City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: February 10, 2026
Agenda Item: 12.A
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Jing Yeo, Director, Administration
Subject: Introduction and First Reading of an Interim Zoning Ordinance to Extend Interim Zoning Regulations Related to Outdoor Dining and Seating on Sidewalks, to Promote Economic Recovery by Simplifying the City’s Outdoor Dining Program
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant environmental effects pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) and findings of categorical exemptions pursuant to Sections 15301 and 15305 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; and
2. Introduce for First Reading an Interim Zoning Ordinance (IZO) Extending IZO Number 2837 Amending Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 9.31.200, Outdoor Dining and Seating on Sidewalks, to Promote Economic Recovery by Simplifying the City’s Outdoor Dining Program.
Summary
Following Council’s November 18, 2025 adoption of an Interim Zoning Ordinance to promote economic recovery by simplifying the City’s outdoor dining program, the Interim Zoning Ordinance must be adopted again to extend the ordinance from its original 60 days for an additional 180 days to enable the process to permanently change the zoning ordinance.
Background
On November 18, 2025, the City Council adopted Interim Zoning Ordinance (IZO) Number 2837, which amended Santa Monica Municipal Code (SMMC) Section
9.31.200, Outdoor Dining and Seating on Sidewalks, to promote economic recovery by 2 of 4
simplifying the City’s outdoor dining program.
IZO Number 2837 made limited amendments to SMMC Section 9.31.200 by deleting redundant design standards and consolidating them within the Sidewalk Dining Guidelines. This streamlining improves clarity and allows design standards to be updated administratively while maintaining safety, accessibility, and consistency in the public right-of-way.
IZO Number 2837 became effective 30 days after adoption and expires 60 days after its effective date. Staff recommends extending IZO Number 2837 for 180 days to allow the proposed amendments to move through the typical Zoning Amendment and codification process. Staff presented the proposed amendments to the Planning Commission at its January 21, 2026, regular meeting, and the proposed amendments are anticipated to return to City Council on February 24, 2026.
Past Council Actions:
Meeting Date Description
October 28, 2025 Introduce for First Reading an Interim Zoning Ordinance Amending Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 9.31.200,
Outdoor Dining and Seating on Sidewalks, to Promote
Economic Recovery by Simplifying the City’s Outdoor Dining Program (Part of Santa Monica Realignment Plan)
November 18, 2025 Second Reading and Adoption of an Interim Zoning Ordinance Amending Santa Monica Municipal Code Section
9.31.200, Outdoor Dining and Seating On Sidewalks, to
Promote Economic Recovery by Simplifying the City’s
Outdoor Dining Program
Environmental Review
The proposed IZO extension is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15061(b)(3), 15301, and 15305 of the CEQA Guidelines. Section 15061(b)(3) states that CEQA does not apply “where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.” The IZO extension is administrative in nature. Therefore, it can be seen with certainty that the proposed modification would not 3 of 4
result in adverse physical impacts on the environment, and as such, is exempt from CEQA. Additionally, the IZO extension is exempt pursuant to Section 15301 of CEQA Guidelines (Class 1 Existing Facilities), which provides an exemption for the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency's determination. Projects that fall into this class of exemption include alterations to existing streets, sidewalks, gutter, bicycle facilities, and other similar facilities and additions of safety or health protection during for use in conjunction with existing facilities. The IZO extension is also exempt pursuant to Section 15305 of the CEQA Guidelines (Class 5 Minor Alterations in Land Use Limitations), which exempts minor alterations in land use limitations in areas with an average slope of less than 20%, which do not result in any changes in land use or density. The proposed amendments would allow for flexibility for sidewalk dining by deleting redundant design standards and consolidating them within the Sidewalk Dining Guidelines. No expansion of the existing land uses is proposed. Therefore, the proposed amendments qualify under the Class 1 and Class 5 exemptions.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
No immediate financial impacts or budget actions are necessary as a result of the recommended action. Staff will return to Council if specific budget actions are required in the future.
Prepared By: Ross Fehrman, Acting Planning Manager
Approved Forwarded to Council
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Attachments:
A. 2026.02.10 - Sidewalk Dining IZO Extension