Wireless Communication Facility Ordinance Update

project status

Updated 04/13/21 - The City is currently in the process of updating its Wireless Communication Facility Ordinance. On April 12, 2021, the City Council held a public hearing and amended the WCF draft ordinance and resolution, adopting engineering, design and location standards, conditions of approval and basic application requirements for wireless communication facilities on land other than public right-of-way. The second reading of the ordinance will occur on April 26. To submit comments to the City Council, email CityCouncil@malibucity.org. For information on how to participate and view meetings, visit malibucity.org/virtualmeeting..

project overview

In 2016, the City Council directed staff to update the City of Malibu Wireless Communication Facility (WCF) Ordinances ("Ordinance"). The City’s WCF Ordinance is contained in Malibu Municipal Code (MMC) Chapter 17.46 and Local Coastal Program Local Implementation Plan Section 3.16. The Ordinance update attempts to address issues that residents, City staff, and wireless communications applicants have experienced during the process of proposing and siting new facilities, including existing facility upgrades throughout the City. City staff wishes to establish a transparent permitting process for WCFs and adopt other processing time rules. In addition, the code update is also necessary to bring the City’s Ordinance into compliance with federal and State laws that have been enacted since the adoption of its original ordinance in 2003.

Project Timeline

A timeline of the project starting in November 2020 is provided in the Project Timeline (revised 4/13/21). For information regarding past meetings, visit the Community Meetings & Public Input section below. 

Urgency Ordinance

On Wednesday, December 9, 2020,  the City Council held a Special Meeting and adopted an Urgency Ordinance (Ord No. 477U), to regulate the permitting of wireless facilities in public rights-of-way and adopted  a resolution to establish design and development standards and standard permit conditions for wireless facilities in public rights-of-way. For more information on the Urgency Ordinance, please review the agenda and staff report online and the City's final action. 

submit comments

Comments on the ordinance may be submitted to Adrian Fernandez via email at AFernandez@malibucity.org or mail to: City of Malibu Planning Department, Attn: Adrian Fernandez, 23825 Stuart Ranch Road, Malibu, CA 90265.

notifications

To be notified directly of important information regarding the WCF Ordinance Update, including public hearings and meetings, email the Planning Department at psalazar@malibucity.org  or call 310-456-2489, ext. 245.

Community Meetings & Public Input

resources

WCF