10B
Date: October 6, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Citizen Development and Enrichment Committee
By: Jamie Le, Assistant to the City Manager | [email protected] Subject: Citizen Development and Enrichment Committee – Discuss and Provide Direction on Appropriated Resource Contributions and Cottage Food Ordinance Related to the Neighborhood Coordinated Seaside Ranchos Holiday Lights Display, Determine California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Exemption, and Adopt an ORDINANCE Amending the Torrance Municipal Code Pertaining to Cottage Food.
Expenditure: None.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation of the Citizen Development and Enrichment Committee that City Council:
1. Discuss and provide direction on appropriated resource contributions and Cottage Food Ordinance related to the Neighborhood Coordinated Seaside Ranchos Holiday Lights Display; and
2. Determine the project is statutorily exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA State Guidelines, Section 15378 and, in the alternative, is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3); and
3. Adopt an ORDINANCE amending Torrance Municipal Code (TMC) Section 415.1.040(B) “Operating Standards” and Adding Section 415.1.050 “Violations – Penalties” of Division 4 “Public Health And Welfare”, Chapter 15 “Cottage Food” of the Torrance Municipal Code; and
4. Approve an ordinance summary for publication.
FUNDING
None required.
DISCUSSION
The Citizen Development and Enrichment Committee met on August 20, 2026, to discuss the Torrance Municipal Airport logo and the neighborhood coordinated Seaside Holiday Lights.
During the Seaside Light item, several items were brought up including:
• Vendors & Fundraising
• The Cottage Food Ordinance
• Event Management & Safety
• Economic and Regional Impacts
Following the presentation of the item and public comment, the Committee directed staff to return with an item for City Council to review the current resource contributions and potential updates to the Cottage Food Ordinance.
1 City Council
October 6, 2026
The proposed amendments would expand cottage food operations to include the collection of donations, in addition to direct sales, fundraising, food distribution, and related activities.
From December 1 through December 31, these activities could be conducted outside the primary residence, provided they remain within the property boundaries of the parcel where the residence is located.
During this period, multiple customers could be on the property at the same time, provided that:
• No on-site dining or loitering occurs;
• Customers do not obstruct public rights-of-way; and
• Access to neighboring properties is not impeded.
Cottage food operators would also be required to provide a customer trash receptacle and properly dispose of customer-generated waste.
At the end of each operating day, operators would be required to remove and properly dispose of all trash and refuse generated by the operation or its customers that is located on the property or within 15 feet of the parcel boundaries.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Based on the limited scope of the amendment and the operational standards and restrictions applicable to participating cottage food home occupations, adoption and implementation of the Ordinance would not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. It can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the Ordinance may have a significant effect on the environment. Therefore, staff has determined that the Ordinance does not constitute a “project” subject to CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 and, in the alternative, is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed Updated Cottage Food Ordinance
2. Ordinance Summary
3. Correspondence
4. Item 4A - August 8, 2026 Citizen Development and Enrichment Committee
5. Item 4A - August 8, 2026 Citizen Development and Enrichment Committee Presentation Slides
2 1
ORDINANCE NO. XXXX
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 415.1.040(B) “OPERATING
STANDARDS” AND ADDING SECTION 415.1.050 “VIOLATIONS -
PENALTIES” OF DIVISION 4 “PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE”,
CHAPTER 15 “COTTAGE FOOD” OF THE TORRANCE MUNICIPAL CODE
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the City of Torrance is a charter city under California law with a recognized mandate to preserve, protect, and enhance the general health and welfare of its residents.
WHEREAS, on September 21, 2012, Assembly Bill (AB) 1616, the California Homemade Food Act, commonly referred to as the Cottage Food Bill, was passed into law and became effective on January 1, 2013.
WHEREAS, AB 1616 permits individuals to manufacture, package, and sell certain nonpotentially hazardous foods in private-home kitchens and requires cities to enact and/or enforce applicable regulations.
WHEREAS, enforcement of existing municipal code ordinances that are inconsistent with the California Homemade Food Act (AB 1616) is prohibited.
WHEREAS, on October 22, 2019, the City Council of the City of Torrance adopt a Cottage Food Ordinance to protect the health, safety, and welfare of its residents, businesses, and visitors.
WHEREAS, on September 23, 2025, the City Council of the City of Torrance amended Section 415.1.040(B) “Operating Standards” and repealed Section 415.1.050 “Pilot Program” of Division 4 “Public Health And Welfare”, Chapter 15 “Cottage Food” of the Torrance Municipal Code.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Torrance has determined it necessary to amend its Cottage Food Ordinance to clarify operating standards within Torrance.
WHEREAS, based on the limited scope of the amendment and the operational standards and restrictions imposed upon participating cottage food home occupations, adoption and implementation of the Ordinance would not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. It can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the Ordinance may have a significant effect on the environment. Therefore, the Ordinance is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 and, in the alternative, is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Torrance does hereby ordain as follows:
SECTION 1
The City Council of the City of Torrance hereby finds and determines that all the above Recitals are true and correct and incorporates such Recitals into this Ordinance.
SECTION 2
3 ATTACHMENT 1
2 Section 415.1.040(b), entitled "Operating Standards”, of Chapter 15 of Division 4 of the Torrance Municipal Code is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
“b) Operating Standards.
1) Cottage food home operations existing prior to the ordinance codified in this chapter must obtain zoning clearance approval and a business license within thirty (30) days of the effective date of the ordinance.
2) Cottage food home occupation businesses shall not operate before securing all required permits and approvals from the State of California, County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health, and City of Torrance.
3) The cottage food home occupation use shall utilize only the kitchen and one (1) additional room inside the primary residence (including storage areas), which have been permitted and inspected by the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health. 4) A cottage food home occupation business is permitted to produce foods that are defined as "non-potentially hazardous" by the State of California Department of Public health. A current list of approved cottage food products is maintained on the California Department of Public Health’s website and may be updated from time to time. 5) The cottage food operator must be a primary resident of the home where the cottage food home occupation business operates. A maximum of one (1) full-time employee, exclusive of family/household members, may be employed by the cottage food home occupation business at the primary residence. Neither a property owner nor a tenant, in the case of a rental unit, may sublet or grant the use of any part of their property to anyone not living at the resident (whether for profit or nonprofit) for the purpose of a cottage food operation.
6) A cottage food home occupation business, as defined by Health and Safety Code Section 113758, is permitted to conduct operations including but not limited to direct sales, fundraising, collection of donations, food distribution, or any other related food operation from the home only between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. daily. An exception applies during the period from December 1 through December 31, during which the hours of operation may be extended to 8:00 p.m. daily.
7) Cottage food operations including but not limited to direct sales, fundraising, collection of donations, food distribution, or any other related food operation are allowed from the primary residence only and shall not be conducted from an attached/detached garage, accessory residential structure, or any place outside of the primary residential dwelling. An exception applies during the period from December 1 through December 31, when direct sales, fundraising, collection of donations, food distribution, and other related cottage food activities may be conducted outside the primary residence, provided that all activities take place within the property lines of the parcel where the primary residence is located. 8) On-site dining and customer loitering are prohibited. No more than one (1) customer may be allowed at the site at any given time. An exception applies during the period from December 1 through December 31, when more than one (1) customer may be permitted on the site at any given time, provided that there is no on-site dining or customer loitering, customers do not block any public right-of-way, including, but not limited to, streets, 4 3
sidewalks, parkways, alleys; and customers do not impede access to or otherwise interfere with adjacent properties.
9) At least one (1) off-street parking space, as dimensioned in Chapter 3 of Division 9, is required to accommodate customers and deliveries. This required parking space shall not impede vehicular traffic or circulation and shall not block a driveway or sidewalk. A residential driveway space of an appropriate size and/or a designated guest parking space within a multifamily development may satisfy this requirement.
10) Operation of the cottage food home occupation business shall not occupy any required parking for the residential dwelling, i.e., required garage parking. 11) Delivery and loading vehicles shall not illegally park or sit idling and shall not impede vehicular traffic or circulation at any time.
12) The cottage food home occupation business shall not generate obnoxious odors, fumes or emissions that are perceptible without instruments by a reasonable person at or beyond the property line of the site.
13) The cottage food home occupation business shall comply with the noise standards for residential zones as identified in Article 7 of Chapter 6 of this Division and any other noise standards found in Chapter 6 of this Division.”
14) The cottage food home occupation business must comply with all requirements listed in the California Health and Safety Code, including but not limited to the following requirements. • Preparing and packing foods from the Approved Foods List. • Completing a Cottage Food Operator Training within three months of registration/permitting.
• Implementing sanitary operations.
• Labels comply with local, state and federal requirements. • Operating within the established gross annual sales limits. • Registering or obtaining a permit from your local Public Health Department. 15) The cottage food home occupation business must comply with all requirements of the County of Los Angeles Public Health Department.
16) The cottage food home occupation business must comply with all requirements of the Torrance Municipal Code.”
17) The cottage food home occupation business shall provide a designated trash receptacle for customers on the approved premises and shall ensure the proper disposal of all customergenerated trash. At the conclusion of each day’s cottage food operations, the business shall collect, remove, and properly dispose of all trash and refuse generated by the cottage food operation or its customers that is located on the premises or within fifteen (15) feet of the parcel boundaries.
SECTION 3
Section 415.1.050, entitled "Violations - Penalties”, is added to Chapter 15 of Division 4 of the Torrance Municipal Code to read in its entirety as follows:
“Section 415.1.050 VIOLATIONS – PENALTIES.
5 4
Any person violating any of the provisions of this Chapter may be issued an administrative citation by an Enforcement Officer as prescribed in Section 12.8.050 of the Torrance Municipal Code.
Any Cottage Food Operator who receives three (3) citations within any calendar year shall have their business license revoked and shall be ineligible to obtain a business license for the following calendar year.
SECTION 4
Any provisions of the Municipal Code or its appendices, or any other ordinances of the City of Torrance inconsistent with this ordinance to the extent of the inconsistencies and no further, are repealed.
SECTION 5
If any Section, Subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this ordinance is for any reason deemed or held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision will not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance.
The City Council of the City of Torrance hereby declares that it would have adopted this ordinance and each Section, Subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more Sections, Subsections, sentences, clauses, phrases or other portions might subsequently be declared invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 6
This Ordinance was reviewed pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code §§ 21000, et seq., “CEQA”) and the regulations promulgated thereunder (14 Cal. Code of Regulations §§ 15000, et seq., the “CEQA Guidelines”). The Ordinance does not constitute a “project” subject to CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 because it consists of general text amendments that would not cause either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
In addition, the Ordinance is exempt from CEQA pursuant to the common-sense exemption set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the Ordinance may have a significant effect on the environment. The Ordinance would allow cottage food products associated with an approved cottage food home occupation to be sold from a residential property’s front yard during the month of December only.
The amendment would not establish or authorize a new land use or a change in the underlying residential use of the property. While the amendment could result in additional residents obtaining cottage food permits or participating in front-yard sales, any such activity would be limited to the month of December and would remain subject to the operational standards and restrictions established by the Ordinance and applicable regulations. The amendment would not authorize on-site dining or customer loitering and would limit customer activity in a manner that prevents obstruction of public rights-of-way and interference with access to adjacent properties.
The Ordinance would permit more than one (1) customer to be present on the premises at any given time, provided that there is no on-site dining or customer loitering. Customers would be prohibited from blocking or impeding any public right-of-way, including, but not limited to, streets, sidewalks, parkways, and alleys, and from impeding access to or otherwise interfering with adjacent properties.
The amendment would not establish a new commercial district, event venue, or destination use, and would not authorize a change in the underlying residential character or use of the property.
The sale of cottage food products would remain an accessory activity to an approved cottage food 6 5
home occupation and would be subject to the limitations and standards established by the Ordinance.
While the amendment could result in some additional customer activity at participating residences, any incremental vehicle or pedestrian trips associated with the sale of cottage food products would be limited to the month of December and would be incidental to the permitted residential home occupation. The amendment would not be expected to result in a significant increase in traffic or parking demand. In addition, the requirements prohibiting customers from blocking or impeding public rights-of-way or interfering with access to adjacent properties would further limit potential traffic and circulation impacts.
The Ordinance would not authorize or require construction, grading, expansion of structures, additional permanent lighting, or other physical improvements. Each cottage food home occupation business operating under these provisions would also be required to provide a designated trash receptacle for customers on the approved premises and ensure the proper disposal of all customer-generated trash.
Although the amendment may result in additional residents obtaining cottage food permits, any resulting increase in participation would be limited in duration and scope and would remain subject to the same operational standards and restrictions. The amendment is not expected to result in significant additional traffic, parking, noise, lighting, waste, or other physical impacts because the permitted activity is limited to the sale of cottage food products, does not authorize on-site dining or customer loitering, does not involve physical development, and includes requirements governing customer access, public rights-of-way, adjacent properties, and waste disposal.
Accordingly, based on the limited scope of the amendment and the operational standards and restrictions imposed upon participating cottage food home occupations, adoption and implementation of the Ordinance would not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. It can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the Ordinance may have a significant effect on the environment. Therefore, the Ordinance is not subject to CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 and, in the alternative, is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
SECTION 7
This ordinance will take effect thirty days after the date of its adoption. Within fifteen days following adoption, this ordinance or a summary of this ordinance, if authorized by the City Council, will be published at least once in the Daily Breeze, a newspaper of general circulation, published and circulated in the City of Torrance.
INTRODUCED and APPROVED this _______ day _______ 2026.
ADOPTED and PASSED this _________ day of _______ 2026.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
__________________________________
Mayor Sharon Kalani
PATRICK Q. SULLIVAN, City Attorney ATTEST:
__________________________________
7 6
By: _______________________________
Patrick Q. Sullivan, City Attorney
Rebecca Poirier, City Clerk
8 ORDINANCE SUMMARY
On October 6, 2026, the City Council of the City of Torrance introduced by title only, at first reading, Ordinance No. XXXX “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Torrance, California, Amending Section 415.1.040(B) “Operating Standards” and Adding Section 415.1.050 “Violations – Penalties” of Division 4 “Public Health And Welfare”, Chapter 15 “Cottage Food” of the Torrance Municipal Code” On October 20, 2026, the City Council of the City of Torrance adopted Ordinance No. XXXX. Ordinance No. XXXX will take effect 30 days after the adoption date of ________________. The following is a summary of Ordinance No. XXXX.
Addition to the Torrance Municipal Code:
Ordinance No. XXXX would expand the definition of “cottage food operation” to include the collection of donations, in addition to the existing activities of direct sales, fundraising, food distribution, and other related food operations.
Additionally, Ordinance No. XXXX would allow direct sales, fundraising, the collection of donations, food distribution, and other related cottage food activities to be conducted outside the primary residence only during the period of December 1 through December 31, provided that all such activities take place within the property lines of the parcel on which the primary residence is located.
Further, Ordinance No. XXXX would allow more than one (1) customer to be on the site at any given time during the period of December 1 through December 31, provided that there is no onsite dining or customer loitering; customers do not block or obstruct any public right-of-way, including, but not limited to, streets, sidewalks, parkways, or alleys; and customers do not impede access to or otherwise interfere with adjacent properties.
Also, Ordinance No. XXXX would require the cottage food operator to provide a trash receptacle for customers on the approved premises and ensure the proper disposal of all customergenerated trash. The ordinance would also require the cottage food operator to collect, remove, and properly dispose of all trash and refuse generated by the cottage food operation or its customers that is located on the premises or within fifteen (15) feet of the parcel boundaries at the conclusion of each day’s operations.
Lastly, Ordinance No. XXXX would add a violations and penalties section to the Cottage Food Ordinance.
Passed, Approved, and Adopted the _____ day of _______________ 2026, by the following vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
The full text of Ordinance No. XXXX is available for inspection during regular business hours at the City Clerk’s Office (3031 Torrance Boulevard, Torrance, California 90503) Monday through Friday with alternating closed Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. or at https://www.torranceca.gov/government/city-clerk.
DATED THIS ____ DAY OF ______________, 2026
Rebecca Poirier, City Clerk
City of Torrance
3031 Torrance Boulevard
Torrance, California 90503
9 ATTACHMENT 2
____________________________________________________________________________________ Craig S. Robson
[email protected]
September 10, 2026
VIA EMAIL
Patrick Q. Sullivan
Office of City Attorney
City of Torrance
3031 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90503
Email: [email protected]
Re: Request for Meeting — Unpermitted Food Resale and Proposed Amendments to the Cottage Food Ordinance
Dear Mr. Sullivan:
This office represents several members of the Seaside Ranchos neighborhood. We understand that the City of Torrance is again considering amendments to its Cottage Food Ordinance 3852 (the “Ordinance”) that would move Cottage Food sales from inside the residence to front yards and driveways during evening event hours and eliminate the existing limitation of one customer at a time. We request a meeting with you and the appropriate City representatives before any proposed amendment is presented for adoption.
It is important to note that the neighborhood’s holiday-light tradition was created and maintained by its residents; it was not designed as a commercial event or an open-air food market.
Expanding commercial activity would materially change the character, intensity, and risks of the event while imposing additional burdens on the residents and liability to the City.
The Ordinance requires all foods to be labelled and packaged, and it does not allow prepackage goods. Moving this commercial activity outdoors and allowing multiple customers to gather changes its interaction with the surrounding neighborhood by placing sellers, customers, lines, food consumption and resulting waste adjacent to sidewalks, streets, parked vehicles and neighboring homes—all areas already significantly impacted during the holiday lights event.
In light of the proposed changes, several concerns warrant careful consideration:
1. Emergency Access and Public Safety. The neighborhood already experiences substantial vehicle and pedestrian congestion. Additional sales would encourage visitors to stop, congregate, form lines, and remain in the streets and around individual residences. These conditions will obstruct access for police, fire, ambulance, and residents’ vehicles. It will also increase double parking, unsafe pedestrian crossings, blocked driveways, and conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles.
10 ATTACHMENT 3
____________________________________________________________________________________ Craig S. Robson
[email protected]
2. Sanitation, food safety, and waste. Food and beverage vending generate discarded containers, grease, food waste, and liquids. Increased consumption within the neighborhood will produce additional litter, pests, and create demands for trash collection and restroom facilities. The previous efforts to provide trash containers have been woefully deficient, leaving trash to collect in the streets and enter the City’s drainage system.
3. Municipal costs. We understand that Torrance presently incurs more than $200,000 annually in police, traffic-control, sanitation, and other expenses associated with the holiday-light activity, even though the City is not the event’s organizer. Expanded vending would require additional enforcement, emergency, sanitation, traffic, and administrative resources. This means the costs to the City would dramatically increase.
4. Increase Exposure to City. If the City affirmatively expands commercial activities despite known congestion and emergency-access problems, it will (not may) increase the claims against the City arising from accidents, injuries, and other crowd control issues.
Specifically, claims for a dangerous condition under Government Code Section 835.
5. CEQA Review. The exemption from CEQA will necessarily have to be reconsidered in light of the amendment’s reasonably foreseeable effects. The proposal will increase evening commercial activity, pedestrian concentration, traffic, noise, waste generation, sanitation demands, and public-service requirements throughout an already congested residential area which will, in our opinion, invalidate the current exemption.
6. Documented Noncompliance and Enforcement. There is a documented history of noncompliance with the Ordinance. In 2025, the City issued 52 Cottage Food citations at only seven properties, including 30 repeat violations. Expanding outdoor sales and customer congregation will not remedy existing noncompliance; it will likely attract more vendors and require greater enforcement resources.
In light of the above concerns and others, there is no doubt that it is not in the City’s and the Community’s best interests to allow further amendments to the Ordinance. We would like to set up a meeting to discuss these issues further. Please provide several dates and times when you and other appropriate members or departments of the City are available to meet.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to meeting with you.
Sincerely,
Craig S. Robson
11 Date: August 20, 2026
To: Honorable Chair and Members of the Citizen Development and Enrichment Committee From: Aram Chaparyan, City Manager
By: Jamie Le, Assistant to the City Manager | [email protected] Subject: City Manager – Review and Provide Direction on Appropriated Resource Contributions and Cottage Food Ordinance Related to the Neighborhood Coordinated Seaside Ranchos Holiday Lights Display. Expenditure: None.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation of the City Manager that the Citizen Development and Enrichment Committee:
1. Review and Provide Direction on the Appropriated Resource Contributions to the Neighborhood Coordinated Seaside Ranchos Holiday Lights Display; and
2. Provide Direction to the Cottage Food Ordinance as it relates to the Neighborhood Coordinated Seaside Holiday Lights Display.
DISCUSSION
The Seaside Ranchos Holiday Lights Display is a long-standing, resident-organized holiday tradition that attracts significant pedestrian and vehicle traffic to the Seaside Ranchos neighborhood each December. The display is not a City-sponsored or City-sanctioned event; however, the volume of visitors requires the City to deploy resources to address traffic management, public safety, sanitation, parking, code enforcement, and other impacts to the surrounding neighborhood.
Cottage Food Ordinance
On March 26, 2025, the Citizen Development and Enrichment Committee reviewed the City's resource contributions and Cottage Food Ordinance as they related to the holiday lights. During the 2024 Holiday Season, Residents discovered a loophole in Torrance’s Cottage Food Ordinance. Rules restricted the hours when residents could sell food directly, but did not clearly apply those same restrictions when food was technically given away in exchange for a “donation.” Public comments reflected differing perspectives regarding the City's involvement. Residents discussed the regional popularity and positive economic and community impacts of the display, concerns regarding roaming and unregulated vendors, the City's resource commitment, and opportunities for residents to assume a greater role in coordinating and financially supporting activities associated with the display. One neighborhood representative reported approximately 80,000 visits to the neighborhood's website during the prior holiday season.
At the conclusion of the discussion, the Committee unanimously recommended closing the Cottage Food Ordinance loophole by applying operating-hour restrictions to food provided in exchange for "donations." The Committee also directed staff to continue working with interested community members regarding potential funding mechanism to offset City costs. 4A
12 ATTACHMENT 4
Citizen Development and Enrichment Council Committee
August 20, 2026
Following the Committee's direction and subsequent City Council action, the City's Cottage Food regulations were amended. Ordinance No. 3952 expanded the definition of cottage food activity, addressed food distribution and fundraising, prohibited residents from allowing non-residents to use their property for cottage food operations, and extended permitted December operating hours to 8:00 p.m.
Code Enforcement and Cottage Food Citations
The 2025 holiday season provided the City with an opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of these changes and the level of enforcement required. City records reflect 52 cottage food administrative citations totaling $13,300, involving seven residential locations. In addition, warnings were issued to property owners who subsequently complied, and Code Enforcement documented 13 sidewalk vendors, including one repeat vendor. 2025 Code Enforcement Activity Total
Residential locations receiving citations 7
Administrative citations issued 52
First violations – $100 22
Second violations – $200 13
Third/subsequent violations – $500 17
Total value of citations issued $13,300
Sidewalk vendors documented 13
Repeat sidewalk vendors 1
The citation data demonstrates that enforcement was concentrated among a relatively small number of locations, with repeat violations accounting for a significant portion of enforcement activity. Of the 52 citations, 30 were second or subsequent violations, including 17 citations at the $500 level.
The City's enforcement records also identify property owners who received warnings and complied without requiring citations. This distinction is important because the City's operational approach includes education and voluntary compliance in addition to formal enforcement.
City Resources
For the 2025 holiday season, Non-labor resources totaled approximately $13,400. An anticipated cost of $176,906 in labor resources was estimated to manage impacts incurred by the resident led event; however, due to staff availability, not all scheduled shifts were able to be filled.
Non-Labor and Operational Resources included:
• Approximately 20 trash bins with coordinated collection; • Two illuminated message boards for traffic and parking information; • Informational door hangers for Seaside Ranchos residents; • Contract Code Enforcement support; and
• A dedicated City webpage providing information regarding City contacts, parking violations, County public health requirements, sanitation, traffic and signage, and Code Enforcement.
13 Citizen Development and Enrichment Council Committee August 20, 2026
Staff anticipates continued deployment of:
Function Staff Deployed Deployment
Traffic control equipment –
setup
1 Traffic Painter + 1 Maintenance
Worker 3 days × 8 hrs
Daily signage/message
board monitoring 1 Maintenance Worker 16 days × 1 hr
Linda Dr./PV Blvd. traffic
closure
1 Traffic Painter + 1 Maintenance
Worker 10 days × 6 hrs
Traffic control equipment –
breakdown
1 Traffic Painter + 1 Maintenance
Worker 2 days × 8 hrs
Police traffic control 2 Motor Officers + 1 Service Officer or Police Officer 22 days × 7 hrs
Police bicycle patrol 1 Police Sergeant + 3 Police Officers 22 days × 7 hrs Code Enforcement Senior Code Enforcement Officer +
Code Enforcement Officers Various days × 4 hrs
Traffic Control Plan
preparation
Engineering Technician, Assistant
Engineer, Associate Engineer,
Engineering Manager, City Engineer
Various hours
The largest ongoing deployment is Police. On a typical fully staffed night, the deployment plan calls for 7 Police personnel: 2 Motor Officers, 1 Service Officer/Police Officer, 1 Sergeant, and 3 bicycle officers.
Public Works handles the physical traffic-control infrastructure—message boards, "No Stopping" signs, directional signage, traffic-control devices, and the Linda/PV Boulevard closure.
Code Enforcement provides evening enforcement coverage, while Engineering performs the advance traffic-control planning.
The 2025 experience indicates that traffic management, public safety, and enforcement continue to require a substantial City presence during the holiday season. Staff will continue to communicate with the Seaside Neighborhood Association and coordinate across departments in preparation for the 2026 holiday season while maintaining the City's longstanding position that the Seaside Ranchos Holiday Lights Display remains a resident-organized event and not a Citysponsored or City-sanctioned event.
Staff requests that the Citizen Development and Enrichment Committee review the information presented regarding the 2025 Seaside Ranchos Holiday Lights season and
1. Provide direction on the appropriated resource contributions including:
a. City Resource Deployment – Continuing the City's anticipated public safety, traffic control, Code Enforcement, Public Works, Engineering, sanitation, and communication resources at generally the same service levels utilized during the 2025 holiday season; and
b. Neighborhood Coordination - Direction on the City's continued coordination with Seaside Ranchos residents regarding traffic, sanitation, parking, food operations, visitor communications, and other neighborhood impacts; and 14 2. Provide Direction on the Cottage Food Ordinance – Direction on continuing enforcement of the updated Cottage Food Ordinance, including the operating-hour requirements and enforcement of repeat violations.
Staff will incorporate the Committee's direction into operational planning for the 2026 holiday season and return to the City Council if additional authorization or resources are necessary.
ATTACHMENT
1. Cottage Food Operations FAQ
Citizen Development and Enrichment Council Committee
August 20, 2026
15 1 | P a g e
Cottage Food Operations – Frequently Asked Questions
The City’s cottage food regulations allow residents to operate small food businesses from their homes while maintaining the residential character of neighborhoods and minimizing impacts on surrounding properties. The regulations implement California’s Homemade Food Act (AB 1616) and establish local standards for where, when, and how cottage food businesses may operate.
1. What is a cottage food operation?
A cottage food operation is a small food business operated from a private residence.
California law allows certain approved foods to be prepared in a home kitchen and sold to the public, subject to State, County, and local requirements.
The City treats cottage food operations as limited home occupations rather than commercial storefronts.
2. Why does the City regulate cottage food operations?
The regulations are intended to:
• Allow residents to operate small cottage food businesses from their homes. • Implement California’s Homemade Food Act.
• Protect the residential character of neighborhoods.
• Minimize parking, traffic, noise, odor, and other impacts on neighboring properties. • Prevent residential properties from functioning as commercial storefronts. • Establish clear operating standards and a predictable approval process.
3. What approvals are required?
Applicants must obtain both:
• A Cottage Food Home Occupation Business License; and
• A Zoning Clearance from the City.
Applicants must submit a site/floor plan showing that the business is limited to the kitchen and one additional room, including storage, and that adequate parking is available for the permitted employee.
Before a City business license can be issued, the applicant must also provide proof of the appropriate Los Angeles County Public Health approval:
• Class A Registration, or
• Class B Permit.
4. Who can operate a cottage food business from a residence? ATTACHMENT 1
16 2 | P a g e
The cottage food operator must be a primary resident of the home where the business operates.
If the operator is a tenant, written authorization from the property owner or apartment manager is required. HOA authorization is also required when applicable.
The business may have one full-time equivalent employee, excluding household or family members.
5. Can someone who does not live at the property use the home to operate or sell cottage food?
Under the City's current regulations, no.
The property cannot be sublet or otherwise made available to someone who does not reside there for the purpose of operating a cottage food business.
This requirement also helps ensure compliance with State cottage food requirements. State requirements generally provide that food sold as part of the cottage food operation must be prepared at the approved residence.
City staff has found that when properties allow outside individuals or groups to sell from a residence, there have been instances involving products that are not included on the State's approved cottage food list or products that do not comply with prepackaging and labeling requirements.
Allowing individuals who do not reside at the property to conduct cottage food sales from the property is one of the changes residents have requested that the City Council consider.
6. Where on the property can cottage food activities take place? Operations must occur inside the primary residence.
The business is limited to:
• The kitchen; and
• One additional room, including any space used for storage.
Garages, attached or detached accessory structures, yards, and other outdoor areas cannot be used for the cottage food operation.
7. Can cottage food sales take place in the front yard? Under the City's current regulations, no. Cottage food operations are required to occur within the primary residence, and outdoor areas cannot be used for cottage food operations.
Allowing sales from front yards is one of the changes residents have requested that the City Council consider.
8. What are the permitted hours of operation?
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The City's current operating hours for sales, distribution, fundraising, and related cottage food activities are:
January 1 – November 30:
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
December 1 – December 31:
9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
A cottage food business cannot begin operating until all required State, County, and City approvals have been secured.
9. Why does the City limit evening operating hours?
The hours are intended to balance opportunities for cottage food businesses with potential impacts on residential neighborhoods.
Code Enforcement Officers work until 9:00 p.m. Requiring cottage food sales to end by 8:00 p.m. during the December extended-hours period provides an opportunity for Code Enforcement to monitor and address potential issues before the end of the enforcement workday.
The limitation also helps prevent sales activities from continuing late into the evening and creating potential noise, traffic, parking, or other impacts for adjacent residents.
Allowing longer operating hours is one of the changes residents have requested that the City Council consider.
10. How many customers can be at the property at one time? The City's current regulations allow one customer at the property at a time.
Additionally:
• On-site dining is prohibited.
• Customer loitering is prohibited.
• At least one off-street parking space must be available for customers and deliveries.
Allowing multiple customers at the property at the same time is one of the changes residents have requested that the City Council consider.
11. What are the parking requirements?
At least one off-street parking space must be available for customers and deliveries.
Required residential parking, including required garage parking, cannot be converted to or taken over by the business.
Delivery vehicles may not:
• Park illegally;
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• Unnecessarily idle; or
• Interfere with traffic or neighborhood circulation.
12. Can customers eat food at the residence?
No. On-site dining is prohibited.
Cottage food operations are intended to function as limited home-based businesses and not as restaurants, cafés, or other food establishments where customers remain on the property to consume food.
13. What types of food can be sold?
Operators may only produce and sell foods authorized under California's cottage food requirements and must comply with applicable Los Angeles County Public Health requirements.
Operators are responsible for:
• Producing only foods on the approved cottage food list. • Completing required cottage food operator training within three months of registration or permitting.
• Maintaining sanitary operations.
• Properly packaging and labeling cottage food products. • Remaining within applicable gross annual sales limits. • Maintaining the required County Public Health registration or permit.
14. What standards protect neighboring properties?
A cottage food operation must remain unobtrusive and compatible with the surrounding residential neighborhood.
Operations may not create:
• Unreasonable odors, fumes, or emissions detectable by a reasonable person beyond the property line.
• Noise exceeding applicable residential standards.
• Parking or traffic conditions that interfere with neighborhood circulation. • Other impacts inconsistent with the residential use of the property.
15. What happens if a cottage food operation does not follow the rules? The City may:
• Deny an application when requirements are not met.
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• Require revisions before approving an application.
• Take enforcement action when an operation violates applicable requirements. • Revoke an existing approval if the business no longer complies with City or County requirements.
Zoning clearances are nontransferable.
16. What changes are residents asking the City Council to consider? Residents have identified several provisions they would like the City Council to reconsider, including:
1. Allowing cottage food sales from front yards.
2. Allowing more than one customer on the property at a time.
3. Extending the permitted hours for cottage food sales.
4. Allowing individuals who do not reside at the property to conduct cottage food sales from the property.
These requests would modify the City's existing standards.
17. Which proposed changes raise particular enforcement or compliance concerns? Two areas present additional operational and compliance considerations:
1. Extended Hours of Operation: Extending sales later into the evening could reduce the City's ability to monitor activity during Code Enforcement operating hours and could increase the potential for noise, parking, traffic, and other neighborhood impacts.
2. Sales by Non-Residents: Allowing individuals who do not live at the property to conduct sales could make it more difficult to ensure that products were prepared at the approved residence and comply with State requirements regarding eligible foods, packaging, and labeling.
Maintaining these provisions provides safeguards intended to keep cottage food operations consistent with State requirements while minimizing impacts on residential neighborhoods.
20 ITEM 4A
City Manager – Review and Provide Direction on Appropriated Resource Contributions and Cottage Food Ordinance Related to the Neighborhood Coordinated Seaside Ranchos Holiday Lights Display.
Expenditure: None.
C I T I Z E N D E V E L O P M E N T A N D E N R I C H M E N T C O M M I T T E E 1 21 ATTACHMENT 5
BACKGROUND
2 C I T Y O F T O R R A N C E
C I T I Z E N D E V E L O P M E N T A N D E N R I C H M E N T C O M M I T T E E LINDA DR. & CAROL DRIVE
▪ Seaside Ranchos Neighborhood
▪ 16 tracts
▪ Approximately 5,000 Residents
22 SLEEPY HOLLOW
3 C I T I Z E N D E V E L O P M E N T A N D E N R I C H M E N T C O M M I T T E E Coordinated by neighborhood
Not a City-Sanctioned Event
C I T Y O F T O R R A N C E
23 4
Non- Labor Resources
Non-Labor Resource Approximate
Cost
20 trash bins and service $2,400
Two illuminated light boards to assist with traffic $5,000 Webpage for Seaside Ranchos residents and
visitors regarding parking violations, code
enforcement, sanitation etc.
Seaside Resident Informational Door Hangers $300
1 Contract Code Enforcement Officer $5,700
Total $13,400
C I T Y O F T O R R A N C E
24 5
Labor Resources- Approximately $176,906
C I T Y O F T O R R A N C E
Function Staff Deployed Deployment
Traffic control equipment –
setup 1 Traffic Painter + 1 Maintenance Worker 3 days × 8 hrs Daily signage/message board
monitoring 1 Maintenance Worker 16 days × 1 hr
Linda Dr./PV Blvd. traffic closure 1 Traffic Painter + 1 Maintenance Worker 10 days × 6 hrs Traffic control equipment –
breakdown 1 Traffic Painter + 1 Maintenance Worker 2 days × 8 hrs Code Enforcement Senior Code Enforcement Officer + Code Enforcement Officers Various days × 4 hrs
Traffic Control Plan preparation Engineering Technician, Assistant Engineer, Associate Engineer, Engineering Manager, City Engineer Various hours Police traffic control 2 Motor Officers + 1 Service Officer or Police Officer 22 days × 7 hrs Police bicycle patrol 1 Police Sergeant + 3 Police Officers 22 days × 7 hrs 25 6
26 7
27 8
28 9
29 10
30 11
31 12
32 13
33 14
34 15
35 16
36 17
37 18
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C I T Y O F T O R R A N C E
42 • Pilot Program
established 2019
• Designated for Seaside
Residents
• Sell approved foods
from driveway
•Must follow Cottage
Food Requirements
• Expired January 2022
23 Cottage Food History
C I T Y O F T O R R A N C E
43 •Informational Door Hangers regarding:
• Cottage Food Permits
• Vending
•FAQs
• Parking Restrictions
• Trash Pick Up
Education to Residents Since 2023
24 C I T Y O F T O R R A N C E
44 25
Holiday Cottage Food Ordinance Requests from Residents
C I T Y O F T O R R A N C E
2025 Code Enforcement Activity Total
Residential locations receiving citations 7
Administrative citations issued 52
First violations – $100 22
Second violations – $200 13
Third/subsequent violations – $500 17
Total value of citations issued $13,300
Sidewalk vendors documented 13
Repeat sidewalk vendors 1
45 26
Holiday Cottage Food Ordinance Requests from Residents
1. Allowing cottage food sales from front
yards.
2. Allowing more than one customer on the
property at a time.
3. Extending the permitted hours for
cottage food sales.
4. Allowing individuals who do not reside
at the property to conduct cottage food
sales from the property.
C I T Y O F T O R R A N C E
46 Extended Hours of Operation:
• Reduce the City's ability to monitor activity
• Could increase the potential for noise, parking, traffic, and other neighborhood impacts.
Sales by Non-Residents:
• More difficult to ensure that products comply with State requirements 27 Operational and Compliance Considerations
C I T Y O F T O R R A N C E
47 28
Committee Considerations
C I T Y O F T O R R A N C E
CITY RESOURCE DEPLOYMENT
• Anticipated Code Enforcement, Public Works, and Communications resources • Maintain of change current public safety and traffic control deployment • Coordination with residents on traffic, sanitation, parking, food operations, visitor communications, and other neighborhood impacts
COTTAGE FOOD ORDINANCE
• Enforcement of the current requirements
• Enforcement of repeat violations
• Requested Changes from Residents
48