City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: February 24, 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 Extension of Interim Zoning Ordinance Number 2844 Amending Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 9.21.130, Resource Recovery and Recycling Standards, to update applicability thresholds and standards for resource and recycling room dimensions in order to further economic recovery efforts by facilitating a Self-Certification Building Permit Pilot 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 2844 Amending Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 9.21.130, Resource Recovery and Recycling Standards, to update applicability thresholds and standards for resource and recycling room dimensions in order to further economic recovery efforts by facilitating a Self-Certification Building Permit Pilot Program.
Summary
Following Council’s January 13, 2026, adoption of an Interim Zoning Ordinance (IZO) to amend applicability thresholds and dimensional standards for resource and recovery rooms in order to further economic recovery efforts by facilitating a Self-Certification Building Permit Pilot Program, the IZO must be extended from its original 60 days for an additional 180 days to enable the process to permanently change the zoning ordinance.
Background
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On January 13, 2026, the City Council adopted Interim Zoning Ordinance (IZO) Number 2844, which amended Santa Monica Municipal Code (SMMC) Section 9.21.130, Resource Recovery and Recycling Standards, to update applicability thresholds and standards for resource and recycling room dimensions in order to further economic recovery efforts by facilitating a Self-Certification Building Permit Pilot Program.
IZO Number 2844 made limited amendments to SMMC Section 9.21.130 by simplifying the thresholds for when trash enclosure upgrades and review are required and by revising resource and recycling room dimension standards. The amended applicability thresholds for when trash enclosure upgrades require review, alleviate consistent challenges for new and existing businesses in the permitting process based on an outdated permit valuation threshold and includes the addition of a new applicability threshold for uses that produce high volumes of waste that could result in public health issues. The amended trash enclosure standards prioritize objective standards and public heath and safety as well as State environmental laws. While these limited amendments were initiated to implement the Self-Certification Pilot Program, the revisions apply to all projects.
IZO Number 2844 became effective 30 days after adoption and expires 60 days after its effective date. Staff recommends extending IZO Number 2844 for 180 days to allow the proposed amendments to move through the typical Zoning Amendment and codification process. Staff has already presented the proposed amendments to the Planning Commission at its January 21, 2026, meeting, and the proposed amendments are anticipated to return to City Council on February 24, 2026, for official adoption.
Past Council Actions:
Meeting Date Description
December 16, 2025 Approval of Establishment of a Self-Certification Pilot Program and Introduction and First Reading of Ordinances to (1) Amend Santa Monica Municipal Code Chapter 8.108 to revise the Construction and Demolition Material Recycling
Compliance Process and to transition from a deposit-based 3 of 4
system to a fine-based enforcement approach, and (2)
Establish Interim Zoning Regulations Updating Applicability Thresholds and Standards for Resource and Recycling Room Dimensions; and Adopt a Resolution of Intention to Amend the Text Section 9.21.130 of the Zoning Ordinance Related to Resource Recovery and Recycling Standards
January 13, 2026 Second Reading and Adoption of an Interim Zoning Ordinance Updating Applicability Thresholds and Standards for Resource and Recycling Room Dimensions Set Forth in Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 9.21.130 in Order to Further Economic Recovery Efforts by Facilitating a SelfCertification Building Permit 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 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 4 of 4
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
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action 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
Attachments:
A. 2026.02.24 - Self-Certification IZO_Extension