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CC - ACTION ITEM: (1) Receipt and Review of the Downtown Culver City Entertainment Zone Management Plan; (2) Introduction of an Ordinance Amending Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) by Adding a New Chapter 11.35 and Amending Section 13.03.025; and (3) Direction to the City Manager as Deemed Appropriate.
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Meeting Date: April 13, 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 [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: GovDelivery (04/06/2026), Downtown Culver City Business Association (04/06/2026), Chamber of Commerce (04/09/2026), (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (04/09/2026)
Department Approval: Elaine Warner, Economic Development Director (02/25/2026)
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) receive and review the proposed Downtown Culver City Entertainment Zone management plan; (2) introduce a related ordinance amending the Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) by adding a new Chapter 11.35 and amending Section 13.03.025; and (3) provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND
On March 3, 2025, the Downtown Culver City Business Association (DBA) requested that the City Council consider designating Downtown Culver City as an entertainment zone to incentivize visitation, support existing events and boost economic activity. The City Council provided consensus to consider the item at a future time.
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.
On September 26, 2025, staff presented the concept and proposed boundaries of the entertainment zone to the Economic Development Subcommittee for consideration and received positive feedback.
On October 13, 2025, the City Council approved the creation of the entertainment zone contingent on the development of a comprehensive management plan to be considered at a later date (Attachment 1).
On February 5, 2026, the Economic Development Subcommittee reviewed and approved the proposed Management Plan with some direction.
The proposed 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.
DISCUSSION
The Entertainment Zone is intended to function as an economic development and placemaking tool that supports downtown businesses, enhances visitor experience, and compliments existing City and community special events. By encouraging visitors to linger, socialize, and explore downtown during permitted events, the Entertainment Zone is expected to:
• Increase foot traffic and sales for participating restaurants and bars;
• Generate spillover benefits for surrounding retail and service businesses; and
• Reinforce Downtown Culver City’s identity as a vibrant, walkable entertainment destination.
The proposed program aligns with state enabling legislation (SB 969) and is structured to operate only during permitted special events. Participation in the Entertainment Zone would be limited to existing brick-and-mortar businesses located within the boundaries of the Zone in Downtown Culver City holding a valid on-site Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) license.
Management Plan Elements
A comprehensive Management Plan has been developed collaboratively by City staff and the Downtown Business Association (DBA) to ensure that the entertainment zone is implemented in a safe, controlled, and consistent manner. The Management Plan addresses the following key elements:
• Activation Parameters: The Entertainment Zone would only be activated in conjunction with permitted special events approved by the City. Each activation would require a special event permit and compliance with all applicable City and ABC requirements.
• Hours of Operation: Alcohol sales and consumption within the Entertainment Zone would be limited to the specific hours in alignment with approved events occurring in Downtown and would be subject to any additional restrictions imposed by the City.
• Participating Businesses: Only licensed Downtown Culver City businesses with valid on-sale ABC licenses may sell alcoholic beverages for consumption within the entertainment zone.
• Age Verification and Wristbands: Participating businesses are required to verify that patrons are 21 years of age or older and affix a DBA-branded wristband prior to selling alcoholic beverages for consumption off-premises and within the zone. Wristbands must be worn at all times while consuming alcohol within the zone.
• Container Requirements: Alcoholic beverages may not be served in glass, metal, or single-use plastic containers. All containers must be approved by the City and comply with the City’s Waste Reduction Regulations.
• Boundary Controls and Signage: Clearly marked signage will be installed at zone boundaries and within participating businesses to inform patrons of applicable rules, including prohibition on travelling with an open container beyond the proposed Entertainment Zone and after special event or approved activation hours.
• Security and Staffing: The Management Plan establishes baseline staffing guidelines for law enforcement, parking enforcement, and private security during Entertainment Zone activations. Staffing levels may be adjusted by the Culver City Police Department based on event size, safety status, and operational considerations.
• Street Closures: Larger activations may require partial or full street closures, subject to City review and approval through the special event permitting process and City Council approval.
Roles and Responsibilities
• Downtown Culver City Business Association (DBA): Serves as the Entertainment Zone lead, coordinates participating businesses, facilitates wristband distribution and container approval, and assists with event operations and security coordination.
• City of Culver City: Retains authority over ordinance administration, event permitting, public safety review, and ongoing oversight of the Management Plan.
• Participating Businesses: Responsible for compliance with all ABC regulations, age verification, container requirements, and adherence to Entertainment Zone rules.
The Entertainment Zone is designed to complement existing Downtown programming, including events such as the Summer Concert Series, Pride Ride & Festival, Third Wednesdays, Tree Lighting Sled-tacular, and Love Local initiatives. The DBA has also identified the Entertainment Zone as a tool to enhance visitor experiences associated with upcoming regional and international events, including the FIFA World Cup, Super Bowl, and 2028 Olympic Games.
Event Organizers interested in Entertainment Zone activation to enhance their events would work with the DBA and the City during the special event permit process. The DBA is responsible for coordinating with event organizers to recoup costs relative to security, containers, and signage as a result of activation. The preparation and implementation of a Management Plan is an administrative procedure and would be performed by the Economic Development Department under the proposed Ordinance going forward.
Municipal Code Amendment
Two amendments to the Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) will be required. The first is an ordinance to establish the Entertainment Zone itself, by adding a new Chapter 11.35. This will also authorize implementing regulations and the Management Plan. Additionally, CCMC § 13.03.025 currently prohibits the consumption of beer, wine or alcoholic beverage while on any street, sidewalk, alley, highway, public playground or public park except for designated areas relative to City-produced or City-sponsored events with the issuance of an Administrative Use Permit. This section of the CCMC must therefore be amended to allow for service and consumption of beer and wine in the designated boundaries of the entertainment zone, including Town Plaza. Additionally, the City Council would be required to review and update the implementing ordinance every two years.
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. Proposed Entertainment Zone Management Plan
2. Map of Downtown Culver City Boundary
3. Letters of Support
4. Entertainment Zone Ordinance
5. Staff presentation to be presented during the City Council Meeting.
MOTION
That the City Council:
1. Receive and review the Downtown Culver City Entertainment Zone Management Plan;
2. Introduce 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; and
3. Provide Direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.