UPCOMING
- Saturday, August 20, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM - LA County Distribution of NOAA Fire Weather Radios - LA County Fire Camp 8, Malibu
- Saturday, August 20, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM - Household Hazardous and Electronic Waste Collection - City Hall upper parking lot
- Saturday, August 20, 6:30 PM - CineMalibu Outdoor Moveie featuring "SING 2" - Malibu Bluffs Park
- Monday, August 22, 6:30 PM - City Council Regular Meeting - virtual
- Monday, August 22, 6:30 PM - City Council Discussion of Accessory Dwelling Unit Proposed Ordinance - virtual
- Tuesday, August 23, 9:00 AM - Malibu Arts Commission Regular Meeting - virtual
- Tuesday, August 23, 2:00 PM - Homelessness Task Force Special Meeting - virtual
- Wednesday, August 24, 9:00 AM - Environmental Review Board Regular Meeting - virtual
- Wednesday, August 24, 3:30 PM - Public Works Commission Regular Meeting - virtual
- Tuesday, August 30, 3:00 PM - Dark Sky Educational Presentation - Residential Properties - virtual
- Wednesday, August 31, 3:00 PM - Dark Sky Educational Presentation - Commercial & Multi-Family Properties - virtual
- Thursday, September 1, 7:00 PM - Harry Barovsky Memorial Youth Commission Regular Meeting - virtual
(NEW) COUNCIL VOTES TO PLACE LOCAL MEASURE ON NOVEMBER BALLOT FOR CITY SERVICES
On August 8, the City Council unanimously voted to place a measure on the November 8, 2022 ballot for local Malibu voters to decide. The official ballot question is: “To support such city services as public safety, crime and fire prevention, addressing homelessness, keeping public areas safe and clean, preventing speeding and reckless driving, protecting coastal waters and beaches from pollution, preserving natural areas, supporting local businesses, and other general city services; shall a measure be adopted establishing a 1/2¢ transactions and use (sales) tax providing approximately $3,000,000 annually until ended by voters, requiring public spending disclosures and local control of funds?” The City will be providing information to residents over the next couple of months to help them make an informed decision. For further questions, please contact the City Clerk at cityclerk@malibucity.org.
(NEW) L
A COUNTY TO DISTRIBUTE FREE NOAA FIRE WEATHER RADIOS, August 20
The Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACOFD) will continue distributing free National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radios to Malibu residents Saturday, August 20, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM at LA County Fire Camp 8, 1900 S. Rambla Pacifico. Registration online in advance is required in order to receive a radio. OEM is authorized to use NOAA alerting signals to alert the public in LA County about wildfires, earthquakes and other disasters by sending out an alert message over the NOAA weather radio frequencies. With an NOAA weather radio, you can receive emergency information power and communications are knocked out. LACOFD and OEM distributed the radios at City Hall on August 18. For more information contact megan.currier@fire.lacounty.gov.
CITY HALL REMAINS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON A LIMITED BASIS
City Hall remains open to the public on a limited basis. Regular City Hall hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM and Fridays 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Members of the public may come to City Hall without an appointment during public counter hours. An appointment will be needed for in-person assistance during any other hours. Visitors will be asked to remain outside the building until they can be helped by staff. Appointments can be made online. Facemasks are no longer required, but are strongly recommended, inside City Hall.
Public Counter Hours
- Planning: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, walk in. Other times by appointment only.
- Permit Services: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, walk-in and appointment. Other times by appointment only.
- Building Plan Check: Tuesday and Thursday, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, walk-in and appointment. Other times by appointment only.
- Environmental Health: Tuesday and Thursday, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, walk-in and appointment. Other times by appointment only.
- Geology / Coastal Engineering: Tuesday and Thursday, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, walk-in and appointment. Other times by appointment only.
- Public Works: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, walk-in. Other times by appointment only.
To make virtual appointments with City staff and Departments, please call or email:
MALIBU SENIOR CENTER AT CITY HALL OPEN FOR IN-PERSON SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES
The Senior Center is open for general and various in-person services and programs Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Facemasks are no longer required, but are strongly recommended while inside City Hall. Seniors can use the general use areas of the Center, including the computer lab, library and various recreation programs. Staff is also available to assist with Dial-A-Ride questions and program registrations. Fresh coffee is available daily from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. For more information, call 310-456-2489, ext. 357 or visit the webpage.
(NEW) COVID-19 RESPONSE UPDATE
City staff continues to monitor and respond to the pandemic by participating in regular briefings and conference calls with partner agencies and issuing alerts and notifications regarding changes to the situation. On August 16, 2022, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH) confirmed 15 new deaths and 4,829 new cases. Other key updates from the County’s COVID-19 Dashboard as of August 16, 2022, include the following:
- 2,627 confirmed positive cases and 13 deaths in the City of Malibu to date
- 3,368,366 confirmed cases and 32,763 deaths in LA County to date
- 1,009 current hospitalizations in LA County, a decrease of 233 since August 2
(NEW) FREE AT-HOME COVID-19 TESTS
While COVID-19 case rates are declining and LA County has entered the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) medium community level, knowing your health status remains key to slowing the spread, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH). Residents are advised to get tested when they have been exposed, have symptoms, before and after gatherings, and when they travel. For guidance on what to do if you test positive, do or do not have symptoms, and related information, visit the LADPH website. Free over-the-counter tests can be picked up at LADPH vaccination sites and at a variety of locations and partners. At-home tests can also be ordered at for free from the federal government. Those who lack internet access or have access and functional needs can call 833-540-0473, seven days a week, 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM.
(NEW) wildfire season updates
Live Fuel Moisture Now at Critical Level - Our annual fire season is approaching. The current Live Fuel Moisture (LFM) is at 60%, down from 66% two weeks ago. The temperatures, wind, humidity, and Dead Fuel Moisture have been favorable, but those factors will change for the worse as summer progresses. As part of continuous wildfire preparedness, the City tracks Live Fuel Moisture (LFM) in the Malibu area as an important part of determining current fire conditions. LFM is the percentage of water content to dry matter in live vegetation. LFM at 60% and below is considered critical. The Los Angeles County Fire Department Forestry Division conducts sampling approximately every two weeks and posts the results on its website.
Start Getting Prepared Now - Residents should begin preparing for wildfire season now. Create your family or business emergency plan, including evacuation routes and reunification locations, and gather emergency supplies. If you have them already, review your plans and check the expiration dates on food and medication. Keep vehicle fuel tanks above half full. Make sure you are able to open electric gates or garage doors when the power is out. For preparedness guidance, get the Malibu Survival Guide. Most importantly, make sure flammable materials and vegetation are cleared away from your home. To help you prepare your property, you can schedule a free Home Wildfire Hardening Assessment by emailing FireSafety@MalibuCity.org, calling 310-456-2489, ext. 388 or visiting the Fire Safety webpage.
Join the City's Preparedness Events in September for National Preparedness Month - In anticipation of Malibu’s peak wildfire season this fall, the City is getting ready and helping residents be more prepared for wildfires and other disasters with National Preparedness Month events throughout September. The City will host preparedness trainings, will conduct weekly tests of the Everbridge Disaster Notification System, and will host the annual Fire Season Community Briefing with Los Angeles County Fire Chief Drew Smith, and LA County Office of Emergency Management and Fire Department will distribute free NOAA Weather Radios. All event details will be posted on the website.
Schedule Your Free Home Wildfire Hardening Assessment - Malibu homeowners can schedule a free home wildfire hardening assessment with the City’s Fire Safety Liaisons to learn how to protect your home from the millions of burning embers that can fly up to two miles out ahead of a wind-driven wildfire. Flying embers are a leading cause of homes burning down during wildfires. The 30-60 minute inspections follow the Fire Code and nationally recognized best practices. You can learn simple and often inexpensive steps, such as maintaining good brush clearance, keeping dead vegetation and flammable materials such as wood furniture away from the house, and covering up eave vents with metal mesh. Schedule an appointment by emailing FireSafety@MalibuCity.org or calling 310-456-2489, ext. 388 or visiting the Fire Safety webpage.
(NEW) MORE FIRE BEACON BOXES INSTALLED IN MALIBU TO ASSIST WITH FIRE RESPONSE
This past week the City completed the installation of the first round of Beacon Boxes. The City has purchased 47 of the boxes and is installing them at all major intersections along PCH. These bright red boxes hold maps for agencies from outside of Los Angeles County Fire Departments jurisdiction to use in the event of a large brush fire. They are unique to each neighborhood and have information like which dead end streets have turn around areas, pool locations, hydrants and draft hydrants and much more valuable information for firefighting resources from outside of the area.
(NEW) DARK SKY ORDINANCE educational presentations for residents and businesses, August 30 & 31
The City is hosting two virtual educational presentations to help residents and businesses be able to comply with the City's Dark Sky requirements by the October 15, 2022 deadline. Residential properties: Tuesday, August 30, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM. Commercial and multifamily properties: Wednesday, August 31, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM. For details and the Zoom Meeting link, visit MalibuCity.org/DarkSky. Video from the City's informational meeting on July 20 is also available online .
The City's Dark Sky Ordinance is meant to reduce light pollution through the proper application of outdoor electric lighting to protect Malibu’s wildlife, habitats and quality of life. Requirements include light fixtures that are fully shielded, have low color temperature, and direct light downwards. The deadline for commercial, residential, and institutional properties to comply was extended to October 15, 2022 in response to concerns about non-compliance and community feedback requesting more time and information. The compliance period for gas stations remains October 15, 2019. For more details, including resources to help homeowners and businesses comply with the regulations, visit the Dark Sky webpage.
(NEW) SHORT-TERM RENTAL HOSTED ORDINANCE rejected by coastal commission
On August 12, 2022, the California Coastal Commission (CCC) held a public hearing and denied the City's Local Coastal Program Amendment (LCPA) Short-Term Rental Unit Hosted Ordinance. The CCC determined that an ordinance which requires the presence of an onsite host during short-term rentals (STRs) of single-family residences would reduce the availability of STRs in the City and that the City does not have a sufficient number of accommodations such as hotels to make up for the potential loss. The CCC encouraged the City to work with its staff to reach a mutually agreeable resolution and return to the CCC with a revised ordinance. City staff will be presenting an item to the City Council in the near future to get direction on the future of this ordinance. For more information about Malibu’s efforts to regulate STRs, visit the webpage.
(NEW) streamlined TENANT IMPROVEMENT PLAN CHECK process
The City has implemented a procedure for Plan Review by appointment for Tenant Improvement projects. This is an effort to streamline the Plan Review process for smaller, less complex Tenant Improvement projects that can be reviewed over the counter at City Hall. Express Tenant Improvement Plan Check appointments are available Wednesdays, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM. Make an appointment online. For further information, visit the webpage.
(NEW) MALIBU MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL SPECIFIC PLAN PROJECT APPROVED ON FIRST READING. SECOND READING AND FINAL ADOPTION SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 12
The Malibu City Council approved on first reading the Malibu Middle and High School (MMHS) Specific Plan Project (Ordinance No. 501 which adopts changes to the Malibu Municipal Code and Local Coastal Program), with some amendments on August 8, 2022. Amendments included a clarification that the illuminated signs must be turned off within one-half hour of the end of all school events. The City will submit the Local Coastal Program (LCP) Amendment to the California Coastal Commission for certification review. The second reading and adoption is scheduled for the September 12, 2022 Council meeting. The agenda and staff report will be posted in advance of the meeting. Members of the public are encouraged to send public comment in advance to the City Council at CityCouncil@MalibuCity.org. For more information, see the staff report and the SMMUSD Project Webpage
(NEW) MALIBU REBUILDS - STATISTICS
Staff continues to work with homeowners to rebuild. Here are the current Woolsey Fire rebuild statistics. See continuously updated statistics on the Rebuild Portal.
- Single Family Dwellings building permits issued - 239
- Single Family Dwellings complete - 90
- Multifamily building permits issued - 18 units
- Multifamily building units complete- 12 units
MALIBU REBUILDS - PLANNING CONSULTATIONS AND REBUILD RESOURCES
The Fire Rebuild team is available Monday through Friday at City Hall for complimentary one-on-one consultations about any fire rebuild project. Contact Aakash Shah at ashah@malibucity.org to set an appointment for a meeting by phone or online. For ideas about how to get started with your project, as well as numerous handouts, forms and resources, visit the Rebuild webpage.
(NEW) city council to discuss ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT ORDINANCE, AUGUST 22
During the Council meeting on Monday, August 22, 6:30 PM, the Council will discuss the proposed Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance including the Planning Commission's requests for additional studies and direction. The staff report (Item 6C), viewing and commenting instructions are available on the Virtual Meetings webpage. The state of California has identified ADUs as an important tool to create more affordable housing amidst the statewide housing crisis and has passed several laws to make it easier to build ADUs. The City is preparing an ordinance to be consistent with State laws, and to ensure the regulations reflect Malibu’s needs and characteristics. For more information, visit the ADU webpage.
(NEW) HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS AND ELECTRONIC WASTE COLLECTION, AUGUST 20
Malibu residents can drop off paint, used motor oil, household chemicals, used electronic devices, batteries and other materials to be safely and properly disposed of, Saturday, August 20, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM at Malibu City Hall in the upper parking lot (23825 Stuart Ranch Road, Malibu). For more information, including the complete list of accepted materials, visit the webpage.
MANDATORY WATER USE RESTRICTIONS IN EFFECT DUE TO DROUGHT
With the current drought estimated to be considerably more extreme than the 2015 drought, the Los Angeles County Waterworks Districts (LACWD) has issued mandatory water use restrictions for communities including the City of Malibu, which is served by Waterworks District 29. LACWD asks all customers to cut back their water usage by 30%. Outdoor and lawn watering is restricted to two days a week based on address numbering and property type:
- Tuesdays and Fridays = residential even number
- Mondays and Thursdays = residential odd number
- Mondays and Fridays = commercial
- 10 minutes per station maximum
- Only allowed between 6:00 PM and 10:00 AM
Separately, the City of Malibu also prohibits spray irrigation between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM, and prohibits any landscape irrigation within 48 hours of significant rainfall. See all of the City’s water conservation rules. See the complete list of LACWD water use restrictions at: LACWaterworks.org.
WATER CONSERVATION REBATES AND RESOURCES AVAILABLE
With mandatory water use restrictions in place due to the drought, residents and businesses are urged to make use of the many rebates and resources available to help save money and water. One of most effective ways to permanently reduce water use is to replace water-thirsty grass lawns with beautiful, drought-resistant landscapes. Malibu residents and businesses can apply for a cash rebate to remove grass lawns of $5 per square foot (up to 5,000 square feet or $25,000 total). Other rebates for Malibu residents include water-saving toilets, laundry machines, sprinkler nozzles, rain barrels and cisterns, weather-based irrigation controllers and soil moisture sensor systems. Rebates and resources for commercial customers include water-saving devices, the Water Savings Incentive Program, the Onsite Retrofit Program, and the Public Agency Turf Replacement and Project Assistance Program. All of the residential and commercial rebates are listed with application instructions on the Socal Water Smart website.
(NEW) SPECIAL EVENTS REPORT
Currently, there are permitted events on August 20, September 10 and September 17, as well as every Sunday for parking for the Farmer's Market, and June 18 through October 3 for the City's Temporary Day-Use Impound Yard. The City of Malibu Planning Department posts a weekly report of approved event permits on the website. In order for members of the public to be informed of pending event permit applications and to provide an additional opportunity for public input, the City has changed the Event Permit Report format to include all event permit applications deemed complete for review for consistency and compliance with the requirements of the Malibu Municipal Code and the Planning Director’s action on each application. The updated Event Permit Report has been posted to the City's website. To sign up to receive an email or text message when an updated Event Permit Report is posted, visit the e-notifications page (scroll down to the "Special Event Permit Report" category).
(NEW) "caffeinated verse" WORKSHOP with malibu POET LAUREATE, SEPTEMBER 24
Join the City of Malibu’s Poet Laureate Ann Buxie for Caffeinated Verse, with featured reader Charlotte Ward on Saturday, September 24, 11:00 AM at the Malibu Library. The featured reader is followed by an open mic format for poets to share their work. The event is part of the City's free poetry workshops, in partnership with the Malibu Library, the Malibu Poet Laureate Committee, and the Malibu Arts Commission, offering community members engaging, educational opportunities to find expression through poetry with a renowned local poet. For more information, visit the Poet Laureate webpage.
DAYTIME WORK CONTINUES ON TRANCAS CREEK BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT
Work on the Caltrans Trancas Bridge Replacement Project continues with daytime work weekdays 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM. There will be intermittent lane and shoulder closures on PCH between Guernsey Avenue and Trancas Canyon Road. Motorists, pedestrians and cyclists should proceed with caution, and watch for vehicles, equipment staging, workers, dust, lights, signs in the road and shoulder, and unplanned temporary lane and shoulder closures. The speed limit is reduced to 30 MPH, with signs posted, in the construction zone. Under California law, speeding fines are doubled in construction zones. Sign up for traffic alerts via text or email on the website (scroll to “Alert Center"). Updates and information about the project, work activities and lane closures are posted on the website.
E-NOTIFICATIONS
The City maintains a robust e-notification system so the community can stay informed about all the City’s activities. Sign up to receive messages by text or email on the City’s e-notifications page.
FURTHER QUESTIONS
For questions or comments, contact the City Manager at SMcClary@MalibuCity.org.
See Past City Manager Updates