Hermosa Beach City Zoning Code

This Chapter establishes Precise Development Plan procedures to ensure that new development supports the goals and objectives of the General Plan and other adopted plans and guidelines. The specific purposes of the Precise Development Plan process are to:

1. A.
   Promote excellence in design, layout, and other physical features of development to achieve a reasonable level of quality, compatibility, in harmony with the community’s social, economic and environmental objectives;
2. B.
   Ensure that new and altered development will be compatible with the existing and potential development of the surrounding area; and
3. C.
   Supplement other City regulations and standards in order to ensure control of physical features of development that are not otherwise addressed.

(Ord. # 26-1500 §5 (Exh. K), adopted 06/23/2026, effective 07/23/2026) 

Effective on: 7/23/2026

A Major or Minor Precise Development Plan, as specified in Section 17.74.025, is required for all projects that require a permit for new construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, alteration, or other improvements to a structure, site, or a parking area except for:

1. A.
   New construction or additions of less than 1,500 square foot addition any zone.
2. B.
   Interior remodel of 3,000 square feet or less, with no exterior changes, in any zone.
3. C.
   Single Family (one unit) residential projects and any related accessory structures.
4. D.
   New residential projects with two (2) or more dwelling units including a minimum of 20% lower-income units.
5. E.
   Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units.
6. F.
   Dwelling Units provided pursuant to California Government Code Section 6585.21, commonly referred to as SB 9 units or urban dwelling units.

(Ord. # 26-1500 §5 (Exh. K), adopted 06/23/2026, effective 07/23/2026) 

Effective on: 7/23/2026

1. A.
   Minor Precise Development Plan. A Minor Precise Development Plan shall be required for the following:

   1. 1.
      Residential only projects with only 2-4 dwelling units.
   2. 2.
      Mixed use projects that do not exceed four dwelling units or 3,000 square feet of non-residential floor area.
   3. 3.
      Interior remodel greater than 3,000 square feet, with no exterior changes, in any zone.
2. B.
   Major Precise Development Plan. A Major Precise Development Plan shall be required for the following:

   1. 1.
      Residential only projects with 5 or more dwelling units.
   2. 2.
      Mixed use development with five or more dwelling units or include a nonresidential floor area of 3,001 square feet or greater, regardless of the number of units.
   3. 3.
      Any nonresidential project that is not exempt or qualifies for a Minor Precise Development Plan.

(Ord. # 26-1500 §5 (Exh. K), adopted 06/23/2026, effective 07/23/2026) 

Effective on: 7/23/2026

The Director shall act as the review authority of Minor Precise Development Plans and the Planning Commission shall act as the review authority for Major Precise Development Plans.

(Ord. # 26-1500 §5 (Exh. K), adopted 06/23/2026, effective 07/23/2026)

Effective on: 7/23/2026

1. A.
   Application. Applications for Precise Development Plan shall be filed with the Community Development Department on application forms prescribed by the Director.
2. B.
   Public Notice. An application for a Precise Develop Plan shall require a public notice prior to the review authority’s decision, pursuant to Section 17.03.050 (Public Notice).
3. C.
   Reapplication Upon Denial. After the denial of a Parking Plan has become final, no further application for the same Parking Plan shall be filed for the same property for the ensuing 12 months, unless the project is revised to resolve the review authority’s previous objections to the project. Said revision shall require a new application process and payment of fee.
4. D.
   Public Hearing. No public hearing shall be required for an application for a Minor Precise Development Plans. An application for a Major Precise Development Plan shall require a public hearing before the Planning Commission pursuant to Section 17.03.060 (Conduct of Public Hearings).

(Ord. # 26-1500 §5 (Exh. K), adopted 06/23/2026, effective 07/23/2026) 

Effective on: 7/23/2026

The review authority must make all of the following findings to approve or conditionally approve a Precise Development Plan application. The inability to make one or more of the findings is grounds for denial of an application.

1. A.
   The design, layout, and other physical features of the project complies with all other applicable provisions of this Title and all other Titles of the Hermosa Beach Municipal Code;
2. B.
   The design, layout, and other physical features of the project is consistent with the General Plan, and any applicable specific plan or design guidelines;
3. C.
   The design, layout, and other physical features of the project complies with any design or development standards applicable to the zone or the use in question, unless waived or modified pursuant to the provisions of this Title; and
4. D.
   The design, layout, and other physical features of the project are compatible with the desired form and character of the area, as established in the General Plan.

(Ord. # 26-1500 §5 (Exh. K), adopted 06/23/2026, effective 07/23/2026) 

Effective on: 7/23/2026

In approving a Precise Development Plan, the review authority may impose reasonable conditions or restrictions and/or require reasonable guarantees and evidence that such conditions are being, or will be, complied with, to achieve the following outcomes:

1. A.
   Ensure that the proposal conforms in all significant respects with the General Plan and with any other applicable plans or policies adopted by the City Council;
2. B.
   Achieve the general purposes of this Title or the specific purpose of the zone in which the project is located;
3. C.
   Achieve the findings for a Precise Development Plan listed in Section TBD, Required Findings; and
4. D.
   Mitigate any potentially significant impacts identified because of environmental review conducted in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act.

(Ord. # 26-1500 §5 (Exh. K), adopted 06/23/2026, effective 07/23/2026) 

Effective on: 7/23/2026

1. A.
   Appeals. Appeals of Precise Development Plan shall be processed pursuant to Section 17.03.120 (Appeals and Calls for Review).
2. B.
   Expiration and Extension. An approved Precise Development Plan may expire or be extended pursuant to Section 17.03.090 (Effective Dates: Expiration and Extension).
3. C.
   Revocation and Expiration. Revocation and Expiration of any Precise Development Plan shall be processed pursuant to Section 17.03.110 (Revocation of Permits).
4. D.
   Reapplication Upon Denial. After the denial of a Precise Development Plan has become final, no further application for the same use shall be filed for the same property for the ensuing 12 months, unless the project is revised to resolve the review authority’s previous objections to the project. Said revision shall require a new application process and payment of fees.

(Ord. # 26-1500 §5 (Exh. K), adopted 06/23/2026, effective 07/23/2026) 

Effective on: 7/23/2026