1 City Council Meeting: July 29, 2025 Santa Monica, California RESOLUTION NUMBER _________ (CCS)
(City Council Series)
AN EMERGENCY RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 2.16 OF THE SANTA
MONICA MUNICIPAL CODE RATIFYING THE PROCLAMATION OF EXISTENCE OF
LOCAL EMERGENCY AND SUPPLEMENTAL PROCLAMATIONS THERETO
WHEREAS, life-threatening, destructive, widespread windstorm and extreme fire weather system commenced on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, impacting the Los Angeles metropolitan area, including the City of Santa Monica and the County and City of Los Angeles, and threatening life and safety, public and private property and structures, and other critical infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the National Weather Service advised that damaging N/NE gusts of 50-80 mph, as well as isolated 80-100 mph in the mountains and foothills, were expected across most of Los Angeles metropolitan area; and
WHEREAS, commencing on January 7, 2025, the Palisades Fire and other major fires, including, but not limited to, the Eaton Fire located primarily in Altadena (Regional Fires) ignited in Los Angeles County, burning over well over 40,000 acres; and WHEREAS, high winds, low humidity, and dry conditions increased the intensity and spread of the Regional Fires, causing imminent threats to life with Red Flag warnings in effect in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties and widespread dangerous windstorm conditions with damaging wind gusts of 50 to 80 mph were forecasted; and 2 WHEREAS, the Regional Fires and windstorm conditions threatened structures, homes, and critical infrastructure, including power lines and water tanks, prompted evacuation orders and warnings, and impacted the access route to the Regional Fires communities; and
WHEREAS, along with the windstorm, the Regional Fires spread across more than 40,000 acres, damaging or destroying structures and prompting evacuation orders and road closures, and continued to threaten structures, homes and critical infrastructure over multiple days; and
WHEREAS, the National Weather Service issued a rare Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) Red Flag warning for 19 million people in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, which means there is a high risk of extreme fire behavior and very rapid growth due to dangerously high winds, low humidity and extremely dry vegetation; and WHEREAS, this weather system caused extreme conditions such as power outages, damage to power poles, fallen trees, and extreme fire behavior, impacting significant transportation arteries, requiring long-term repair and threatening the integrity of the critical infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, based upon the above events, by reason of its magnitude, and the need to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the residents and property of the City of Santa Monica, and aid in the assistance of those affected by the Regional Fires, these events created conditions likely to become beyond the control of the normal services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of the regularly constituted branches and departments of the City Government, and that such emergency conditions require the 3 mobilization of mutual aid resources and the ability to coordinate a multiagency response; and
WHEREAS, on January 7, 2025, as a result of the widespread windstorm and extreme fire weather, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors proclaimed a Local Emergency in the County of Los Angeles; and
WHEREAS, on January 7, 2025, the Mayor of the City of Los Angeles declared the existence of a Local Emergency throughout the City of Los Angeles to take such steps that are necessary for the protection of life and property; and WHEREAS, on January 7, 2025, the Governor of the State of California declared a state of emergency to make additional resources available; and WHEREAS, the City of Santa Monica (the City) has a population of over 90,000 residents, is a major tourist destination, has two major hospitals and an airport within its jurisdiction, is a significant destination for business travel, and is adjacent to and contiguous on three sides with the City of Los Angeles, resulting in high volumes of residents and visitors traveling within and across the City’s borders; and WHEREAS, on January 7, 2025, the City activated its Emergency Operations Center to support ongoing emergency actions in response to the spread of the Regional Fires; and
WHEREAS, the City intends to continue to take bold and aggressive actions to protect the public health and safety during this local and state emergency; and 4 WHEREAS, the above-described events created conditions of extreme peril and such conditions are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of the City, requiring the combined forces of other political subdivisions to combat; and
WHEREAS, the Regional Fires have displaced many thousands of residents who are in need of temporary housing; and
WHEREAS, on January 8, 2025, the City Manager, in his role as the Director of Emergency Services, (“Executive Director of Emergency Services”) issued an Executive Order of the Director of Emergency Services of the City of Santa Monica Declaring the Existence of a Local Emergency (“Executive Order”) declaring a local emergency pursuant to Chapter 2.16 of the Santa Monica Municipal Code to ensure the availability an effective response to the Regional Fires; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Executive Order, the Executive Director of Emergency Services further: 1) relaxed permitting requirements for schools and child care and early education facilities that were displaced; 2) suspended preferential parking rules and enforcement of Santa Monica Municipal Code Chapters 6.20, Home-Sharing and Vacation Rentals, and 6.22, Residential Leasing Regulations for persons who provide alternative accommodations to persons displaced; 3) triggered prohibitions on pricegouging under the Santa Monica Municipal Code and the California Penal Code; 4) prohibited landlords from evicting residential tenants based on the presence of unauthorized occupants or pets, if the occupant or pet has been displaced due to an evacuation order or poor air quality conditions; 5) imposed a curfew in all areas subject to a mandatory evacuation order; 6) suspended all previously-issued building permits for 5 areas subject to mandatory evacuation orders and evacuation warnings; 7) triggered emergency procurement and expenditure provisions under Chapter 2.16; and 8) permits bed and breakfasts and hotels and motels to allow stays beyond 30 days; and WHEREAS, on January 10, 2025, the Executive Director of Emergency Services issued a Revised Executive Order of the Director of Emergency Services of the City of Santa Monica Declaring the Existence of a Local Emergency (“Revised Executive Order”) restating the declaration of local emergency, and 1) prohibiting landscaping activities in areas subject to a Mandatory Evacuation Order; and 2) making other minor amendments and clarifications; and
WHEREAS, on January 10, 2025, at a Special Meeting of the City Council, the Council adopted Resolution Number 11639 (CCS) to: 1) ratify the Executive Order and Revised Executive Order; 2) proclaim a local emergency throughout the City; and 3) authorize the Executive Director of Emergency Services to take all actions related to the protection of life and property that are reasonably necessary to respond to the local emergency caused by the Regional Fires; and
WHEREAS, on January 10, 2025, the City Council further directed staff to supplement the Executive Order to: 1) relax permitting requirements for small businesses and nonprofit organizations that were operating in Los Angeles County and have been impacted by the Regional Fires: 2) prioritize any necessary permitting and inspections for displaced schools, early childhood education centers, small businesses and nonprofit organizations, and clarify that strict adherence to building codes shall not be required on this temporary basis unless the provision directly affects health and safety; 3) grant priority on the City’s below market housing waitlist to households displaced by the 6 Regional Fires with minor children currently attending SMMUSD schools or that work in the City at least 25 hours per week; 4) prohibit open flames during times of red flag warnings; and 5) make other minor clarifications and corrections; and WHEREAS, on January 14, 2025, the Executive Director of Emergency Services issued a Second Revised Executive Order of the Director of Emergency Services of the City of Santa Monica Declaring the Existence of a Local Emergency (“Second Revised Executive Order”) to implement Council direction; and
WHEREAS, as of January 30, 2025, the Regional Fires destroyed more than 17,000 structures; and
WHEREAS, on January 31, 2025, the Executive Director of Emergency Services issued a First Supplement to the Executive Order to: 1) authorize schools with existing Conditional Use Permits in residential zones to expand to accommodate students from other campuses operated by the existing school displaced by the Regional Fires; 2) waive license fees for outdoor dining areas, sidewalk dining, parklets, and pier deck extended dining for the month of February 2025; 3) authorize the Finance Department to grant hotels and motels a 30-day extension for payment of Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT) and the Tourism Marketing District (TMD) Assessment due for December 2024; and 4) expanding criteria for Tier 1 priority on the City’s below market housing waitlist for incomequalifying households impacted by the Regional Fires; and WHEREAS, on February 25, 2025, the City Council adopted Resolution Number 11645 (CCS), ratifying the Executive Order, the Revised Executive Order, the Second Revised Executive Order, and the First Supplement to the Executive Order; and 7 WHEREAS, on February 25, the City Council further gave direction to phase out suspension of enforcement of Santa Monica Municipal Code Chapter 6.20, HomeSharing and Vacation Rentals, enforcement of Santa Monica Municipal Code 6.22.050,
6.22.060, and 6.22.070, Residential Leasing Regulations, and to clarify tenant protections for persons displaced that obtained housing during the suspension; and WHEREAS, on March 19, 2025, the Interim Executive Director of Emergency Services issued a Second Supplement to the Second Revised Executive Order to: 1) broaden the Order’s provisions to include schools and Child Care and Early Education Facilities that were expanding to accommodate students displaced by the Regional Fires; 2) terminate the portion of Section 3 of the Second Revised Emergency Order suspending enforcement of the provisions of the City’s Home-Sharing Ordinance as of April 18, 2025, and clarify that the resumption of enforcement does not require the eviction of any person occupying a rental unit pursuant to Section 3 of the Second Revised Emergency Order or terminate any tenant rights that any such person may have acquired; 3) expand the 30-day extension for payment of TOT and TMD to any request made on or before April 30, 2025; and 4) suspend certain provisions of Santa Monica Municipal Code 9.31.280, Restaurants, Limited-Service and Take-Out Only, and 9.31.290, Restaurants with Entertainment, and specific alcohol-related standards and conditions of approval established pursuant to any Alcohol Determination, Alcohol Exemption, or Conditional Use Permit entitlements to allow for additional flexibility in alcohol sales and service through April 30, 2025; and
WHEREAS, on March 28, 2025, on March 19, 2025, the Executive Director of Emergency Services issued a Third Supplement to the Second Revised Executive Order 8 to discount license fees by 50% for outdoor dining areas, sidewalk dining, parklets, and pier deck extended dining; and
WHEREAS, on April 16, 2025, the Executive Director of Emergency Services issued a Fourth Supplement to the Second Revised Executive Order to: 1) require, upon request of the City, that schools displaced by the Regional Fires that are operating or expanding as a temporary use in the City to submit a Parking and Loading Operations Plan for review and approval by the Director of the Community Development Department; 2) provide discounted rates City’s Downtown parking structures for schools displaced by the Regional Fires that are operating or expanding in the City’s Downtown for the remainder of the Spring 2025 semester; and 3) allow modifications to regulations for Temporary Preferential parking permits or 30 day Overnight Beach Residents & Guests permits to expire as of April 30, 2025; and
WHEREAS, on April 22, 2025, the City Council adopted Resolution Number 11659 (CCS), re-ratifying the Executive Order, the First and Second Revised Executive Order, and the First Supplement to the Executive Order, and ratifying the Second, Third, and Fourth Supplements to the Executive Order; and
WHEREAS, on April 22, 2025, the Council provided further direction to extend the provisions of Section 5 of the Second Supplement to the Emergency Order, which suspended certain provisions of Santa Monica Municipal Code 9.31.280, Restaurants, Limited-Service and Take-Out Only, and 9.31.290, Restaurants with Entertainment, and specific alcohol-related standards and conditions of approval established pursuant to any Alcohol Determination, Alcohol Exemption, or Conditional Use Permit entitlements to 9 allow for additional flexibility in alcohol sales and service through April 30, 2025, for an additional 60 days; and
WHEREAS, on April 29, 2025, the Executive Director of Emergency Services issued a Fifth Supplement to the Second Revised Executive Order to implement Council direction from April 22 and extend the provisions of Section 5 to the Second Supplement through June 30, 2025; and
WHEREAS, on June 10, 2025, the City Council adopted Resolution Number 11668 (CCS), re-ratifying the Executive Order, the First and Second Revised Executive Order, and the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Supplements to the Executive Order, and ratifying the Fifth Supplement to the Executive Order; and WHEREAS, on June 26, 2025, the Executive Director of Emergency Services issued a Sixth Supplement to the Second Revised Executive Order to extend the provisions of Section 5 to the Second Supplement through August 31, 2025; and WHEREAS the findings included in each Executive Order referenced herein are included herein as if stated in full; and
WHEREAS, although the immediate fire danger has subsided, the City has continued to receive requests to accommodate individuals, schools, and businesses displaced by the Regional Fires; and
WHEREAS, local businesses have reported that they are still experiencing economic impacts from the Regional Fires and face resulting economic uncertainty; and WHEREAS, the City has continued to receive reports of excessive pricing for rental housing and consumers and renters remain susceptible to price gouging due to the Regional Fires; and
10 WHEREAS, since adoption of Resolution 11668 on June 10, 2025, the City has received additional inquiries from displaced schools, early childhood education centers, and small businesses seeking flexibility from regulations in order to temporarily or permanently relocate to the City; and
WHEREAS in the interest of public health and safety, as affected by the state, and local emergency caused by the Regional Fires, it is necessary to exercise the City Council’s authority pursuant to Section 2.16.060 of the Santa Monica Municipal Code to ratify the actions of the Executive Director of Emergency Services related to the protection of life and property.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Executive Order of the Director of Emergency Services Declaring the Existence of a Local Emergency (“Executive Order”) (“Exhibit A”) is hereby ratified.
SECTION 2. The Revised Executive Order of the Director of Emergency Services Declaring the Existence of a Local Emergency (“Exhibit B”) is hereby ratified.
SECTION 3. The Second Revised Executive Order of the Director of Emergency Services Declaring the Existence of a Local Emergency (“Exhibit C”) is hereby ratified.
SECTION 4. The First Supplement to the Executive Order of the Director of Emergency Services Declaring the Existence of a Local Emergency (“Exhibit D”) is hereby ratified.
11 SECTION 5. The Second Supplement to the Executive Order of the Director of Emergency Services Declaring the Existence of a Local Emergency (“Exhibit E”) is hereby ratified.
SECTION 6. The Third Supplement to the Executive Order of the Director of Emergency Services Declaring the Existence of a Local Emergency (“Exhibit F”) is hereby ratified.
SECTION 7. The Fourth Supplement to the Executive Order of the Director of Emergency Services Declaring the Existence of a Local Emergency (“Exhibit G”) is hereby ratified.
SECTION 8. The Fifth Supplement to the Executive Order of the Director of Emergency Services Declaring the Existence of a Local Emergency (“Exhibit H”) is hereby ratified.
SECTION 9. The Sixth Supplement to the Executive Order of the Director of Emergency Services Declaring the Existence of a Local Emergency (“Exhibit I”) is hereby ratified.
SECTION 10. It is hereby proclaimed that a local emergency now exists throughout the City. It is further proclaimed and ordered that during the existence of this local emergency the powers, functions, and duties of the Director of Emergency Services and the emergency organization of this City shall be those prescribed by State law and by the ordinances and resolutions of this City.
SECTION 11. The City Council authorizes the City Manager, in the Manager’s capacity as the Director of Emergency Services, to take all actions related to the 12 protection of life and property that are reasonably necessary to respond to the local emergency caused by the Regional Fires.
SECTION 12. The local emergency shall be deemed to continue and exist until its termination is proclaimed by the City Council. As required by law, the City Council shall review the need to continue the state of emergency at least every 60 days until this resolution is terminated. Except as may be otherwise provided, the provisions of the Executive Order, Revised Executive Order, Second Revised Executive Order, First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Supplements to the Executive Order and any Supplement issued pursuant to the authority of the Director of Emergency Services pursuant to this resolution and the Municipal Code shall be in full force and effect as of their issuance and shall remain in full force and effect until the termination of the resolution by the City Council.
SECTION 13. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Resolution, the Executive Order, the Revised Executive Order, the Second Revised Executive Order, or the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Supplements to the Executive Order ratified herein is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Resolution, the Executive Order, the Revised Executive Order, the Second Revised Executive Order, or the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Supplements to the Executive Order. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this Resolution, the Executive Order, the Revised Executive Order, the Second Revised Executive Order, or the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Supplements to the Executive Order, and each and every section, subsection, sentence, 13 clause, or phrase not declared invalid or unconstitutional without regard to whether any portion of the ordinance would be subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 13. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, and thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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Douglas Sloan, City Attorney