Council to Revisit Parking Permits, Discusses Museum Expansion Monday

The City Council returns Monday (a change to its regular slot on Tuesday evenings) with a couple of noteworthy items: more deliberation on the residential parking permit program, and whether to commit vacant Community Center space to the Hermosa Beach Museum for the next decade.

Parking Permits Back...Again

After directing staff in October to dig deeper into the residential parking program, the Council will consider whether to ease restrictions on fourth permits—and whether to deny permits altogether to residents with unpaid debts to the city.

Currently, only one address in Hermosa Beach holds four residential parking permits. The restriction? Each vehicle must be registered to a different driver. That's created frustration for families where multiple cars are registered to one parent's name, as is often the case.

Staff is proposing several options, from requiring a simple written affidavit of need to conducting on-site property inspections. The most significant change under consideration: a premium pricing model that would charge $150 for a fourth permit while keeping the first three at $60 each (or raising all permits to $75).

The program served 2,992 addresses this year. About 70% have one or two permits, 27% have three, and just one has four.

Council will also weigh whether to block permit sales to anyone owing the city money—unpaid parking tickets, delinquent business licenses, or outstanding fines. Staff warns this could create administrative headaches and invite disputes, but notes it would provide leverage for debt collection.

Museum Seeks Long-Term Expansion

The Hermosa Beach Museum is asking for adjacent vacant space on the Community Center's lower level to house an oral history studio, volunteer research area, and lifeguard display.

The proposal would extend the museum's current lease for 10 years beginning February 1, 2026. The museum would fundraise for all renovations—everything from HVAC upgrades to compliant flooring.

The city would retain an escape clause: if the museum hasn't secured full funding and permits by January 2029, the city could reconsider the commitment on a year-by-year basis.

There's no financial risk to the city, but the agreement would tie up the space long-term based on the museum's fundraising success. The museum has previously funded major renovations through private donations, including a comprehensive overhaul in 2007.

Also Monday

Council will also consider:

$59,000 contract increase for Turbo Data parking citation system, driven by 29% jump in citations and new collection services
Changes to on-call architectural services contracts
$180,000 playground equipment purchase for Valley, Seaview, and South Parks
Three new special events for 2026, including multiple beach tennis tournament dates north of the Pier

City Council meets on Monday 17th November beginning at 6pm in City Hall. Public participation is available, either in-person or via Zoom.