ORDINANCE NO. 3305-25
ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS
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ORDINANCE NO. 3305-25
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE 10,
CHAPTER 4, ARTICLES 1, 3, 4, 5 AND 6, SECTIONS 10-
4.104, 10-4.302, 10-4,304, 10-4.307, 10-4.308, 10-4.309, 10-
4.310, 10-4.404, 10-4.501 and 10-4.601 PERTAINING TO
HISTORIC RESOURCES PRESERVATION
WHEREAS, the City of Redondo Beach employs a number of Commissions that serve as advisory and decision-making bodies that provide public input and expertise to the City Council on specific areas of interest; and
WHEREAS, the role of the Commissions has evolved through the years; and WHEREAS, several sections of the Redondo Beach Municipal Code sections related to the City’s Commissions have become outdated and no longer reflect the role they play for the City; and
WHEREAS, the evolution of Commission-related ordinances has resulted in duplicative and conflicting elements that complicate operations and are in need of revisions; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to clearly define the role of each commission; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to ensure the Redondo Beach Municipal Code accurately reflects the needs served by each Commission; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to eliminate conflicting elements of the Commission-related ordinances; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to clearly define objective attendance requirements for Commissioners.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. AMENDMENT OF CODE. Title 10, Chapter 4, Article 1, Section 10-4.104 is hereby amended and shall read as follows:
Ҥ 10-4.104 Definitions.
For the purpose of this chapter, unless otherwise apparent from the context, certain words and phrases are defined as follows:
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"Alteration" means any exterior change or modification of any landmark or of any improvement located on a property within an historic district including, but not limited to, exterior changes to or modifications of an improvement, or a structure or any of its architectural details or visual characteristics, including paint color and surface texture, grading, surface paving, and new structures.
Alteration, minor. "Minor alteration" means an alteration that has been determined to have limited potential to affect the defining character and architectural style of the subject structure or resource. In no case shall minor alterations include actions involving new construction or full or partial demolition of a resource, or actions requiring approval on the basis of a finding of economic hardship.
"Certificate of appropriateness" means a certificate approving such plans, specifications, design, or statements of work, for any proposed alteration, restoration, demolition, removal, or relocation, in whole or in part, of or to improvements relative to landmarks or any property within a historic district.
"Commission" means the Public Amenities Commission established by Chapter 9, Title 2 of this Code.
"Contributing building" means a building within an historic district that has a special character, special historic or aesthetic interest or value, and is incorporated into the district for that reason.
"Demolition" means any acts that destroy in whole or in part, a building, structure, or improvement.
"Exterior architectural feature" means the architectural style, design, general arrangement, components, natural features and all the outer surfaces of an improvement, including, but not limited to, the kind and texture of the building material, the type and style of all windows, doors, lights, signs, walls, fences, and other fixtures appurtenant to such improvement.
"Historic district" may be a geographic district or a thematic district. A "geographic district" means any geographic area, such as one or more blocks or block faces containing a multiple number of historically significant resources within the area. A "thematic district" means a compilation of historic resources that are not geographically linked, but rather are linked by similar characteristics that can be clearly articulated. In either kind of district the resources collectively have a special character or special historic, cultural, architectural, archeological, community or aesthetic value, or represent one or more architectural periods or styles typical to the history of the City. The resources may or may not have individual merit, but rather are significant because of qualification in a district. "Historic resource" means any improvement, building, structure, landscape, sign, feature, site, place or area of scientific, aesthetic, educational, cultural, architectural, or historic significance to the citizens of the City.
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"Improvement" means any building, structure, place, wall, fence, gate, sign, landscaping, or other object constituting a physical alteration of real property, or any part of such alteration.
"Landmark" means any improvement that has historical, cultural, aesthetic or architectural character or value, or which represents one or more architectural periods or styles typical to the history of the City and that has been designated as a landmark pursuant to this chapter.
"Minor Alterations Subcommittee" means a subcommittee of the Commission whose function is to review certificates of appropriateness involving minor alterations and to advise the Commission on matters of an architectural and design nature. The Minor Alterations Subcommittee shall consist of the following three members appointed by the chairperson of the Commission: the staff liaison to the Commission, and two members of the Commission, one of which shall be a professional from the field of architecture, if such a professional sits on the Commission.
"Noncontributing building" means a building within an historic district that does not possess the qualifications or characteristics of a contribution building due to such factors as age or alteration, but which has been included within the district because of its impact on the geographic integrity and overall character of the district. "Ordinary maintenance" means any cleaning, painting, or similar work that does not result in the alteration of an improvement.
"Person" means any individual, association, partnership, firm, corporation, public agency, or political subdivision.
"Potential historic resource" means any improvement, building, structure, landscape, sign, feature, site, place or area that is: (1) listed in the City's Historic Resources Inventory with a National Register rating of 1-5 or a local survey rating of A or B; and/or (2) listed in the National Register of Historic Places or California Register; and/or (3) that has been evaluated pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act and determined by the Community Development Director to meet the criteria listed in (1) and/or (2) above. "Relocation" means the displacement of any improvement within the same site. "Removal" means the displacement of any improvement from the site. "Restoration" means the act or process of accurately recovering the form and details of a property and its setting as it appeared at a particular period of time by means of the removal of later work or by the replacement of missing earlier work.” SECTION 2. AMENDMENT OF CODE. Title 10, Chapter 4, Article 3, Section 10-4.302 is hereby amended and shall read as follows:
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Ҥ 10-4.302 Minimum eligibility requirements, landmark.
In order to be eligible for consideration as a landmark, an historic resource must be at least 50 years old; with the exception that an historic resource of at least 30 years of age may be eligible if the Commission determines that the resource is very exceptional, or that it is threatened by demolition, removal, relocation, or inappropriate alteration.” SECTION 3. AMENDMENT OF CODE. Title 10, Chapter 4, Article 3, Section 10-4.304 is hereby amended and shall read as follows:
Ҥ 10-4.304 Minimum eligibility requirements, historic district.
In order to be eligible for consideration as an historic district, at least 75% of the buildings in the proposed district (excluding accessory buildings) must be at least 50 years old or otherwise meet the requirement of Section 10-4.302. In addition, no more than 25% of the buildings in the proposed district (excluding accessory buildings) may be noncontributing. Noncontributing buildings may be included as part of an historic district only to the extent that the Commission determines them to be essential to the geographic integrity of the district. The Commission shall make determinations identifying any noncontributing buildings within an historic district as part of the review process.” SECTION 4. AMENDMENT OF CODE. Title 10, Chapter 4, Article 3, Section 10-4.307 is hereby amended and shall read as follows:
“§ 10-4.307 Owner’s withdrawal of consent.
A property owner who has signed an application for inclusion of his or her property in a proposed historic district may withdraw such consent by filing a written notice of withdrawal with the City Clerk at any time prior to the close of the public hearing thereon before the Commission or before the City Council on appeal, if any.” SECTION 5. AMENDMENT OF CODE. Title 10, Chapter 4, Article 3, Section 10-4.308 is hereby amended and shall read as follows:
Ҥ 10-4.308 Commission study and determination.
Upon acceptance of a completed application for the designation of a landmark or historic district, a public hearing shall be scheduled before the Commission to study the proposed designation and to determine its eligibility and qualifications. Following the public hearing, the Commission shall decide to approve, in whole or in part, or disapprove the designation. All decisions to approve or disapprove designations shall be made by resolution, and shall set forth the findings and reasons relied upon in making the determination.”
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SECTION 6. AMENDMENT OF CODE. Title 10, Chapter 4, Article 3, Section 10-4.309 is hereby amended and shall read as follows:
Ҥ 10-4.309 Notice of designation, City departments.
Notice of the designation of a landmark or an historic district shall be transmitted to all appropriate City departments and any other interested governmental and civic agencies.
Each City department shall incorporate the notice of designation into its records, so that future decisions or permissions regarding or affecting a landmark or historic district shall be made with the knowledge of the designation. For projects to be carried out by the City, or subject to discretionary approval by the City, that have a direct adverse effect on a landmark or properties within an historic district as determined by the responsible department, notice shall be given to the Commission. The Commission may review such projects and provide comments and recommendations to the reviewing or decisionmaking body.”
SECTION 7. AMENDMENT OF CODE. Title 10, Chapter 4, Article 3, Section 10-4.310 is hereby amended and shall read as follows:
Ҥ 10-4.310 Removal of designation.
(a) In the event of substantial destruction of a landmark or historic district, the owner or owners of a landmark or owners representing a majority or controlling interest in a minimum of 51% of the parcels in an historic district may apply for removal of designation.
The Commission or City Council may also initiate removal in such circumstances. The removal of a designation for this reason shall be processed and decided in the same manner as designations as set forth in this article, with the additional requirement that the determination of substantial destruction shall be set forth in the findings of the Commission.
(b) The complete demolition or removal of a landmark shall result in the removal of the landmark designation.
(c) Once a landmark or historic district designation has been removed, affected properties shall no longer be subject to any provision or regulation of this chapter.” SECTION 8. AMENDMENT OF CODE. Title 10, Chapter 4, Article 4, Section 10-4.404 is hereby amended and shall read as follows:
Ҥ 10-4.404 Certificate of appropriateness for removal or demolition. (a) Discretionary review of demolition permits. The demolition of a historic landmark, buildings in a historic district, or potential historic resource as described by this chapter is considered to be a discretionary permit and subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Permit Streamlining Act. Therefore, a demolition permit shall not be issued pursuant to Title 9, Chapter 17, until the requirements of Article 4 herein have been met.
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(b) Demolition review and conditions.
(1) The demolition of a landmark, structure located within an historic district, or potential historic resource shall be referred to the Commission for review and conditions.
(2) Where appropriate, the Commission may require that a memorial of the resources be incorporated into the proposed redevelopment of the site. Some examples are a photographic display, a book or pamphlet, an exhibit, re-use of original fixtures, and other methods deemed appropriate by the Commission. (c) Concurrent processing of demolition permits and replacement plans. (1) No permit to wholly or partially demolish, remove or relocate a historic landmark, building in a historic district, or potential historic resource shall be considered unless accompanied by complete applications for approvals necessary for the proposed new construction on the site.
(2) A demolition permit may not be issued until the building permit for the replacement structure is issued.
(3) Staff may refer the request for the replacement structure to the Commission for advisory direction.
(4) Exceptions may be granted to this section when compelled by public safety due to eminent hazard as determined by the Chief Building Official. (d) Criteria for approval of certificates of appropriateness. The Commission, or the City Council upon appeal, shall issue a certificate of appropriateness only when it determines the following conditions to exist as applicable in each case:
(1) In the case of the whole or partial demolition or removal of a landmark or structure located within an historic district:
a. The structure and/or site is a hazard to public health or safety and repairs or stabilization are not physically possible; or
b. The site is required for a public use which will be of more benefit to the public than the historic resource, and there is no feasible alternative location for the public use; or
c. Removal of the resource to another site is not feasible or practical; or ORDINANCE NO. 3305-25
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d. For a building in an historic district, the proposed replacement structure will not detract from or adversely affect the character of the historic district; or
e. For a partial demolition or removal, such action will not result in the loss of the essential elements that make the resource significant. (2) In the case where the applicant has requested consideration for approval of whole or partial demolition or removal on the basis of economic hardship:
a. It is not feasible to remove the resource to another site or otherwise preserve it; and
b. The denial of the proposed work will work an immediate and substantial hardship on the applicant because of condition peculiar to the particular improvement; and
c. The property cannot be put to a reasonable use or the owner cannot obtain a reasonable economic return therefrom without approval of the proposed work.”
SECTION 9. AMENDMENT OF CODE. Title 10, Chapter 4, Article 5, Section 10-4.501 is hereby amended and shall read as follows:
Ҥ 10-4.501 Commission review of alterations.
Any alteration to be conducted at the site of a potential historic resource or district may be referred by staff to the Commission prior to commencing any such work when staff determines that such review will assist the property owner in maintaining the significance and/or architectural integrity of the resource and to address issues of appropriateness and designation. Certain alterations, listed below, are excluded:
(a) Repairing or replacing deteriorated materials with applications or use of exterior materials of the same kind, type, and texture already in use on the resource and/or consistent with the style or period for re-roofing, windows, siding material, chimneys and fireplaces;
(b) Accessory structures;
(c) Fencing; and/or
(d) Additions or deletions of awnings, shutters, canopies and similar incidental appurtenances.”
SECTION 10. AMENDMENT OF CODE. Title 10, Chapter 4, Article 6, Section 10-4.601 is hereby amended and shall read as follows:
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Ҥ 10-4.601 Appeals.
Any decision by the Commission to approve or disapprove a designation of a landmark or historic district, or to approve or disapprove a Certificate Of Appropriateness, or to remove or not remove a property from the potential historic resource list pursuant to Section 10-4.311, shall be final and conclusive unless, by 5:00 p.m. of the tenth (10th) day following such decision (or of the next working day if the tenth (10th) day falls on a weekend or holiday):
(a) A written appeal on the form designated by the City is filed by any interested party with the City Clerk requesting a public hearing before the City Council stating the grounds for the appeal and all required fees for said appeal are paid in full; or (b) The Mayor or a member of the City Council requests a public hearing before the City Council stating the grounds for the appeal. Provided however that the City Council member or Mayor requesting the appeal shall disqualify him or herself from hearing the appeal unless he or she can certify in writing that the appeal is being requested as a result of public interest in the decision to be reviewed and he or she has no predisposition against or in favor of the project. The City Council as a whole shall be prohibited from voting to appeal any matter in which they will sit as the reviewing body.
Such appeal, or City Council request for a public hearing, shall be set for a public hearing by the City Clerk in a timely fashion.”
SECTION 11. Any provisions of the Redondo Beach Municipal Code, or appendices thereto, or any other ordinances of the City inconsistent herewith, to the extent of such inconsistencies and no further, are hereby repealed.
SECTION 12. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase 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 the ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this ordinance and each section, subsection, sentence, clause, and phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses, or phrases be declared invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 13. This ordinance shall be published by one insertion in the official newspaper of said city or published in conformance with the alternative publication requirements pursuant to Redondo Beach City Charter §9.15 and same shall go into effect and be in full force and operation from and after thirty (30) days after its final passage and adoption.
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PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 14th day of October, 2025. ________________________
James A. Light, Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: ATTEST:
________________________________ ________________________________ Joy A. Ford, City Attorney Eleanor Manzano, CMC, City Clerk ORDINANCE NO. 3305-25
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss
CITY OF REDONDO BEACH )
I, Eleanor Manzano, City Clerk of the City of Redondo Beach, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance No. 3305-25 was duly introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the 7 th day of
October, 2025, and was duly approved and adopted by the City Council at a regular meeting of said City Council held on the 14th day of October, 2025, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Eleanor Manzano, CMC
City Clerk