REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Travis Hopkins, City Manager
VIA: Ashley Wysocki, Director of Community & Library Services
PREPARED BY: Monica Candelario, Parking & Camping Operations Supervisor
Subject:
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Approve for introduction Ordinance No. 4350 amending Huntington Beach Municipal Code Chapter 10, Sections 10.04, 10.50, 10.56, 10.60, 10.64 and 10.68 relating to Vehicles and Traffic and Ordinance No. 4351 Chapter 13.08, Sections 13.08.005 and 13.08.080 relating to Beach Regulations
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Statement of Issue:
Ordinance No. 4350 amends certain sections of Chapter 10 of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code with respect to the City’s metered parking program by eliminating the requirement for individual parking meters at each parking space, removing the requirement to accept coin payments, and updating the Municipal Code to provide greater operational flexibility.
Ordinance No. 4351 amends Chapter 13.08 of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code by clarifying definitions and permit requirements for commercial and organized activities on the beach and adjacent beach areas.
Financial Impact:
No funds are required to approve the proposed changes to either ordinance.
Proposed changes to Ordinance No. 4350 are administrative in nature and will provide staff with the operational flexibility necessary to implement a modern parking payment system and improve operational efficiencies.
Proposed changes to Ordinance No. 4351 clarify existing regulations and administrative procedures for permitting commercial and organized activities within the City's beach areas.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
A) Approve for introduction Ordinance No. 4350, “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach Amending Sections 10.04, 10.50, 10.56, 10.60, 10.64, and 10.68 of Title 10 of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code relating to Vehicles and Traffic.”
B) Approve for introduction Ordinance No. 4351, “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach Amending Sections 13.08.005 and 13.08.080 of Chapter 13.08 of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code relating to Beach Regulations.”
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the recommended actions and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
Ordinance No. 4350:
The City's current Municipal Code requires that an individual parking meter be installed at each metered parking space and requires that coin payment be accepted. As parking technology has evolved, these requirements have become outdated and limit the City's ability to efficiently manage parking operations.
The proposed amendments to certain sections of Chapter 10 remove the requirement for individual parking meters at every parking space, eliminate coin payment requirements, and authorize the use of mobile payment applications and strategically located multi-space pay stations as the primary methods of payment. In addition, the proposed updates will allow greater flexibility in how parking payment systems are deployed and operated.
The proposed amendments would:
• Remove the requirement that every metered parking space be served by an individual parking meter.
• Eliminate coin payment as a required payment method.
• Authorize the installation and operation of multi-space pay stations in appropriate locations throughout the metered parking zone.
• Update Municipal Code language to provide greater operational flexibility and consistency.
Transitioning to app-based payments with a limited number of pay stations will reduce the number of physical devices requiring maintenance, improve system reliability, and provide greater convenience for most users while continuing to accommodate customers who prefer not to use a mobile device through the availability of pay stations. Collectively, these amendments modernize the City's parking program by allowing the City to implement modern parking technologies while maintaining convenient payment options for users.
The Community & Library Services Commission reviewed the proposed ordinance at its February 11, 2026, meeting and recommended City Council approve the proposed changes.
Ordinance No. 4351:
Separately, Chapter 13.08 regulates activities occurring on the beach and adjacent beach areas to protect public access, ensure visitor safety, preserve public resources, and provide for the orderly use of City facilities. As commercial recreation and organized activities have evolved, staff have identified areas within the Municipal Code that would benefit from additional clarification.
The proposed ordinance updates Chapter 13.08 by expanding the definition of "Facilities" to clearly identify the types of City-owned amenities subject to regulation, including bonfire rings, buildings, parking lots, picnic tables, barbecues, courts, and lifeguard towers.
The ordinance also clarifies that any person who provides, offers, or advertises services; rents or furnishes equipment or personal property for commercial or promotional purposes; or conducts organized recreational, instructional, or fitness activities on the beach, adjacent beach area, or within the Water Activity Zone must first obtain written permission or a permit from the Director, as applicable.
These amendments clarify existing regulations without making substantive changes to City policy. The revised language provides greater consistency in administration, ensures that all commercial and organized uses are reviewed through the established permitting process, and reduces ambiguity regarding activities that require City approval. The amendments also help protect public access, promote equitable use of public spaces, and support effective management of the City's beach resources.
Environmental Status:
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5), administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment do not constitute a project.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Non Applicable - Administrative Item
Attachment(s):
1. Ordinance No. 4350 “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach Amending Sections 10.04, 10.50, 10.56, 10.60, 10.64, and 10.68 of Title 10 of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code relating to Vehicle and Traffic”
2. Legislative Draft, HBMC Chapter 10
3. Ordinance No. 4351 “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach Amending Sections 13.08.005 and 13.08.080 of Chapter 13.08 of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code relating to Beach Regulations”
4. Legislative Draft, HBMC Chapter 13.08
5. Amending HBMC Chapter 10 & 13 Presentation