Agenda Item
Approvals:
Dept. Head
Admin. Asst.
Attachment 1Attachment 1AGENDA REPORT
Attachment 1
Attachment 1
BEACHES, PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
Meeting Date: April 9, 2024
Department: Beaches, Parks & Recreation
Prepared By: Samantha Wylie, Beaches, Parks & Recreation Director Subject: Dog Access on City Beaches – Pilot Program
Fiscal Impact: None.
Summary: Staff is requesting comment and/or direction from the Beaches, Parks & Recreation Commission (“Commission”) regarding dog access on city beaches.
Background: At its October 10, 2023 meeting, the BPR Commission considered options to increase dog access to city beaches. Upon discussion, the Commission recommended (3-1) that the Council consider amending the municipal code to allow for dogs on the beach under the following circumstances:
North Beach only, 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., daily
Dogs may be off-leash
Signage must be posted stating that dog owners are responsible for the actions of their dogs, including cleaning up fecal waste The recommendation includes access being limited to San Clemente residents All dogs must be licensed through the Coastal Animal Services Agency (CASA) At its January 16, 2024, meeting, the City Council reviewed the Commission recommendation and directed staff and the Commission to reconsider the format and parameters for allowing dog access and then return to the Council with a recommendation for a pilot program that takes into consideration regulatory input (ie. Coastal Commission and environmental findings), as well as an evaluation of the best time(s) and location(s) for dog access on the beach(es). The Commission should further consider whether it is appropriate for dogs to be on-leash or off-leash while accessing the beach.
Discussion: The Commission should consider the following options when providing a recommendation to the Council:
Pilot Program: Implement a limited-duration pilot program to assess the feasibility and impact of allowing dogs on designated areas of city beaches. The pilot program would involve monitoring and evaluation to gather data on issues such as waste management, public safety, and community satisfaction.
Designated Dog Beach Areas: Identify specific sections of city beaches where dog access would be permitted while maintaining designated areas for non-dog beachgoers. These designated dog beach areas would be clearly marked and accompanied by signage outlining rules and regulations for dog owners.
Seasonal Restrictions: Consider implementing seasonal restrictions on dog access to coincide with peak tourist seasons or sensitive ecological periods. This approach would balance the interests of residents and visitors while minimizing potential conflicts and environmental impacts.
Education and Outreach: Develop comprehensive educational materials and outreach campaigns to inform residents and visitors about responsible dog ownership practices, including leash laws, waste disposal, and beach etiquette. Public awareness efforts would be crucial in promoting positive behavior and minimizing negative impacts associated with dog access on city beaches.
An overview of surrounding agency dog access policies is provided in Attachment 1. Based on these models and further taking into consideration the citizens of San Clemente usage and beach terrain, staff recommends the Commission consider the following:
Allow dog access on select City-owned beaches (consider North and South Pier (Tower 3 to Tower 4), and North Beach (Tower 12 to Tower 14) Permit dogs on city beaches before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and from dawn to 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m. from Labor Day to Memorial Day.
Dogs must be on a 6’ or shorter leash at all times.
Dogs must be licensed; owners must pick up waste
Off-leash dogs are not permitted
Establish a one-year pilot program from the date of adoption/municipal code amendment Regulatory Considerations
While the California Coastal Commission (“CCC”) has not provided a formal opinion on the subject, based on the actions and policies in allowing dogs on the beach in surrounding agencies, the CCC will consider allowing it through a staff review/waiver but may require additional permitting.
Environmentally, allowing dogs on the beach would require an Initial Study to be completed under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) guidelines. If the initial study identifies potentially significant environmental impacts, staff may prepare a Negative Declaration or a Mitigated Negative Declaration. This document would describe the project, its potential impacts, and any measures proposed to mitigate those impacts.
One area of consideration that will need to be further investigated is the Western Snowy Plover, an endangered nesting shorebird species that is present on the coast. An important strategy for mitigating impacts on such species is to require that dogs remain on leash at all times and proper interpretative signage is posted to inform the public of the species that may be present.
Recommended
Action: Staff Recommends That the the Beaches, Parks & Recreation Commission discuss and provide a recommendation to the City Council for a pilot program to allow dog access on San Clemente City beaches, and provide additional guidance on location(s) and operations.
Attachments: 1. Comparable Agency Review
Notification: Interested Parties
DOG ACCESS – COMPARABLE AGENCY REVIEW
City of Laguna Beach
No designated dog beach
Dogs are allowed on city beaches before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m. between June 15th – September 10th and during regular beach hours from September 11th – June 14th.
Dogs must be on a 6’ or shorter leash at all times.
Owners must clean up waste.
Capistrano Beach/Hole in the Fence (County of Orange)
Dogs are not permitted June 15 to Sept. 10 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Dogs must be on leash at all times
Dogs are allowed in water
City of Huntington Beach
Huntington Dog Beach – designated on-leash dog beach, open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Dogs must be licensed; owners must pick up waste
Dogs are allowed in the water.
San Diego
Dog Beach (“Ocean Beach”): 24 hr. off-leash
Fiesta Island - Mission Bay: Dogs are allowed in all areas daily from 6:00 AM to 10:00 p.m., except for the campground and nesting sites (seasonal).
North Beach Dog Run – Coronado: 24 hr. off-leash
Dogs must be licensed; owners must pick up waste
Dogs are allowed in the water.
City of Del Mar
South Beach: On-leash only (6-foot), year-round
Main Beach: On-leash (6-foot), Labor Day through June 15th; Off-leash, allowed from 25th to 29th street from dawn to 8:00 am; No dogs are allowed June 16th through Labor Day.
North Beach: Off-leash dogs all day from the day after Labor Day through June 15th, and from dawn until 8:00 am June 16th through Labor Day. Dogs must be leashed from 8:00 a.m. until dawn June 16th through Labor Day.
Dogs must be licensed; owners must pick up waste
Dogs are allowed in the water in designated areas.
City of Newport Beach
Dogs are not allowed between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Before 10 a.m. and after 4:30 p.m., dogs are allowed, if they are securely restrained by a substantial leash or chain not exceeding six feet in length and controlled by a person who is competent to restrain the dog.
Off-leash dogs are never allowed
Cardiff State Beach
Dogs are permitted on Cardiff State Beach.
All dogs must be on a 6’ leash and under the owner's control at all times.
Dogs are NOT allowed on beaches in the following cities:
Oceanside
Carlsbad
Seal Beach
Encinitas
Recreation Agenda Report
ATTACHMENT 1