CITY FACILITY NAMING POLICY
A. Purpose and Legal Authority
This Policy establishes the criteria and procedures under which the City of Redondo Beach may name or rename City facilities, including to recognize significant historical, geographic, and community contributions, through the sale of naming rights, and to generate supplemental revenue for the maintenance and development of City facilities.
Naming and renaming City facilities is a discretionary act of the City Council.
B. Definitions
1. Major Facility: a city‑owned building or park constructed for permanent public use.
2. Neighborhood Facility: a smaller city‑owned space or structure located within a major facility, including but not limited to recreation courts, trail segments, athletic fields, meeting rooms, or community-use spaces such as Senior Centers or Community Centers.
3. Park Structures: minor structures within a park, including but not limited to benches, shade structures, fences, or playground equipment.
C. Criteria for Naming
To be considered for naming, a proposed name must meet at least one of the following criteria:
1. Geographic and Historical Significance
a. Reflects the facility’s geographic location, a significant natural feature, or an adjacent subdivision, street, or school, to help the public identify the facility’s location within the community.
b. Commemorates historical events, groups, or individuals of lasting importance to the City, region, state, or nation.
2. Individuals
a. Individuals who have demonstrated exceptional community service or made significant contributions that support the facility’s mission may be recognized if they meet one or more of the following:
i. Held leadership roles in civic organizations dedicated to community improvement.
ii. Led or promoted community events or activities that enhanced local quality of life.
b. A minimum one‑year waiting period applies after an individual’s death unless waived by a 4/5ths vote of the City Council.
c. Notwithstanding subsections (a)–(b) above, an individual (living or deceased) may be eligible for naming without regard to the one-year waiting period where the individual or a donor on the individual’s behalf contributes $5,000,000 as adjusted by CPI* from the enactment date of this ordinance [subject to negotiation] or more in cash, land, or equivalent value, toward the acquisition, construction, or endowment of the facility, subject to City Council approval and the vetting process described in Section 4.
3. Donations
a. Individuals who provided major contributions or gifts that enabled the acquisition or development of the facility.
b. The scale of the facility named should reflect the significance of the honoree’s contribution. Consideration may include:
i. Donation of land that represented a substantial portion of the facility. ii. Contribution of at least 50% of capital construction costs. iii. Establishment of an endowment covering at least 50% of the facility’s estimated useful life for maintenance or programming.
4. Vetting Process
a. At the request of the City Council, the City may conduct a diligent investigation of a proposed honoree or sponsoring corporation, including a review of publicly available information (including court records, media coverage, and, where applicable, professional or regulatory sanctions). b. Individuals with a disqualifying background, if determined by the City Council through any investigation, may not be approved. c. The following names shall not be considered:
i. Current elected or appointed officials
ii. Individuals currently employed by the city or a municipal entity
5. Other
a. Naming rights are honorary and promotional only. They do not provide the honoree, applicant, or sponsoring corporation with any ownership interest or decision-making authority over the facility.
D. Corporate Naming Rights
City Council may select naming rights for major facilities and neighborhood facilities.
Council may issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) or solicit proposals through other appropriate methods. Corporate logos, brands, or insignias may be incorporated in the facility signage when appropriate, provided they do not result in over‑commercialization of the public asset.
1. Proposals will be evaluated based on:
a. The corporation’s overall reputation
b. Alignment of the corporation’s products or services with the facility’s purpose.
c. Duration and financial value of the proposed naming rights i. Naming rights typically span 5–20 years and expire at the end of the agreed term unless renewed at the City’s discretion.
ii. If a facility is demolished or replaced, naming rights may be transferred but are not guaranteed.
iii. Naming rights cannot extend beyond the operational life of the corporation, or, where the facility is held by the City under a ground lease or similar agreement with another entity, the remaining term of the City’s leasehold or operational interest in the facility, whichever is shorter.
d. Conflict-of-interest and ethics review consistent with the City’s Conflict of Interest Code and applicable Fair Political Practices Commission regulations (2 Cal. Code Regs. §§ 18110–18997), including disclosure of any financial relationship between the proposed sponsor or donor and any City official or employee.
2. At the discretion of the City Council, as determined by a 4/5ths vote, the City may revoke naming rights at any time if the corporation’s reputation, behavior, or public actions no longer align with the City’s values or community standards. Naming rights may also be terminated immediately, without compensation or refund to the sponsor, in the event of the sponsor’s insolvency, assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the filing of a voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy petition. All costs related to signage removal or rebranding costs associated with such a termination shall be borne by the sponsor or drawn from a deposit collected at the time the naming rights agreement is executed.
E. Restrictions on Naming
1. Major Facilities and Park Structures are not eligible for individual naming unless proposed and approved by the City Council.
a. Park structures such as trees or plaques fall under the City’s Commemorative Donation Program.
b. The following are not eligible for renaming:
i. Civic Center
ii. 9/11 Memorial
iii. Veterans Park
iv. Redondo Beach Historic Library
v. Facilities for which the City lacks legal authority to grant a naming right, including facilities owned and controlled entirely by another governmental entity.
2. Restrictions for naming Neighborhood Facilities:
a. Duplicate names of existing City facilities will not be considered. b. Facilities will not be subdivided for naming unless clear, existing physical divisions are present (e.g., roads, waterways).
c. Names that are discriminatory or derogatory based on protected characteristics will not be considered.
d. Names may not promote political figures, affiliations, ideologies, or religions e. Names that are overly complex, corrupted, modified, or profane names will not be considered.
f. At the discretion of the City Council, as determined by a 4/5ths vote of the City Council, at any point in time, the City may revoke naming rights if the individual’s reputation, behavior, or public actions no longer align with the City’s values or community standards,
F. Naming Process
1. Major Facilities
a. The naming process begins with City Council approval of the facility’s design, construction, or acquisition. City Council will oversee the naming process.
b. A permanent name should be selected no later than 50% completion of construction or acquisition
c. Until officially named, the facility will be referred to by its address or location d. The process includes:
i. Initiation upon project approval
ii. Submission of naming suggestions in writing to the City Manager e. The City Manager will direct staff to evaluate:
i. Alignment with this policy
ii. Impact on existing facilities
iii. Financial impact of signage changes
iv. Appropriateness of the proposed name
f. All Major Facility names require approval by a 4/5ths vote of the City Council.
2. Neighborhood Facilities
a. The naming process for Neighborhood Facilities may be initiated by the City Council.
i. The City Council is exempt from the application fee. b. Otherwise, requests must be submitted to the City Clerk using the Neighborhood Facility Naming Application.
c. The City Clerk forwards the application to the Public Amenities Commission, which must provide a recommendation within 30 days of submission. If the Commission rejects the request, the process ends.
d. If approved, a notice of intent to name/rename is posted through the City’s official public communication channels at least 14 days before the City Council meeting.
e. Staff prepares an Administrative Report that includes cost estimates for the proposal and evaluates its alignment with this policy, its impacts on existing facilities, the financial implications of required signage changes, and the overall appropriateness of the proposed name.
f. The City Council reviews the request at a regular meeting. If the City Council rejects the request, the process ends.
g. All Neighborhood Facility names require approval by a 4/5ths vote of the City Council. City Council decisions are final.
h. Upon approval, the applicant must submit full payment within 30 days. Work will not begin until payment is received.
G. Cost Responsibility
Applicants are responsible for all fees associated with administration, labor, and materials.
Applicable fees will be based on the City’s Master Fee Schedule. Application fees are due at the time of submission and are non-refundable.
H. Guidelines for Renaming
Renaming is strongly discouraged and should only occur following careful review.
1. Facilities named after individuals will only be renamed if the honoree’s character is found to conflict with the City’s values or community standards.
2. Exceptions may be considered for changes in facility use or demolition.
3. If renaming is determined to be in the City’s best interest, the same criteria and procedures outlined in this policy must be followed.
I. Policy Administration
1. City Council may amend this policy as needed.
2. Existing facility names established prior to the adoption of this policy are grandfathered. However, if a facility is proposed for renaming, the same criteria and procedures outlined in this policy must be followed.
CITY FACILITY NAMING FEES
Note: Unless otherwise specified in an approved naming rights agreement, the estimated costs below reflect a naming term of five (5) years, consistent with common practice among comparable public agencies. Longer terms, and the corresponding fee, may be negotiated subject to City Council approval. Staff/Finance to confirm actual facility inventory and update these figures following a cost-of-service review under Government Code § 66014.
FEES
Application Fee Cost
Naming Fee (non-refundable) $100
Renaming Fee (non-refundable) $100 (plus replacement signs and admin) *Application fees are due at the time of submission and are non-refundable.
Facility Type Estimated Cost*
Baseball Fields $5,000 - $24,000
Sports Arenas $10,000 - $40,000
Sport Courts $5,000 - $24,000
Amphitheaters $5,000 - $24,000
Skateparks $15,000 - $100,000
Community Gardens $5,000 - $10,000
Splash Pads $10,000 - $40,000
Swimming Facility $5,000 - $48,000
Community Center Rooms $5,000 - $64,000
Trails $1,000 - $200,000
*Estimated Cost varies by facility, naming type, and term. **Final costs will be determined as part of the City Council’s approval process.
SIGNAGE COSTS
Size Estimated Cost* Facility Type
Plaque (10” x 14”) $550 - $1,500 Community Room
Small (12” x 18”) $10 - $50 Trails, Community Gardens
Medium (18” x 24”) $15 - $65 Splash Pad, Swimming Facility, Amphitheater, Sports Courts
Large (30” x 36”) $55 - $300 Sports Arenas, Ball Fields, Skate Park *Estimated Cost varies by facility, naming type, term, and materials.
CITY OF REDONDO BEACH
NEIGHBORHOOD FACILITY NAMING APPLICATION
This application is required for any request to name or rename a Neighborhood Facility in accordance with the City Facility Naming Policy. Applicants must review the policy before submitting to ensure the proposed name meets all eligibility, documentation, and procedural requirements. Incomplete applications may delay processing. Applicants are responsible for all administration, labor, and materials costs, as outlined in the City’s Master Fee Schedule. Application fees are due at submission and are non‑refundable.
A. Applicant Information
Applicant Name:
Organization (if applicable):
Address:
Phone:
Email:
B. Type of Request (Select one)
☐ New Name Request ☐ Renaming Request
If renaming, current facility name:
C. Facility Information
Type of Facility: ☐ Neighborhood Facility
☐ Neighborhood Facility within a Park
Facility Name (if existing):
Facility Address / Location:
If within a park, attach map or
description:
☐ Attached ☐ Not Applicable
D. Proposed Name
Proposed Name:
Naming Category (select all
that apply):
☐ Geographic & Historic Significance
☐ Individual
☐ Donation
☐ Corporate Sponsorship
☐ Other: _________________________________________
If “Corporate Sponsorship” is selected above, applicant must also complete and attach the Corporate Sponsorship Addendum, which shall include the proposed term, proposed financial or in-kind value, and the ethics/conflict-of-interest disclosure required under Section 6 of this Policy.
E. Justification for Proposed Name
Explain why this name is being proposed (attach additional pages if needed):
F. Community Support Documentation (If applicable)
☐ Letters / petitions attached ☐ Not applicable
G. Honoree Information
Required if naming after an individual, group, or donor.
Name of Honoree:
Documentation of significance, contributions, and
good reputation:
☐ Attached ☐ Not Applicable
H. Applicant Certification
I certify that the information provided is accurate and that I have reviewed the City’s Facility Naming Policy. I acknowledge that naming rights granted under this Policy are honorary and promotional only, do not convey any ownership or decision-making interest in the facility, and may be revoked by the City Council as provided in this Policy.
Applicant Signature Date
City Use Only
Date Received
Received By
Application Fee Paid Date
Notes