City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: May 26, 2026
Agenda Item: 4.I
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Jing Yeo, Director, Administration
Subject: Approval of Memorandum of Understanding Between City of Santa Monica and California Coastal Commission on a Framework to Complete the City's Local Coastal Program Update
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding that the recommended actions herein do not constitute a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
2. Staff recommends that the City Council receive and provide direction related to the City Manager executing a Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the Coastal Commission on a framework to complete the City’s Local Coastal Program.
Summary
At its meeting on May 12, 2026, the City Council received an overview and update on the Local Coastal Program (LCP) process and provided direction to staff on City priorities and issues, including the Realignment Plan, to be included in staff’s discussions with Coastal Commission staff on a framework to certify the City’s Local Coastal Program, (inclusive of an update to the City’s Certified 1992 Land Use Plan).
Discussions with Coastal Commission staff have been productive with shared understanding on a path towards certification of the City’s Local Coastal Program.
This understanding is memorialized in the attached Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The draft MOU establishes a collaborative framework between the City and Commission staff to facilitate timely completion and certification of a comprehensive LCP, including both a Land Use Plan (LUP) and Implementation Plan (IP). 2 of 3
Discussion
The proposed MOU is intended to improve coordination, establish clear communication protocols, and identify opportunities to streamline coastal permitting processes while maintaining protections for coastal resources and public access consistent with the California Coastal Act. The agreement reflects a shared commitment to use the City’s 2018 draft LUP as the foundation for the updated program, while incorporating new policy considerations such as environmental justice, sea level rise resiliency, multimodal transportation improvements, housing, adaptive reuse, and public safety management within the coastal zone.
The MOU also identifies several areas where the City and Commission will explore administrative and programmatic permitting tools to improve efficiency for projects such as temporary events, commercial tenant improvements / adaptive reuse, outdoor dining, residential development, and transportation improvements. The agreement includes a commitment to commence this renewed process in July 2026 with a goal for completion and certification of the LCP by the end of 2027, while acknowledging the complexity of the effort and the need for continued collaboration throughout the process.
The proposed MOU is non-binding and does not diminish or alter the decision making authority or discretion of either the City or the Coastal Commission under existing law.
Rather, it formalizes a cooperative working relationship intended to support a more predictable and efficient path toward certification of the City’s first comprehensive certified LCP.
Environmental Review
The proposed MOU is not a “project” subject to CEQA. Pursuant to CEQA Section 21065, the changes do not meet the definition of a “project” subject to CEQA as it will not “cause either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment”. Additionally, per Section 15378(b) of the CEQA Guidelines, a “project” does not include administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the 3 of 3
environment. The MOU is administrative in nature, and no action is being undertaken and therefore, is not subject to CEQA and it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of these recommendations. Staff will return to Council if specific budget actions are required in the future.
Prepared By: Jing Yeo, Director
Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. FINAL MOU 5-22-26
B. Written Comments
C. PowerPoint Presentation