City Aims to Enforce Downtown Sidewalks Code

In time for spring cleaning, city officials plan to soon sweep Hermosa Beach streets for outdoor seating, merchandise racks, and other items placed along public sidewalks downtown without the approval and permits required under municipal code.

The effort to increase enforcement is part of the city’s new Hermosa Clean Sweep campaign, Hermosa Beach Mayor Peter Tucker said in a statement Monday.

The campaign launches June 1.

“By working with local business owners to remove unauthorized items that can block access to businesses, we can protect the beauty of our downtown and enhance the experience of those who visit our local stores and restaurants,” Tucker said.

As part of the campaign, local merchants are encouraged to revisit the rules and obtain the needed conditional use and-or encroachment permits if they would like to place items on the sidewalk space outside of their store. Outdoor items are allowed as long as they're permitted.

Once the Hermosa Clean Sweep campaign kicks off, items found out of compliance will receive a warning. For subsequent violations, the city will impound the unauthorized items, according to a news release from the city.

The Hermosa Clean Sweep campaign follows a complete renovation of the upper Pier Avenue area downtown and a , which, among other changes, widened sidewalks along Pier Avenue.

The Chamber of Commerce encourages business owners with questions to contact the city. The Hermosa Beach Community Development Department can be reached at 310-318-0242.