Hermosa Beach City Zoning Code

This Chapter establishes procedures by which changes may be made to the text of this Zoning Ordinance and to the Zoning Map, whenever the public necessity, convenience, general welfare, or good practice justify such amendment, consistent with the General Plan.

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

Effective on: 7/23/2026

1. A.
   The procedures in this Chapter shall apply to all proposals to change the text of this Zoning Ordinance or to revise a zone or boundary line shown on the Zoning Map.
2. B.
   Initiation of Amendment. An amendment to the Zoning Ordinance may be initiated by the Director, by motion of the Planning Commission, or by a motion of the City Council. An amendment to the Zoning Map may be initiated by the owner of the subject property, the Director, by motion of the Planning Commission, or by a motion of the City Council.

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

Effective on: 7/23/2026

The Planning Commission shall act as the advisory body for all amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map and provide recommendations to the City Council. The City Council shall act as the final review authority and upon receiving a recommendation from the Planning Commission, may adopt, reject, or modify all zoning amendments.

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

Effective on: 7/23/2026

1. A.
   Application. Applications for Zoning Amendments shall be filed with the Community Development Department on application forms prescribed by the Director.
2. B.
   Public Hearing and Notice. All amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map shall be referred to the Planning Commission, which shall conduct at least one public hearing on any proposed amendment prior to submitting a recommendation report to the City Council. At least 20 days before the date of any public hearing, the City shall provide notice as provided for in Section 17.03.050 (Public Notice).
3. C.
   Planning Commission Hearing and Recommendation

   1. 1.
      Planning Commission Hearing. Before submitting a recommendation to the City Council, the Planning Commission shall conduct at least one public hearing.
   2. 2.
      Recommendation to City Council. Following the public hearing, the Planning Commission shall make a recommendation on the proposed amendment to the City Council. Such recommendation shall include the reasons for the recommendation, findings related to General Plan consistency, and a discussion of the relationship of the proposed amendment to other adopted documents. The recommendation shall be transmitted to the City Council with a copy of the approved minutes from the Planning Commission hearing.

      1. a.
         Approval. If the Planning Commission has recommended approval of the proposed amendment, the City Council is required to take final action.
      2. b.
         Denial. If the Planning Commission has recommended against the proposed amendment, the City Council is not required to take any further action unless an appeal is filed in accordance with Section 17.03.120 (Appeals and Calls for Review).
      3. c.
         Reapplication Upon Denial. After the denial of a Zoning Amendment has become final, no further application for the same Zoning Amendment shall be filed for the ensuing 12 months, unless the project is revised to resolve the review authority’s previous objections to the project.

         1. i.
            Determination if the new application has resolved the review authority’s previous objections shall be made by the Director.
         2. ii.
            Said revision shall require a new application process and payment of fee.
4. D.
   City Council Hearing and Action

   1. 1.
      City Council Hearing. After receiving the recommendation from the Planning Commission, the City Council shall hold a hearing in accordance with Section 17.03.060 (Conduct of Public Hearings). The notice for the hearing shall include a summary of the Planning Commission recommendation.
   2. 2.
      City Council Action. After the conclusion of the hearing, the City Council may approve, modify, or deny the proposed amendment. If the Council proposes any substantial revision not previously considered by the Planning Commission during its hearings, the proposed revision shall first be referred to the Planning Commission for report and recommendation, but the Planning Commission shall not be required to hold a public hearing. The failure of the Planning Commission to report within 45 days after the referral shall be deemed a recommendation for approval and the amendment shall be returned to Council for adoption.

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

Effective on: 7/23/2026

The following findings shall be made prior to approval of any Zoning Amendment:

1. A.
   The amendment would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience or welfare of the City;
2. B.
   The amendment is consistent with the intent of the vision, goals and objectives, and policies of general plan; and
3. C.
   The amendment is consistent with the purpose of the Zoning Ordinance, Title 17.

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

Effective on: 7/23/2026