Discharge and Stormwater Management Control
Site plan review requirements Yes MBMC Chapter 17.38.080 Design Review Criteria Capital improvements plan Yes One Water plan
Economic development plan Yes Economic Development Roadmap Local emergency operations plan Yes MBMC chapter 8.08.080 Emergency Plan Other special plans Yes Downton Waterfront Strategic Plan, Local Coastal Plan, - more available online Flood insurance study or other
engineering study for streams
Yes Morro Creek Flood Analysis Addendum, WWTP Flood
hazard Analysis, Plan Morro Bay Coastal Resources and
Resiliency update
Elevation certificates (for
floodplain development)
Yes MBMC 14.72.050 - Provisions for flood hazard reduction
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-37 D.4.1.1 Discussion on Existing Building Codes, Land Use and Development Regulations
The Morro Bay City Community Development Department is responsible for implementing the Building and Construction Code, Title 14 of the City of Morro Bay Municipal Code. The Building and Construction Code addresses hazard-specific issues, such as soil-related hazards, seismicity, and flood inundation. The City Community Development Department is also responsible for implementing the City General Plan, Local Coastal Program, Zoning Code, Subdivision Ordinance, and Building Code. These regulations address hazard specific issues, including flooding, tsunami inundation, seismicity, geologic hazards, fire hazards, etc.
Additionally, the City of Morro Bay received a Local Coastal Program planning grant from the updated since it was first adopted in 1996. This initiative will include an update to the level rise projections, a coastal hazards vulnerability assessment, and a sea level rise adaptation plan, which will include strategies such as elevating waterfront infrastructure to avoid inundation.
D.4.2 Administrative/Technical Mitigation Capabilities
Table D-25 identifies the personnel responsible for activities related to mitigation and loss prevention in Morro Bay.
Table D-25 City of Morro Bay Administrative/Technical Mitigation Capabilities PERSONNEL RESOURCES Yes/No DEPARTMENT/POSITION OR 2024
CHANGES/OPPORTUNITIES
Planner/engineer with knowledge of land
development/land management practices
Yes Planning Manager
Cindy Cecil, City Engineer
Engineer/professional trained in construction
practices related to buildings and/or
infrastructure
Yes Chad Ouimet, Chief Building Inspector
Pamela Newman, Associate Engineer
Matt Bishop, Public Works Inspector
Planner/engineer/scientist with an
understanding of natural hazards
Yes Planning Manager
Personnel skilled in GIS Yes Mike Brannagan, GIS Contractor (Terra Solutions)
Full time building official Yes Airlin Singewald, Community Development Director
Floodplain manager Yes Public Works
Emergency manager Yes Yvonne Kimball, City Manager
Grant writer Yes Administrative Services
Other personnel
GIS Data Resources (Hazard areas, critical
facilities, land use, building footprints, etc.)
Yes Mike Brannagan, GIS Contractor (Terra
Solutions)
Warning Systems/Services (Reverse 9-1-1, cable
override, outdoor warning signals)
Yes Partnered with SLO County OES for
evacuation zone management, reverse
911, Morro Bay PD Messaging boards for
public notification
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-38 D.4.3 Fiscal Mitigation Capabilities
In order to achieve the goals and objectives of the Mitigation Strategy, one or more of the following funding sources could be utilized: federal and state entitlements and grants, 58 general fund, sales and property taxes, infrastructure user fees, impact fees, and new development impact fees. The City of Morro Bay has the necessary budgetary tools and practices in place to facilitate handling appropriate funds; however, funding sources are very limited. Table A.16 identifies financial tools or resources that the City could potentially use to help fund mitigation activities.
Table D-26 City of Morro Bay Fiscal Mitigation Capabilities FINANCIAL RESOURCES Accessible/Eligible
to Use (Yes/No)
Community Development Block Grants Yes
Capital improvements project funding Yes
Authority to levy taxes for specific purposes Yes
Fees for water, sewer, gas, or electric services Yes
Impact fees for new development Yes
Incur debt through general obligation bonds Yes
Incur debt through special tax bonds Yes
Incur debt through private activities No
Withhold spending in hazard prone areas No
D.4.4 Mitigation Outreach and Partnerships
The County of San Luis Obispo conducted community outreach within the City limits to receive feedback from stakeholders on outlined mitigation strategies within the SLO County MultiJurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
The City of Morro Bay maintains partnerships with the local Morro Bay, Fire, Police, and Harbor Departments to provide daily, long-term services required under the LHMP and the SLO County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
services are provided by the City of Morro Bay Fire Department (MBFD), a fire and emergency service organization. As of May 2025, MBFD is staffed by 13 full time professional firefighters, 1 Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal, 1 Administrative Assistant, and up to 4 seasonal Firefighter. The City of Morro Bay Police Department (MBPD) provides law enforcement services for the City. MBPD is staffed at 17 sworn officers including the Chief and Commander and one reserve officer, for a ratio of 1.7 officers per 1,000 residents. The Harbor Department of the City of Morro Bay provides a high level of service in community education (water safety programs), public outreach, and community relations for boaters, beach users, and waterfront visitors. The Harbor Department is also involved with resource management
resources including coordination with state and federal regulatory agencies.
Table D-27 City of Morro Bay Mitigation Outreach and Partnerships CAPABILITY TYPE Yes/No NOTES
Hazard Awareness/Education
Campaigns
Yes Holiday fire safety information,
public outreach campaigns,
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-39 CAPABILITY TYPE Yes/No NOTES
disaster preparedness
information.
Firewise No
Storm Ready No
Severe Weather Awareness
Week
No
School programs Yes Fire Prevention week activities,
AARBF Burn Relay
Other
Methods Used to Communicate
Hazard Info. to the Public
Yes Social media, City Website,
Local News Yes
Social media Yes Facebook, Instagram
Community Newsletters Yes City Managers monthly
newsletter
Utility Bill Inserts Yes Hazard fuel reduction notices
Community Events Yes
Other
Organizations that represent or
work with underserved or
vulnerable communities
Yes Partnership with 805 Street
Outreach, CAPSLO for homeless
outreach, showers, warming
services, and supplies
American Red Cross Yes Evacuation shelter assistance
Salvation Army No
Veterans Groups No
Environmental/Conservation
Groups
No
Homeowner/Neighborhood
Associations
No
Chamber of Commerce Yes
Community Organizations
(Lions, Kiwanis, etc.)
Yes
D.4.5 National Flood Insurance Program
In the City of Morro Bay, the City Engineer, in the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department, is designated as the Floodplain Administrator (FPA) as noted in Morro Bay Municipal Code 14.72.040 B.
overseen the participation of the Community Rating System (CRS) for the National flood Insurance Program (NFIP) with the initial Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) date from 1979. The city consistently adopts the latest effective Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) provided by FEMA, updating local floodplain management practices to align with newly identified flood risks. This helps to ensure the community is aware of the most recent flood hazard data for planning and development purposes. Local floodplain management regulations are actively implemented and enforced by the City Engineer to regulate and permit development within SFHAs. This includes reviewing construction and land use permits to confirm compliance with
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-40 elevation, structural, and zoning requirements aimed at reducing flood risk to properties and residents.
Following flood or other damage events, the jurisdiction enforces substantial improvement/substantial damage provisions by evaluating damaged properties to determine if they meet thresholds requiring them to comply with updated floodplain management standards. If substantial damage is determined, properties must undergo upgrades to meet current floodplain standards before they can be repaired or rebuilt. This process helps to reduce future risk by ensuring that post-event repairs and reconstructions contribute to longterm flood resilience.
Insurance Program can be found in Table D-28 below.
Table D-28 The City of Morro Bay National Flood Insurance Program Participation
NFIP TOPIC COMMENTS
Regulation
Does the Community
Participate in the NFIP?
Yes.
How does the community
enforce local floodplain
regulations and monitor
compliance?
The City of Morro Bay enforces floodplain regulations through the review of plans and associated documents submitted as part of the building permit application. Compliance and monitoring of floodplain regulations is enforced through the inspection process performed after a building permit has been issued.
Do floodplain development
regulations meet or exceed
FEMA or state minimum
requirements? If so, in what
ways?
state requirements with an additional freeboard of two feet above the established base flood elevation (BFE), from the lowest floor.
Explain the permitting process. The Engineering Division of the Public Works Department reviews development projects and floodplain related documents. However, the building permit plans, and fee intakes are coordinated by the Community Development Department. The Building Permit
Technician uploads and routes plans in a permitting tracking system. All new and substantially improved development projects require the submittal of a completed Construction Drawing Elevation Certificate (EC). The Engineering Division reviews the plans, EC and associated documents to ensure applicable building codes, development ordinances and engineering standards are met.
After plans are approved and building permits are issued, the Public Works/Engineering Inspector performs construction inspections, including the installation of any flood related requirements. A Final Construction Elevation Certificate and Floodproofing Certificate (if applicable) must be submitted, reviewed, and approved prior to a final project approval and Certificate of Occupancy issuance.
Compliance History
Are there any outstanding
compliance issues? (i.e., current
violations)?
None
Does the community intend to
continue to comply with NFIP
requirements?
Recertification in July 2024.
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-41
NFIP TOPIC COMMENTS
How does the community
identify substantially
damaged/improved structures?
What is the process to make
sure these structures are
brought into compliance postdisaster event?
Substantial damage is identified by an inspection from the Community Building Official and cost estimator to determine if the sustained flood damage to a structure will cost 50% or more of the -damage market value to rebuild and comply with
City, state and FEMA requirements. A Substantial Damage letter is provided to the property owner to submit with the insurance claim.
The submittal and review process of a building permit application ensures the rebuild will comply with the floodplain requirements.
Staff Resources
Please note the department
and position responsible for
floodplain management.
Do they serve any roles other
than Community Floodplain
Administrator (FPA)?
The City Engineer, in the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department, is designated as the Floodplain Administrator (FPA) as noted in Morro Bay Municipal Code 14.72.040 B. The City Engineer has many roles in addition to Floodplain Administration.
Explain NFIP administration
services (e.g., permit review, GIS,
inspections, engineering
capability).
As a participant in the NFIP, the city uses physical copies and on-line GIS system of the current flood maps. This information is used when residents visit our department counters, email or call us with questions regarding flood zone issues, flood insurance inquiries, and updated to include all new and improved developments, updated infrastructure, stormwater management, all map revisions and map amendments. Our database of elevation certificates, Letter of Map Revisions, new development flood related information, and NFIP We keep a log record of phone calls, emails and in person flood related inquiries and use our database information and maps to answer questions and provide documents, maps and other related information.
What are the barriers to running
an effective NFIP program in the
community, if any?
An increase in the percentage of insurance discount rates to participating communities and/or additional Federal and State funding would incentivize private property owners within a flood zone to potentially rebuild to comply with current floodplain development regulations. The financial barrier to rebuild within an established flood zone limits the effectiveness of the NFIP program.
Community Rating System (CRS)
Does the community
participate in CRS? If so, what is
the community's CRS Class
Ranking?
Yes, the City of Morro Bay has participated in the Community Rating System (CRS) since 2013 with a current class ranking of 7.
What categories and activities
provide CRS points, and how
can the class be improved?
The City of Morro Bay obtained a total community credit calculation of 1616 through verification of the following activities: Elevation Certificates (310), Map Information Service (320), Outreach Projects (330), Hazard Disclosure (340), Flood Protection Information (350), Open Space Preservation (420), Higher Regulatory Standards (430), Flood Data Maintenance (440), and Stormwater Management (450).
Due to the development size and open space of the city, the increase of the class rating is highly limited.
Does the plan include CRS
planning requirements?
No.
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-42 D.4.6 Other Mitigation Efforts
The City of Morro Bay is completing a Community Risk Assessment and Standards of Cover Survey for Fire and Police services to evaluate service levels related to a community risk profile.
The Fire Department is evaluating renovation and replacement options for Fire Station #2 in North Morro Bay. This station would help to ensure access to emergency services in North Morro Bay in the event of floods and other disasters such as the storms in January and March of 2023 that closed Main Street and Highway 1.
The city relocated its wastewater plant away from the coastline where it was vulnerable to flooding, sea level rise and tsunami. This new Water Resources Center has been operational since October 2022, just a few short months after the city experienced flooding and the old Wastewater plant was 3 to 4 feet underwater. This new facility not only solved the disaster potential of the wastewater plant flooding but also addresses future water needs with the addition of the advanced water treatment facility. This phase of the project is projected to be completed by Fall 2026.
The City of Morro Bay also received two CalOES grants to address protection of critical facilities.
The scope of the first grant includes hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) analysis of the watershed and existing storm drain system, performing an alternatives analysis and a benefit cost analysis, developing preliminary design and engineering plans for the preferred alternative and There was damage to the pump at this facility during the 2023 storms and flooding. The second grant scope includes conducting a hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) analysis of the Morro Creek Watershed, develop a watershed management plan, analyze alternatives, and design for the preferred alternative and environmental reviews and permitting.
The City of Morro Bay has multiple other plans and initiatives that help with hazard mitigation and resource planning and management. These include:
One Water Plan
The purpose of the One Water Plan is to update the previous master plans, conduct an analysis storm drainage systems, to develop feasible alternatives to correct these deficiencies, and to plan the infrastructure that will serve future development through the year 2040.
Local Road Safety Plan
The Local Roadway Safety Plan (LRSP) will identify areas for roadway and safety improvements on local roads. The City has received grant funding from Caltrans to conduct this plan, which will develop potential safety improvement projects for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists and in turn, make the City eligible for future state roadway safety funding.
Water Resources Center
The Morro Bay Water Resources Center provides wastewater treatment on behalf of the communities of Morro Bay and Cayucos. The treatment plant is designated as a Class III Biofiltration Plant by the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Morro Bay Fire Department
The Morro Bay Fire Department continuously reviews its current Insurance Service Office (ISO) Class 3 rating. The ratings calculate how well-equipped fire departments are to put out fires in that community. The ISO provides this score, often called the "ISO fire score," to homeowners insurance companies. The insurers then use it to help set homeowners insurance rates. The more well-equipped your fire department is to put out a fire, the less likely your house is to burn down. And that makes your home less risky, and therefore less expensive, to insure.
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-43 D.4.7 Opportunities for Enhancement
Based on the capability assessment, the City of Morro Bay has several existing mechanisms in place that help to mitigate hazards. There are also opportunities for the City to expand or improve on these policies and programs to further protect the community. Future improvements may include providing training for staff members related to hazards or hazard mitigation grant funding in partnership with the County and Cal OES. Additional training opportunities will help to inform City staff members on how best to integrate hazard information and mitigation projects into their departments. Continuing to train City staff on mitigation and the hazards that pose a risk to the City of Morro Bay will lead to more informed staff members who can better communicate this information to the public.
D.5 Mitigation Strategy
D.5.1 Mitigation Goals and Objectives
Hazard Mitigation Planning Group determined the goals from the base plan are appropriate for this plan update. The 2025
mitigation goals:
Strengthen risk reduction and resilience by minimizing risks to life, property, infrastructure, and the environment through comprehensive, community-wide strategies.
Boost outreach and capacity to improve disaster resilience for vulnerable communities.
Promote regional collaboration to reduce hazard vulnerability and strengthen community resilience.
Reduce injury, loss of life, and damage to critical facilities and infrastructure from natural hazards.
Enhance public education and engagement to boost awareness and preparedness for natural, human-health, and human-caused hazards.
Use the best science and data to guide resilience efforts and prioritize mitigation projects for natural hazards and climate change impacts.
D.5.1.1 Continued Compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program The City has been an NFIP participating community since 1979. In addition to the mitigation actions identified herein the City will continue to comply with the NFIP. This includes ongoing activities such as enforcing local floodplain development regulations, including issuing permits for appropriate development in Special Flood Hazard Areas, and ensuring that this development mitigated in accordance with the regulations. This will also include periodic reviews of the floodplain ordinance to ensure that it is clear and up to date and reflects new or revised flood hazard mapping.
D.5.2 Progress on 2019 Mitigation Actions
During the 2025 planning process the City of Morro Bay Planning Team reviewed all the mitigation actions from the previous LHMP. The review indicated the city has completed six mitigation actions since 2019 and has made continued progress in implementing mitigation The completed actions have
reduced vulnerability to hazards and increased local capability to implement additional mitigation actions. Table D-29 below show the mitigation actions that have been completed or deleted since 2019.
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-44 Table D-29 City of Morro Bay Completed or Deleted Mitigation Actions 2019
ACTION
ID
HAZARD(S)
ADDRESSED
MITIGATION ACTION TITLE LEAD AGENCY ACTION
STATUS
NOTES
MB.15 Flood Amend the Municipal Code to
require flood risk disclosure and
active acknowledgment of
expanded flood risk in property
purchases/turnovers.
Community
Development
Completed
MBMC
14.72.010 C.7
MB.16 Flood Require new development in the
Sea Level Rise Hazard Overlay
Zone to evaluate potential impacts
to adjacent or nearby properties
from all proposed structural flood
protection measures to ensure
that these measures will not
create adverse direct and/or
cumulative on-site or off-site
impacts.
Community
Development
Completed- Flood zone
ordinance city
safety
elements
MB.17 Flood Continue to adopt and enforce the
most up-to-date California
Building Standards Code and
California Fire Code, with
appropriate local amendments.
Community
Development; Fire
Completed
update triannually. Last
update
implemented
January 1,
2023
MB.19 Flood During Development Review,
determine if any structures meant
for human habitation are to be
constructed within the 100-year
floodplain or in the Sea Level Rise
Hazard Overlay Zone. If necessary,
evaluate each structure's safety
from flood and sea level rise
related hazards, and recommend
remedial actions.
Development
Standards/Community
Development
Completed,
required by
code and
morro Bay
General plan.
MB.5 Agricultural
Pest
Infestation
and Plant
Disease/
Marine
Invasive
Species;
Biological
Agents
Participate in the public education
process of human and agricultural
health related issues as available.
City
Administration/MBFD
Completed.
Public health
education
through
health fairs.
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-45 2019
ACTION
ID
HAZARD(S)
ADDRESSED
MITIGATION ACTION TITLE LEAD AGENCY ACTION
STATUS
NOTES
MB.6 Agricultural
Pest
Infestation
and Plant
Disease/
Marine
Invasive
Species;
Biological
Agents
Encourage broad participation in
County public and agricultural
health associated emergency
preparedness exercises
City
Administration/MBFD
Completed. FLU POD
exercises,
COVID
vaccine
distribution
D.5.3 Mitigation Actions
The City of Morro Bay has 18 mitigation actions for their 2025 Mitigation Action Plan, including 13 continued actions and five (5) new. The Planning Team for the City of Morro Bay identified and prioritized the following mitigation actions based on the conducted risk assessment (see Table D-30). Background information and information on how each action will be implemented and administered, such as ideas for implementation, responsible office, potential funding, estimated cost, and timeline are also included. Actions were prioritized using the process described in Section 7.2.1 of the Base Plan. Actions with an asterisk (*) are those that mitigate losses to future development. Timeline and project cost definitions are noted in Section 7.3.2 of the Base Plan.
an abbreviated version of the Adverse Weather hazards in the interest of conciseness:
Thunderstorm/Heavy
Rain/Dense Fog.
Annex D: City of Morro Bay
County of San Luis Obispo Local Hazard Mitigation Plan | City of Morro Bay | 2025-2030 Annex D-52 D.6 Implementation and Maintenance
Moving forward, the city will use the mitigation action table in the previous section to track progress on implementation of each project. As illustrated in the completed actions table (Table D-29), much progress has been made since the plan was originally developed.
Implementation of the plan overall is discussed in Chapter 8 of the Base Plan.
D.6.1 Incorporation into Existing Planning Mechanisms
The information contained within this plan, including results from the Vulnerability Assessment and the Mitigation Strategy, will be used by the City to help inform updates and the development of local plans, programs and policies. The Engineering Division may utilize the Planning and Building Divisions may utilize the hazard information when reviewing a site plan or other type of development applications. The city will also incorporate this LHMP into the Safety Element of their General Plan by reference, as recommended by Assembly Bill (AB) 2140.
In January 2025, the city
Plan. The Waterfront Master Plan Update will support this HMP by identifying circulation and infrastructure improvements to address hazards on the waterfront, such as inadequate secondary emergency egress, coastal flooding, and sea level rise. This update will also include updated sea-level rise vulnerability and adaptation assessments for its legislatively granted state lands, in compliance and alignment with AB 691.
As noted in Chapter 8 of the Base Plan, the HMPC representatives from Morro Bay will report on efforts to integrate the hazard mitigation plan into local plans, programs and policies and will report on these efforts at the annual HMPC plan review meeting.
D.6.2 Monitoring, Evaluation and Updating the Plan
The City will follow the procedures to monitor, review, and update this plan in accordance with San Luis Obispo County as outlined in Chapter 8 of the Base Plan. The city will continue to involve the public in mitigation, as described in Section 8.3 of the Base Plan. The City of Morro Bay Planning Team will be responsible for representing the city in the County HMPC, and for coordination with City staff and departments during plan updates. The City realizes it is important to review the plan regularly and update it every five years in accordance with the Disaster Mitigation Act Requirements as well as other State of California requirements.
Prepared By: _AW____ Dept Review: ____
City Manager Review: JCC City Attorney Review: ___BS____ Staff Report
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council DATE: January 21, 2026 FROM: Amy Watkins, Chief of Police
Brian J. Stack, City Attorney
SUBJECT: Introduction and First Reading of Municipal Ordinance for Establishing Local Business Regulations for Massage Establishments and Technicians
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Introduce for first reading by title only with further reading waived, Ordinance No. 676, “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Morro Bay, California Adding Chapter 5.65 to Title 5 of the Morro Bay Municipal Code Regulating Massage Establishments and Professionals.”
ALTERNATIVES
Do not take action to establish local business regulations specific to massage establishments and technicians.
FISCAL IMPACT
If the Council decides to pursue adoption of local business regulations for massage establishments and technicians, the initial preparation and adoption of an ordinance would be supported by the General Fund and expected to be absorbed under existing budget authority. The future administration and enforcement of any local business regulations may require an update to the City’s fee schedule. Given current budget constraints, it is anticipated enforcement would initially be added to existing staff’s work plan, which could impact delivery of services depending on resource demands.
BACKGROUND
The City recognizes that massage is a viable professional field offering the public valuable health and therapeutic services and that operators engaging in illicit activities undermine legitimate businesses.
The California legislature and courts have supported imposing reasonable regulations and standards for the operation of massage businesses, including but not limited to minimum educational and experience requirements, passage of a practical examination of competence, sanitary conditions, hours of operation, and other operational regulations designed to minimize opportunities for illegal activities and to ensure the protection of the health safety and welfare of citizens.
AGENDA NO: 7.a
MEETING DATE: January 27, 2026
2 I. Prior Massage Statutes
Prior to 2008, California was among a minority of states that did not have state standards concerning the education, training, and licensing of massage professionals and the businesses in which they practice. Regulation in this area was left to local governments. In 2008, the Legislature adopted legislation that created the California Massage Therapy Council (“CAMTC”), a nonprofit organization responsible for issuing certificates to massage therapists and disciplining them for unlawful acts such as prostitution.
The 2008 State legislation created two categories of massage therapists: certified and uncertified.
Under the 2008 statutes, which were slightly amended in 2011 and 2013, local governments were preempted by State regulation and had very little authority to regulate certified massage therapists or massage businesses that use only CAMTC certified professionals.
II. Assembly Bill 1147
Assembly Bill 1147 significantly amended the State’s massage statutes and became effective on January 1, 2015.
Generally, Assembly Bill 1147 divided responsibility for massage regulation between CAMTC, which regulates the practice of massage and certifies individual massage therapists, and cities and counties, which are free to regulate the business of providing massage through land use and business licensing requirements.
a. Certified Therapists
Assembly Bill (AB) 1147 has more rigorous certification requirements for new massage professional applicants, and imposes greater statewide regulations on all certified massage therapists, including prohibitions from engaging in sex-related acts, sexually suggestive advertising, or wearing unacceptable attire. CAMTC must deny a certification application for, or revoke the certification of, anyone required to register as a sex offender.
Under Assembly Bill 1147, a city may not prohibit a CAMTC certified therapist from engaging in massage or using CAMTC recognized massage techniques. The certification of massage therapists is regulated by CAMTC and a city does not have the authority to revoke a therapist’s certification. AB 1147 does not regulate non-certified massage therapists, so cities are still free to regulate or prohibit them.
Key details regarding the current status of massage regulations:
CAMTC Authority Extended: The Legislature recently extended (via AB 1504) CAMTC's powers and duties through January 1, 2030.
Voluntary Certification: CAMTC certification remains voluntary, but many cities and counties require it to work legally in their jurisdictions. Education Requirements: The 500-hour education requirement established by AB 1147 for Certified Massage Therapists (CMT) is still in place.
Local Control: Cities and counties still have the power to regulate massage businesses through local zoning and business licenses, which was a major component of the 2015 law.
3 No Mandatory State License: As of September 2025, there is no mandatory state license required, though the CAMTC continues to issue certificates. b. Massage Establishments
AB 1147 restored much of local government’s authority to regulate massage establishments by recognizing various grants of authority to cities and counties to adopt land use and business regulations, including the police power in Article XI, section 7 of the California Constitution. (See Gov.
Code § 51034.) AB 1147 lists specific ways cities may not regulate massage establishments, but cities are otherwise free to regulate these establishments.
Under Assembly Bill 1147, a city may not define or regulate massage establishments as adult entertainment businesses or otherwise regulate a massage establishment as adult entertainment. A city may not require such establishments to post any notice in an area that may be viewed by clients that contains explicit language describing sexual acts or mentions genitalia or specific contraception devices. A city may not impose more stringent client draping rules than what the statutes require.
Regarding facilities, a city may not obligate a massage establishment to have internal physical structures, such as windows looking into massage rooms or walls that do not extend from the floor to the ceiling and a city may not prevent a one-person business from locking its external doors. Other than these specific limitations, cities may impose other regulations on massage establishments.
DISCUSSION
At the November 12, 2025, City Council meeting, staff introduced a potential framework for regulating massage establishment and technicians for Council consideration and was directed to return with an ordinance based on the framework presented along with proximity and cap components. Staff have conferred with CAMTC officials, neighboring local police agencies, local massage technicians, and the County Public Health Department to aid in preparation of the ordinance.
Staff has prepared an ordinance that attempts to impose reasonable local regulations on massage establishments and technicians that are designed to prevent and discourage the misuse of massage therapy as a front for illicit activities in compliance with state law while imposing a minimal burden on legitimate business activity in the City. As detailed further below, the ordinance would provide minimum building, sanitation, operation and standards for such businesses, density limitations and add minimum qualifications for the operators and employees of such businesses to minimize opportunities for illegal activities and help protect the public health, safety and welfare.
Proposed Ordinance
Requirements Applicable to Massage Establishments
Local massage establishment license required
o Owner(s) require Background Check approval by Chief of Police o Grounds for denial include material misstatement on application and prior offenses related to the operation of a massage establishment whether as an owner or technician
o Chief of Police will have 60 days to review and issue clearance for a complete application provided there are no misstatements or disqualifying offenses o License will remain in effect so long as they maintain a valid business tax certificate
4 o Change in ownership requires notification to Chief of Police and background check clearance for new owners
Technicians employed must be certified by CAMTC or verified by the Chief of Police as qualifying under the grandfather exception (discussed under requirements for Massage Practitioners below)
o Other exceptions include duly licensed health care providers, athletic trainers, barbers and beauticians
Facility and Operational requirements
o Comply with all building and zoning code requirements o Security case provided to patrons for storage of valuables o Premises maintained in good and clean repair
o Clean linens and instruments
o No exposing or touching areas in violation of CAMTC guidelines o Lighting requirements
o No alcoholic beverages
o List of all services and prices
o Record keeping and inspection requirements
o Display of technician CAMTC certifications or City exemption determinations o Home occupation permit required in residential zones
o Hours of operation limited to 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Requirements Applicable to Massage Technicians
Provide proof of CAMTC certification or otherwise obtain local massage technician permit o May be subject to background check if not CAMTC certified o Grounds for denial include material misstatement on application and prior offenses related to the operation of a massage establishment whether as an owner or technician
o Chief of Police will have 60 days to review and respond to a complete application o Permit will remain in effect so long as they maintain a valid business tax certificate Technicians must have CAMTC certificate or verified by the Chief of Police as qualifying under the grandfather exception
o Technicians working in Morro Bay prior to ordinance adoption may obtain an exemption from the Chief of Police if they provide evidence they have worked as a message therapist or practitioner for at least 5 years and have attempted to obtain CAMTC certification
o Exemption will be good until February 1, 2027
Density Limitations
Maximum of 10 massage establishments allowed in the City 500 foot separation required between massage establishments Operators of existing locations exempt from new density limitations until transfer or closure of business (similar to short term rental ordinance)
Enforcement
Subject to site inspections
Findings will be documented in report and provided to the establishment or technician Notices of Violations may be issued and identify corrective action needed to avoid imposition
5 of fines or revocation.
Denials, revocations, suspensions or imposition of fines may be appealed to the City Council or hearing officer if established
A standard practice for municipalities concerned with the increase in illicit activities associated with massage establishments is to create municipal code ordinances to help identify, regulate, and maintain lawful operation of massage establishments. This includes adopting massage ordinances, creating a review process for business licenses, and creating a process for inspection and review of the massage establishments if a business practice comes into question.
Staff have provided a draft ordinance available for public viewing on the city’s website. An informational flyer was issued along with the link to the draft ordinance. The informational flyer was distributed in person to the massage establishments in Morro Bay. Staff have received inquiries related to the requirements and have received feedback related to the proposed ordinance.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that this Ordinance be considered for introduction and first reading.
ATTACHMENT
1. Draft Ordinance No. 676
1 ORDINANCE NO. 676
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF MORRO BAY, CALIFORNIA
ADDING CHAPTER 5.65 TO TITLE 5 OF THE MORRO BAY MUNICIPAL
CODE REGULATING MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS AND PROFESSIONALS
THE CITY COUNCIL
City of Morro Bay, California
WHEREAS, massage is a viable professional field offering the public valuable health and therapeutic services; and
WHEREAS, unless properly regulated, the practice of massage therapy and the operation of massage businesses may be associated with unlawful activity and pose a threat to the quality of life in the local community; and
WHEREAS, state law authorizes the imposition of reasonable local regulations and standards for the operation of massage businesses, including but not limited to, density, minimum educational and experience requirements, sanitary conditions, hours of operation, and other operational regulations designed to minimize opportunities for illegal activities and to ensure protection of the health, safety and welfare of citizens; and WHEREAS the registration and health and safety requirements imposed by this Ordinance are reasonably necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of the local community.
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MORRO BAY, CALIFORNIA, DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. RECITALS. The recitals set forth above are true and correct and are hereby adopted as findings in support of this Ordinance as if fully set forth herein.
SECTION 2. SEVERABILITY. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this ordinance is, for any reason, held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it would have adopted this ordinance and each section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses, phrases, or portions thereof may be declared invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 3. POTENTIAL CONFLICTS. All ordinances, parts of ordinances, City resolutions or policies, and the like, in conflict with those sections amended or added herein to the Morro Bay Municipal Code, are hereby expressly superseded by this ordinance, with the exception of Section 8.24.010(D) of the Morro Bay Municipal Code.
2 SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect thirty (30) days after its passage and adoption.
SECTION 5. NEW CHAPTER 5.65 ADDED TO CODE. Chapter 5.65 is added to Title 5 of the Morro Bay Municipal Code to read as follows:
Chapter 5.65 - MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS AND PROFESSIONALS
5.65.010 Purpose and intent.
In enacting this chapter, the City Council recognizes that massage therapy is a professional pursuit which can offer the public valuable health and therapeutic services, but unless properly regulated, the practice of massage therapy and the operation of massage businesses may be associated with unlawful activity and pose a threat to the quality of life in the local community. It is the purpose and intent of this chapter to provide for the orderly regulation of establishments providing massage therapy services, and to prevent and discourage the misuse of massage therapy as a front for human trafficking, prostitution, and related activities in violation of state law, all in the interests of the public health, safety, and welfare, by providing certain minimum building, sanitation, and operation standards for such businesses, and by requiring certain minimum qualifications for the operators and practitioners of such businesses. It is the further intent of this chapter to streamline local massage therapy permitting procedures, while still facilitating and advancing the ethical practice of massage therapy, by relying upon the uniform statewide regulations enacted by the Legislature in 2008 as Business and Professions Code Sections 4600 et seq., known as the Massage Therapy Act, as subsequently amended, and by restricting the commercial practice of massage in the city to those persons duly certified to practice by the California Massage Therapy Council formed pursuant to those statutes.
5.65.020 - Definitions.
For the purpose of this chapter, unless the context clearly requires a different meaning, the words, terms and phrases hereinafter set forth shall have the meanings given in this section:
"Authorized Massage Professional" means a massage professional who is identified in a permit issued pursuant to this chapter as a person employed or retained by a massage establishment to practice massage.
"CAMTC-Certified Massage Professional" means any individual currently certified by the California Massage Therapy Council as a massage therapist or massage practitioner pursuant to Business and Professions Code Section 4600 et seq. “License” means the business tax certificate to operate a massage establishment as required by this chapter.
3 "California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC)" means the California Massage Therapy Council created pursuant to California Business and Professions Code § 4600 et seq.500.5(a).
"Compensation" means the payment, loan, advance, donation, contribution, deposit, exchange, or gift of money or anything of value.
"Department" means the Chief of the Morro Bay Police Department or designee charged with the administration of this chapter.
"Massage," "massage therapy," and/or "bodywork" for purposes of this chapter mean the skillful application of touch, including but not limited to, pressure, stroking, kneading, compression on or movement of the external surfaces of the body by a practitioner to produce increased awareness, relaxation, pain relief, injury rehabilitation, or neuromuscular reeducation.
“Massage establishment” means any establishment having a fixed place of business where any individual, firm, association, partnership, corporation, joint venture, or combination of individuals engages in, conducts, carries on or permits to be engaged in, conducted or carried on, massages, baths, or health treatment involving massage or baths as the principal functions. Massage establishment also means and includes any school or institution of learning, which teaches the theory, ethics, practice, profession or work of massage, including, but not limited to, a “recognized school of massage”.
Home-based massage businesses and businesses that provide outcall massage services are also considered to be massage establishments. For purposes of this chapter, the term "massage establishment" may be applied to include establishments which offer or advertise themselves as providing "relaxation" or "tanning" where the essential nature of the interaction between the employee and the customer involves "massage" as defined herein. The terms, names or phrases listed on business tax certificate or fictitious name application forms are not necessarily conclusive as to the nature of the business.
"Owner" or "massage establishment owner" means any of the following persons:
(1) The sole proprietor of a sole proprietorship operating a massage establishment.
(2) Any general partner of a general or limited partnership that owns a massage establishment.
(3) Any person who has a five percent or greater ownership interest in a corporation that owns a massage establishment.
(4) Any person who is a member of a limited liability company that owns a massage establishment.
4 (5) All owners of any other type of business association that owns a massage establishment.
"Operator" or "Massage Establishment Operator" means any person who is an owner or manager of a massage establishment.
"Patron" means an individual on the premises of a massage establishment for the purpose of receiving massage therapy.
"Person" means any individual, firm, association, partnership, corporation, joint venture, limited liability company, or combination of individuals. "Reception and waiting area" means an area immediately inside the main entry door of the massage establishment dedicated to the reception and waiting of patrons or visitors of the massage establishment and which is not a massage therapy room or otherwise used for the provision of massage therapy services.
"Sole proprietorship" means a massage establishment where the owner owns one hundred percent of the business and has one or no other employees or independent contractors.
"Visitor" means any individual not retained or employed by the massage establishment and not receiving or waiting to receive massage therapy services, but excluding law enforcement personnel or governmental officials performing governmental business “Massage technician” means any person, who gives, performs or administers to another person a massage for any form of consideration.
“Outcall massage” means the engaging in or carrying on of massage for any consideration at a location other than a massage establishment, which location is designated by a person to whom a permit or license has been issued pursuant to this chapter, or by the customer or client, or by any other person. “Recognized school of massage” means any school or institution of learning which teaches the theory, ethics, practice, profession or work of massage, which school or institution of learning requires a residence course study of not fewer than two hundred hours, at least one hundred of which must be class hours completed within a consecutive four-month period and the remainder, if any, must be actual massage hours supervised by a certified massage instructor completed within a consecutive twelvemonth period; provided, that the entire study program must be completed within an eighteen-month period before the student shall be furnished with a diploma or certificate of graduation from such school or institution of learning following the successful completion of such course of study or learning, and which school -has-been approved pursuant to California Education Code Section 94300 et seq., or if the school is not located in California, has complied with standards commensurate with those required in
5 said Section 94300 et seq. Any school or institution of learning offering or allowing correspondence course credit not requiring actual attendance at class, of courses of a massage technician not approved by the California State Department of Education, shall not be deemed a “recognized school of massage.”
5.65.030 – Administration.
The chief of police is authorized to administer this chapter and to promulgate administrative policies and procedures required to implement the regulations set forth in this chapter.
5.65.040 – Business tax certificate required.
The requirements of this chapter are in addition to any business tax certificate and business tax certificate requirements imposed pursuant to Chapter 5.04 of this code.
5.65.050 – Other permits and authorizations required.
The requirements of this chapter are in addition to any permits or authorizations that may be required under other applicable laws including but not limited to the city's building, fire, zoning, and health regulations.
5.65.060 – CAMTC certificate required.
On or after [Effective Date], it is unlawful for any individual to practice massage therapy for compensation within the city unless that individual is a CAMTC-certified massage professional.
5.65.070 – Certifications required – Prohibited conduct (a) Massage establishment. It is unlawful for any person to own, operate or maintain a massage establishment unless all massage technicians employed by the massage establishment hold a current, valid certification from the CAMTC as a massage practitioner or massage therapist or qualify under the limited exceptions described in this chapter.
(b) Massage technician. It is unlawful for any person to engage in, or carry on, the business or activities of a massage technician without a certification from the CAMTC as a massage practitioner or massage therapist or qualify under the limited exceptions described in this chapter.
5.65.080 Exemptions.
This chapter shall not apply to the following classes of individuals while engaged in the performance of the duties of their respective professions:
6 (a) Physicians, surgeons, chiropractors, osteopaths, podiatrists, physical therapists, nurses, acupuncturists or any other person licensed to practice any healing art under the provisions of Division 2 (commencing with Section 500) of the Business and Professions Code when engaging in such practice within the scope of his or her license. (b) Trainers of any amateur, semi-professional, or professional athlete or athletic team, so long as such persons do not practice massage therapy as their primary occupation at any location where they provide such services in the city. (c) Barbers, estheticians, and cosmetologists who are duly licensed under the laws of the State of California, while engaging in practices within the scope of their licenses. (d) Individuals administering massages or health treatments involving massage to persons participating in single occurrence athletic, recreational, or educational events such as road races, track meets, triathlons, educational events, or conferences, provided that the event is open to the public or to a significant segment of the public such as employees of sponsoring or participating corporations, and the massage services are provided at the site of the event during, immediately preceding, or immediately following the event.
(e) Somatic practitioners who use no physical touch of any kind at any time in their practice.
5.65.090 - Limited exception from CAMTC certification requirement. (a) The city recognizes that some massage technicians currently practicing in Morro Bay may not meet the current requirements set forth by the CAMTC due to changes in educational or other requirements, particularly changes in requirements concerning hours of schooling, although the person has been in practice for a significant period.
The city will therefore allow individuals who were working in Morro Bay prior to the passage of this chapter and meet the requirements of this section to practice massage under this exception without certification from the CAMTC. (b) Individuals who do not submit an initial application on or before [30 days from E, for the exception described in this section shall be ineligible to qualify for the exception. (c) An individual seeking this exception must demonstrate the following to the satisfaction of the Department:
(1) Evidence that he or she worked as a massage therapist or massage practitioner and held a business tax certificate in good standing under Section
5.04.330 on an ongoing basis for at least five years prior to [Effective Date]; and (2) Evidence that he or she has certification or proof of training in the field of massage from a school or another entity comparable to the CAMTC and has
7 been working as a massage therapist or massage practitioner for a period of at least five years; and
(3) Evidence that he or she attempted to obtain certification from the CAMTC but was denied and the reasons for the denial show that despite existing training and experience, he or she was not able to qualify for certification from CAMTC; and (4) Compliance with all requirements under this chapter for massage establishment owners that are not certified by the CAMTC, including, but not limited to, the background check described in Section 5.65.110 of this chapter. (d) An individual granted an exception from the CAMTC certification requirement is required to display, in the same manner this chapter requires the display of CAMTC certification, a statement from the city showing that the person met the requirements of this exception.
(e) The city may establish a non-refundable fee to recover costs associated with initial applications and annual renewals.
(f) This section shall remain in effect only until February 1, 2027. All massage practitioners must comply with Section 5.65.060 beginning February 1, 2027.
5.65.100 - Massage establishment license required.
It is unlawful for any person to engage in, conduct or carry on, or to permit to be engaged in, conducted or carried on, in or upon any premises in the city, the business of a massage establishment without the license required by this chapter.
5.56.110 – License application background check- owner.
The owners of the massage establishment shall file an application for a permit on a form provided by the Department. The application shall be accompanied by the fee established by the city's fee schedule. The application shall include the following information:
(a) The name, address, and telephone number of the massage establishment. (b) The name, date of birth, state issued identification number, residence address and telephone number, and business address and telephone number of each owner of the massage establishment.
(c) The form of business under which the applicant will be conducting the massage establishment, i.e., corporation, general or limited partnership, limited liability company, or other form. If the applicant is a corporation, the name of the corporation shall be set forth exactly as shown in its articles of incorporation, together with the names and residence addresses of each of its officers, directors, and each shareholder holding
8 more than ten percent of the stock of the corporation. If the applicant is a general or limited partnership, the application shall set forth the name and residence address of each of the partners, including limited partners. If one or more of the partners is a corporation, the provisions of this section pertaining to a corporate applicant shall apply.
If the applicant is a limited liability company, the application shall set forth the name and residence address of each of the members. If one or more of the members is a partnership, limited liability company, or corporation, the provisions of this section pertaining to a partnership, limited liability company, or corporate applicant shall apply, as applicable.
(d) The name, address, and telephone number of the owner of the real property upon, in, or from which the certified massage establishment is to be operated. In the event the applicant is not the legal owner of the property, the application shall be accompanied by a copy of any written lease between the applicant and the property owner authorizing use of the premises for a massage establishment, or, alternatively, if there is no written lease, then a written, notarized acknowledgment from the property owner that the property owner has been advised that a massage establishment will be operated by the applicant upon, in, or from the property owner's property. (e) A description of the proposed massage establishment, including the type of treatments to be administered.
(f) The name of each individual who the massage establishment employs or retains to perform massage therapy for compensation, whether on or off the massage establishment premises.
(g) The name of each individual who is regularly employed or retained by the massage establishment to perform services on the premises other than massage therapy, and the nature of their services.
(h) For each individual who the massage establishment does or will employ or retain to perform massage therapy for compensation, whether on or off the massage establishment premises, a copy of that individual’s exception under Section 5.65.090 or that individual's current certification from the CAMTC as a certified massage practitioner or certified massage therapist, and a copy of his or her current CAMTC issued identification card.
(i) For each owner of the massage establishment who is a CAMTC-certified massage professional, a copy of his or her current certification from the CAMTC as a certified massage practitioner or as a certified massage therapist and a copy of his or her current CAMTC-issued identification card.
(j) For each owner of the massage establishment who is not a CAMTC-certified massage professional, the following information:
9 (1) Whether any owner of the massage establishment has within the five years immediately preceding the date of application been convicted of any felony in any state.
(2) Whether any owner of the massage establishment is currently required to register under the provisions of Section 290 of the California Penal Code. (3) The business, occupation, and employment history of each owner of the massage establishment for five years preceding the date of application, and the inclusive dates of same.
(4) One set of fingerprints to be taken at the permit authority, and any required fee for such fingerprinting shall be paid by the applicant. (k) Whether any license or permit has ever been issued to the applicant by any jurisdiction under the provisions of any ordinance or statute governing massage or somatic practice, and as to any such license or permit, the name and address of the issuing authority, the effective dates of such license or permit, whether such license or permit was ever suspended, revoked, withdrawn, or denied; and copies of any documentary materials relating to such suspension, revocation, withdrawal, or denial. (l) Such other information as may be required by the permit authority to determine compliance with any other eligibility requirements for issuance of the permit as specified by federal, state, or local law.
(m) A statement that within the last five years the applicant has not failed to comply with a final court order or administrative action of an investigatory agency finding a violation of applicable federal, state and local wage and hour laws, including, but not limited to, the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, the California Labor Code, and any local minimum wage ordinance or prevailing wage requirements. For purposes of this subsection, a final court order or administrative action is one as to which there is no pending appeal and the time for filing an appeal has passed.
5.65.120 Massage establishment license, application, fee relocation. (a) Any application for a license to operate a massage establishment shall be accompanied by a fee as set by resolution of the council. The application fee shall be used to defray in whole or in part, the cost of the investigation and report by the chief of police and is not made in lieu of any other fees or taxes required under this code. In addition, the applicant shall also pay all applicable fees to the county health officer according to the rate schedule of the county then in effect, and to the state all applicable fees necessary for the processing of applicant information. (b) A license to operate a massage establishment shall remain valid as long as the license holder maintains a continual business operation as evidenced by the possession
10 of a valid business tax certificate. Failure to timely renew the business tax certificate shall cause the massage establishment license to become invalid and the license holder must complete a new massage license application accompanied by a fee as set by resolution of the council. If a licensed establishment relocates or opens an additional business location, an application for such purpose shall be required and accompanied by an administrative fee as set by resolution of the council.
5.65.130 Additional restrictions and requirements.
(a) Before operating a massage establishment in the city, massage establishment owners must comply with all applicable codes adopted by the city, including, without limitation, the building, signage, electrical, and plumbing codes. (b) Hours of operation. Massage establishments shall only offer massage services between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. and no patrons for massage services shall be allowed on the premises after 10:00 p.m. or before 8:00 a.m. (c) Density Limitations.
(1) The maximum allowable number of massage establishments is ten. No new applications for massage establishments will be accepted until the number of active licenses drop below ten.
(2) No massage establishment shall locate within five hundred feet from another massage establishment. The distance shall be measured as the horizontal distance measured in a straight line from the property line of one site to the property line of another site.
(3) Applicants who wish to apply for massage establishment licenses shall be issued permits on a first-come, first-served basis, provided the proposed massage establishment does not violate the density limitations herein.
Applicants who are not eligible for a license due to these density limitations shall be placed on a chronologically maintained waiting list. (4) Massage establishments lawfully permitted by the city prior to December 1, 2025, and in good standing with the city on the effective date of this chapter, are not subject to the density limitations herein, provided they obtain a massage establishment license pursuant to this chapter within six months of its effective date. The sale or transfer of any interest in a massage establishment which interest would be reported as required in this chapter upon application for a massage establishment license, shall result in the massage establishment becoming subject to the density limitations herein.
(d) It is unlawful for any person to engage in, perform, conduct or carry on, or to permit to be engaged in, performed, conducted or carried on, outcall massage or baths or
11 health treatments involving massage or baths for any consideration or under such circumstances that it is reasonably expected that the person for whom the treatment is provided or some third person on his or her behalf will pay money or give any other consideration or gratuity therefor at any hotel, motel, or other residential structure or facility designed and operated primarily for transient occupancy unless such outcall massage service shall first be authorized in writing by a physician, surgeon, chiropractor, or osteopath duly licensed to practice in the state. It is unlawful to operate an outcall massage service by use of a telephone answering device. (e) Any and all signage advertising or promoting the business or location shall comply with provisions set forth in Morro Bay Municipal Code Chapter 17.29.
5.65.140 Massage establishment license grounds for denial.
The Chief of Police shall either issue or deny a permit within 60 calendar days following receipt of a completed application for an establishment permit. The Chief of Police may extend the time period to act on a permit application by an additional 30 days upon providing written notice of the extension to the applicant. In approving or denying a permit, the Chief of Police shall consider the recommendations of City officials investigating the application, along with any other relevant information.
The chief of police may deny an application for a massage establishment permit on any of the following grounds:
(a) The massage establishment, as proposed by the applicant, would not comply with the requirements of this chapter.
(b) The massage establishment, as proposed by the applicant, would not comply with any applicable law, including, but not limited to the city's building, fire, zoning, and health regulations.
(c) The applicant has knowingly made any false, misleading or fraudulent statement of material fact in the application for a massage establishment permit. (d) Any owner of the massage establishment, within five years immediately preceding the date of filing of the application, has been convicted in a court of competent jurisdiction of any offense that relates directly to the operation of a massage establishment whether as a massage establishment owner or operator or as a person practicing massage for compensation, or as an employee of either; or has at any time been convicted in a court of competent jurisdiction of any felony the commission of which occurred on the premises of a massage establishment. (e) Any owner of the massage establishment is currently required to register under the provisions of Section 290 of the California Penal Code.
12 (f) Any owner of the massage establishment, within five years of the date of application, has been convicted in a court of competent jurisdiction of any violation of Sections 266, 266a, 266e, 266f, 266g, 266h, 266i, 266j, 315, 316, 318, 647(b), or 653.22 of the California Penal Code, or conspiracy or attempt to commit any such offense, or any offense in a jurisdiction outside of the State of California that is the equivalent of any of the aforesaid offenses.
(g) Any owner of the massage establishment has been subjected to a permanent injunction against the conducting or maintaining of a nuisance pursuant to Sections 11225 through 11235 of the California Penal Code, or any similar provision of law in a jurisdiction outside the State of California.
(h) Any owner of the massage establishment, within five years of the date of application, and as established by clear and convincing evidence, has engaged in acts prohibited under California Penal Code Sections 266, 266a, 266e, 266f, 266g, 266h, 266i, 266j, 315, 316, 318, 647(b), or 653.22.
(i) Any owner of the massage establishment is an individual who has not attained the age of eighteen years.
(j) Any owner of the massage establishment, within five years immediately preceding the date of filing of the application, has had a permit or license to practice massage for compensation or to own and/or operate a massage establishment revoked or denied in any jurisdiction.
(k) Any owner of the massage establishment currently owns or operates a massage establishment in the city of Morro Bay that is not in good standing due to the existence of uncorrected violations or unpaid fines or fees.
(l) Within the last five years, the applicant has failed to comply with a final court order or administrative action of an investigatory agency finding a violation of applicable federal, state and local wage and hour laws, including, but not limited to, the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, the California Labor Code, and any local minimum wage ordinance or prevailing wage requirements. For purposes of this subsection, a final court order or administrative action is one as to which there is no pending appeal and the time for filing an appeal has passed.
5.65.150 Massage establishment - facilities and operations requirements.
All massage establishments shall comply with the following facilities and operation requirements:
(a) Massage establishments shall comply with all code requirements.
13 (b) Closed cabinets or other cupboard space shall be provided for the storage of clean linen. Approved receptacles shall be provided for the storage of all soiled linen and paper towels.
(c) The walls in all rooms where water or steam baths are given shall have a washable, mold-resistant surface.
(d) All lavatories or washbasins shall be provided with running water, disinfectant, soap and single service towels.
(e) Security deposit facilities capable of being locked by the patron or a security bag that may be carried by the patron shall be available for the protection of the valuables of the patrons.
(f) Every portion of a massage establishment including appliances, apparatus and personnel, shall be kept clean and operated in a sanitary condition. (g) All massage establishments shall be equipped with clean and sanitary towels, sheets and linens of sufficient quantity. Towels, sheets and linens shall not be used by more than one person. Reuse of such linen is prohibited unless the same has first been laundered Heavy white paper may be substituted for sheets: provided, that such paper is used once for each person and then discarded in a sanitary receptacle. (h) All walls, ceilings, floors, pools, showers, bathtubs, steam rooms and other physical facilities for the establishment must be in good repair and maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. Wet and dry heat rooms, steam and vapor rooms, or steam or vapor cabinets, shower compartments, and toilet rooms shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected each day the business is in operation. Bathtubs shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after each use.
1. Disinfecting agents and sterilizing equipment shall be provided for any instruments used in performing acts of massage and said instruments shall be disinfected and sterilized after each use.
(i) Pads used on massage tables shall be covered with durable, washable plastic or other acceptable waterproof material.
(j) To protect patrons from potential health and sanitary hazards, all employees, and massage technicians shall be clean and shall wear clean outer garments when performing services on the premises, No massage technician shall, in the course of administering any massage, bath or health treatment, expose his or her genitals or private parts. No massage technician shall, in the course of administering any massage, bath or health treatment, make physical contact with the genitals or private parts of any other person in violation of CAMTC guidelines.
14 (k) A listing of each service offered, the price thereof, and the minimum length of time such service shall be performed shall be made available on request. No services shall be performed and no sum shall be charged for any services other than those listed.
Arrangements shall be made for all services prior to the performance of any service. No massage technician shall solicit or offer to perform for any patron any additional service after such technician has commenced the performance of any service for such patron. (l) No alcoholic beverages shall be sold, served or furnished on the premises of any massage establishment.
(m) No massage establishment shall be open for business between the hours of 10 p.m. of one day and 8 a.m. of the following day.
(n) Minimum lighting shall be provided in accordance with the Uniform Building Code, and in addition, at least one artificial light of not less than forty watts shall be provided in each room or enclosure when massage is performed on patrons. (o) Minimum ventilation shall be provided in accordance with the Uniform Building Code.
(p) Proof of compliance with all applicable provisions of this code shall be provided. (q) Reception and Waiting Areas
1. One ( 1) main entry door shall be provided for Patron entry to the Massage Establishment, which shall open directly into the interior Reception and Waiting Area of the Massage Establishment. Except during emergency egress situations, all Patrons, and any persons other than Individuals employed or retained by the Massage Establishment shall be required to enter and exit through the main entry door. The main entry door shall remain unlocked during business hours when the Establishment is open for business or when Patrons are present unless the Massage Establishment is a business entity owned by a sole proprietor and there is no additional staff available to assure security;
2. No Massage Establishment located in a building or structure with exterior windows fronting a public street, highway, parking area or walkway ( including interior common areas and hallways) shall, during business hours, block visibility into the interior Reception and Waiting Area through the use of curtains, closed blinds, tints, signage, or any other material that obstructs, blurs, or unreasonably darkens the view into the premises;
3. For the purpose of this subsection, there is an irrebuttable presumption that visibility is impermissibly blocked if more than 15 percent of the square footage of windows or more than 10 percent of the square footage of clear doors is covered so as to obstruct views of the interior Reception and Waiting Area.
15 5.65.160 – Massage establishment prohibited conduct. (a) It is unlawful for any person to operate a massage establishment within the city without first obtaining a massage establishment permit from the Department. (b) On or after [Effective Date], it is unlawful for a massage establishment operator to employ or retain any person to practice massage therapy for compensation, or to allow any person to perform massage therapy for compensation on the premises of a massage establishment, unless that person is a CAMTC-certified massage professional and unless that person is identified as an authorized massage professional on the permit issued pursuant to this chapter. For purposes of this chapter, a massage establishment operator "employs or retains" a person to practice massage therapy for compensation when:
(1) That person is a directly paid employee of the massage establishment; or (2) That person's association with a massage establishment is that of an independent contractor who receives compensation for massage therapy provided to patrons of the massage establishment; or
(3) That person receives a referral of patrons from the massage establishment and, at any time before or after the referral, arranges in any way for compensation to flow to the massage establishment operator. (c) It is unlawful for a massage establishment to operate under any name or conduct business under any designation not specified in the massage establishment permit issued pursuant to this chapter.
(d) It is unlawful for a massage establishment to continue to operate following the sale or transfer of any interest in the massage establishment to a person who was not identified as an owner in the massage establishment permit application.
5.65.170 Massage establishment—Record keeping requirements.
Every person operating a massage establishment within the city shall keep a record of the date and hour of each treatment, the name and address of the patron, the address of the place where the service was rendered, and the name of the technician administering such treatment, The records shall be open to inspection by officials charged with the enforcement of these provisions for the purposes of law enforcement and for no other purpose. The information furnished or secured as a result of any such inspection shall be confidential. Any unauthorized disclosure or use of such information by any city officer or employee shall be subject to the penalty provisions of this chapter, in addition to any other penalties provided by law. The records required by this section shall be maintained for a period of two years.
16 5.65.180 Massage establishment - business name.
No person licensed to operate a massage establishment shall operate under any name or conduct business under any designation not specified in the license.
5.65.190 Display of permit.
Any owner of a massage establishment must display the CAMTC certificates for all massage technicians prominently in a conspicuous place, capable of being viewed by customers or city representatives, at every location where massage is performed or conducted.
Any persons operating under the limited exception described in Section 5.65.090 must display the statement from the city documenting their exemption from the CAMTC certification prominently in a conspicuous place capable of being viewed by customers or city representatives.
5.65.200 Massage establishment - Sale or transfer of interest.
The sale or transfer of any interest in a massage establishment which interest would be reported as required in this chapter upon application for a massage establishment license, shall be reported to the chief of police within ten days of such sale or transfer.
The chief of police shall investigate any person receiving any interest in a massage establishment as a result of such sale or transfer and if such person satisfies the requirements relating to massage establishment license applicants the existing license shall be endorsed to include such person. A fee established by resolution of the council shall be paid to the city for the investigation by the chief of police necessitated by each such sale or transfer. Any such establishment which intends to in any way transfer ownership or alter or change the nature of any such massage establishment on or after the effective date of this chapter shall comply with the provisions of this chapter prior to such transfer, alteration or change.
5.65.210 Investigation by officials - Authority.
Any and all investigating officials of the city and county shall have the right to enter massage establishments from time to time during regular business hours to make reasonable inspections, to observe and enforce compliance with building, fire, electrical, plumbing, or health regulations, or other provisions of this chapter. A warrant shall be obtained whenever required by law.
5.65.220 Investigation by officials - Report.
Whenever any investigating official of the city makes an inspection of a massage establishment he or she shall record his or her findings on a report and shall give notice
17 of his or her findings by furnishing a copy of the inspection report to the licensee or permittee.
5.65.230 Notice of violation - Issuance contents.
Whenever any investigating official of the city makes an inspection of a massage establishment and finds that any provision of this chapter has been violated, he or she shall give notice of such violation by means of a report or other written notice. In any such notification, the investigating official shall:
(a) Set forth the specific violation or violations found; (b) Establish a specific and reasonable period of time for the correction of the violation or violations. If the investigating official determines that the violation or violations are minor in nature, the investigating official may issue a warning to the licensee or permittee, that any further violation of this chapter may result in the filing of a complaint for revocation or suspension of the license or permit;
(c) State that failure to comply with any notice issued in accordance with the provisions of this chapter may result in the city revoking or suspending the license or permit.
5.65.240 Massage establishment - Revocation or suspension of license.
Any license issued for a massage establishment may be revoked or suspended by the chief of police where it is found that:
(a) The licensee has violated any provision of this chapter: or (b) The licensee has failed to comply with one or more of the facility and operations requirements of Section 5.65.150; or
(c) The licensee has engaged in fraud, misrepresentation or false statement in conducting the massage establishment: or
(d) The licensee has failed to correct a violation after notice to do so pursuant to Section 5.65.230; or
(e) The licensee has continued to operate the massage establishment after the license has been suspended: or
(f) The licensee has allowed a person to work as a massage technician who:
1. Does not have a valid permit: or
2. Has engaged in conduct or has been convicted of any offense described in subsections (b) and (c) of Section 5.65.140 where the licensee has active or constructive knowledge of such conduct or conviction: or
18 (g) Licensee is a person who is engaged in conduct or has been convicted of an offense described in subsections (b) and (c) of Section 5.65.140.
5.65.250 Massage technician - Revocation or suspension of permit.
Any massage technician permit may be revoked or suspended by the chief of police where it is found that:
(a) The permittee has violated any provision of this chapter: or (b) The permittee is a person who has engaged in conduct described in subsections (b) or (c) of Section 5.65.140; or
(c) The permittee has engaged in conduct which would constitute an offense which relates directly to the permittee’s employment or performance as a massage technician or has engaged in conduct which would constitute a felony, the commission of which occurred on the premises of a massage establishment; or has been convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction of any such offense or felony; or (d) The permittee has continued to function as a massage technician after the permit has been suspended: or
(e) The permittee has failed to correct a violation found pursuant to Section 5.65.230
5.65.260 Appeals—Hearing.
In the event a permit or license application has been denied, the applicant may appeal to the council pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 5.04.210 of this code. Any licensee or permittee whose license or permit has been suspended or revoked may appeal to the council pursuant to the procedure set forth in Section 5.04.210 of this code.
SECTION 6. CERTIFICATION. The City Clerk shall certify as to the passage and adoption of this ordinance, and the City Clerk shall cause the same to be posted and codified in the manner required by law.
INTRODUCED at a regular meeting of the City Council of Morro Bay, held on the 27th day of January 2026, by motion of Council Member __________ and seconded by Council Member ________.
PASSED AND ADOPTED on the ______ day of __________2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
RECUSE:
19 ____________________________
CARLA WIXOM, Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________________
DANA SWANSON, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________________
BRIAN J. STACK, City Attorney
20 STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO )
CITY OF MORRO BAY )
I, Dana Swanson, CITY CLERK FOR THE CITY OF MORRO BAY, HEREBY CERTIFY the foregoing Ordinance Number 676 was duly adopted by the City Council of the City Morro Bay at a regular meeting of said Council on the ____ day of ________ 2026 and that it was so adopted on by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
RECUSE:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of Morro Bay, California, this ______ day of _______________, 2026.
DANA SWANSON, City Clerk
Prepared By: ___CM_____ Dept Review: ______
City Manager Review: JCC City Attorney Review: __BS____ Staff Report
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council DATE: January 21, 2026 FROM: Chris Munson, Harbor Vitality Director
SUBJECT: Review Harbor Advisory Board Recommendations for Launch Ramp Paid Parking
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Receive staff report and recommendations from the Harbor Advisory Board (HAB) and approve issuance of one annual single stall pass per Commercial Fishing boat launch slip and permitted liveaboard vessel at no cost for this calendar year, and
2. Authorize staff to reduce the single stall annual pass fee from $175 to $83 for FY 2026-27 with approval of the FY 2026-27 Master Fee Schedule to be reviewed by Council in April 2026.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Direct staff to bring back a standalone resolution enacting the annual pass fee reduction this fiscal year before the FY 2026-27 Master Fee Schedule review.
2. Not providing reductions or free passes.
FISCAL IMPACT
There are 33 liveaboard permits and 20 Commercial Fishing slips at the launch ramp for which annual pass fees would be waived if approved by Council.
BACKGROUND
Boaters have been paying for trailer stall parking since 2010. Revenue generated is currently over $50,000/year for 42 spaces at $10/day. Fees increased on January 1st to $12/day.
There are 55 single stalls that can be included in the paid parking plan.
During summer months, weekends and special events, the single stalls are impacted heavily by extra vehicles attending boats, paddle craft and park users. The lot is isolated with a single entry/exit making it easier to identify it to be a PAID PARKING LOT.
A new pay station has been installed and has the capability to have multiple rates. We will also install new signage in the lot that allows to pay by text or pay by app to make it easier for the users. The Pay and Display of receipt in the windshield will not be used in the future. This has been hard on the user and resulted in several citations being contested.
The Master Fee schedule has had single vehicle stall parking fee since FY 22/23, but the Harbor AGENDA NO: 8.a
MEETING DATE: January 27, 2026
Department has not enforced the fee due to delays in establishing an overall City paid parking plan and changes in Harbor Department leadership.
DISCUSSION
The City Council has identified paid parking for automobiles at the launch ramp and Rock parking lots as a priority for providing additional revenue for the Harbor Fund. The launch ramp and Rock parking lots require more funding for maintenance and improvements than the Harbor capital program can provide.
Beyond revenue for maintenance, paid parking at the launch ramp will increase space availability and reduce parking impacts from patrons who can park in other areas for free. These include boating passengers who drive separately, boat owners parking more than one car, and day users who don’t have a preference regarding where they park.
The new machine is also a text-to-pay system using license plate numbers. It is commonly used at many locations such as the San Luis Obispo Airport. There will be no printouts to display. Harbor Patrol will be able to look up the license plates on a mobile phone to see if a parking pass was purchased. Annual passes will still be physical stickers in vehicle windshields for the time being.
The paid program at the launch ramp will provide a better understanding of what works and what doesn’t and can be used to create a future paid parking program at the Rock parking lot. Once expanded, improvements such as vehicle plate readers and additional machines can be explored.
Since the launch ramp only has 55 automobile spaces, the cost of the software and vehicle upgrades do not make sense for now.
Figure 1 – 2026 Fee Schedule
Figure 2 – Full Parking Lot
The established fee for single stalls is currently $5. The passes would work for 24 hours, not just to the end of the day. This should benefit those who plan to stay overnight on their boat.
Payment can be made in 3 ways, at the kiosk, text-to-pay or by mobile app. It will charge a $0.35 transaction fee. The new kiosk will only take credit cards, which is the same as the current one.
Figure 3 – Sample Parking Sign
Harbor Advisory Board (“HAB”) Considerations and Recommendations:
The following potential modifications were discussed at the December 4th HAB Meeting:
1. Keep paid parking only for Trailer Spaces
Consideration: This goes against previous direction to initiate paid parking at the launch ramp. However, many have already voiced concerns about paid parking and it could decrease visitation.
HAB Recommendation: Proceed with single stall paid parking Staff Recommendation: Proceed with single stall paid parking
2. Limit enforcement of paid parking for single stalls to summer months from Memorial Day to Labor Day, or weekends only.
Consideration: In the off-season and weekdays, single stalls are not in high demand at the launch ramp. Limiting enforcement days would encourage more use when it is free during the off-season. However, this will cause a lot of confusion since trailer boats are still required to pay year-round. It may cause frustration for patrons who get a ticket because they didn’t understand and increase staff time dealing with calls and disputes. HAB Recommendation: Year-round paid parking
Staff Recommendation: Year-round paid parking
3. Providing ONE free annual pass for the first year to commercial fishing slip holders and/or liveaboards.
Consideration: This has already been mentioned at previous HAB meetings. If the HAB would like to propose this, staff recommends limiting it to one per vessel and beginning with a trial run of one year. At the end of the first year, the free passes can be reviewed. HAB Recommendation: One free pass per live aboard permit and commercial launch ramp slip for the first year
Staff Recommendation: One free pass per live aboard permit and commercial launch ramp slip for the first year (expiring December 31, 2026)
4. Reducing annual pass fee for automobiles from $175.
Consideration: It has been mentioned during City Council public comment that a reduced or free parking pass should be made available to Morro Bay residents. The City Attorney has stated that it could not be limited to Morro Bay residents only because of established legal precedent, but a reduced annual pass rate for everyone is an option. At the current rate of $175, someone would need to use it more than 35 times a year to be cost effective.
A modest rate of $40-60 would encourage more people to purchase passes and would indirectly benefit locals who can more easily come by the office to purchase one. HAB Recommendation: Reducing annual pass to $40-60
Staff Recommendation: Reducing annual pass to $83 which is consistent with the proportional difference between the daily vs annual pass for trailers (Trailers $12 and $200 vs Single Stall $5 and $83)
5. Expansion to Tidelands Park
Consideration: If Tidelands Park continues to be free while the launch ramp is paid, it will likely see more use by those avoiding to pay. Liveaboards commonly use this lot and they may be affected by the increased use. If Tidelands Park also becomes paid parking and
they receive a free annual parking pass, they will likely see a benefit because there will be more parking available and they will be able to park for no additional fee. HAB Recommendation: Keep Tidelands Park free
Staff Recommendation: Keep Tidelands Park free. Re-evaluate as needed
6. Timing
Consideration: If there are no changes to the fees or annual passes, single stall paid parking could go into effect at the beginning of 2026. If there are changes, staff recommends waiting until July 1, 2026 so that the revised fees can be included in the upcoming FY 2026-27 Master Fee Schedule.
HAB Recommendation: Begin February 1st.
Staff Recommendation: Begin March 1
st. Annual pass fee reduction on July 1st
CONCLUSION
Although paid parking for single stalls at the launch ramp has been previously reviewed and recommended, Harbor Staff wanted to provide HAB and the public the opportunity to provide additional feedback to City Council before enacting single stall paid parking.
Staff would like to postpone enacting single-stall fee collection until March 1st to allow for notification and signage. If City Council would like to move the fee reduction from July 1st to March 1st, they may direct staff to present a resolution to be adopted at a February meeting.
Staff recommends City Council approve the modifications as proposed.
ATTACHMENT
None