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CC - CONSENT ITEM: Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) by Adding a New Chapter 11.35 and Amending Section 13.03.025.
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Meeting Date: May 11, 2026
Contact Person/Dept.: Luis Gonzalez / Office of Economic and Cultural Development
Phone Number: 310-253-5767
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: GovDelivery (04/06/26), Downtown Culver City Business Association (04/06/26), Chamber of Commerce (04/09/26), (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (05/08/26)
Department Approval: Adam Troy, Assistant City Manager (05/07/26)
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council adopt an ordinance amending the Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) by adding a new Chapter 11.35 and amending Section 13.03.025 (Attachment 1).
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Senate Bill 969 permits California cities to designate entertainment zones, defined as specific areas in which licensed establishments may sell alcoholic beverages to patrons who may then roam freely within these zones during consumption.
Pursuant to a request by the Downtown Culver City Business Association, subsequent direction from the City Council, and a recommendation from the Economic Development Subcommittee, the City Council, on April 13, 2026, received and reviewed the Downtown Culver City Entertainment Zone Management Plan (Plan) and unanimously introduced a related Ordinance adding a new Chapter 11.35 and amending Section 13.03.025. The Ordinance is being presented to City Council for adoption at this time.
The Entertainment Zone encompasses the majority of the Downtown Culver City Business Improvement District, generally bounded by Culver Boulevard between Madison Avenue and Venice Boulevard, and Washington Boulevard between Hughes Avenue and Culver Boulevard. The Zone is inclusive of adjacent side streets up to the City boundary, including Main Street, Cardiff Avenue, and Watseka Avenue. The proposed zone also includes community and event spaces such as Town Plaza and The Culver Steps, which currently host numerous special events. For further background and details of the Plan, see the April 13, 2026 staff report (Attachment 2).
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The development of an entertainment zone would require City resources to update existing codes as well as for the implementation of the Management Plan. Costs associated with Entertainment Zone activation and staffing are proposed to be borne by the DBA, event organizers and/or sponsored by the City.
As proposed in the Management Plan, and as discussed with the Police Department, the minimum public safety cost to activate the Entertainment Zone is below:
Deployment of public safety during approved Entertainment Zone activations shall occur in conjunction and as a condition of the special event permit. As proposed this outlines the potential costs for activation during a 6-hour event. The Culver City Police Department shall require the following minimum for Entertainment Zone Activation: Two (2) Law Enforcement Officers and Six (6) Private Security Professionals.
If an event includes street closure, the deployment requirement is increased to: Four (4) Law Enforcement Officers, Two (2) Parking Enforcement Officers and 12 Private Security Professionals.
The above is not inclusive of additional fees associated with City permitting, additional staffing required, private security or other costs that may be incurred. Additional Life Safety officers may be assigned to an event, regardless of whether the Entertainment Zone is activated, as determined during the special event permit process.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Entertainment Zone Ordinance
2. April 13, 2026 Staff Report
MOTION
That the City Council:
Adopt an Ordinance Amending Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) by adding a new Chapter 11.35 and amending § 13.03.025 relating to the establishment of an Entertainment Zone.