Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Seaside staff outlines draft ordinance to regulate firearms and ammunition sales; council asks for buffer options and security rules
Summary
City staff presented a draft ordinance scope on June 5 that would confine firearms and ammunition retail sales to parts of southwest Seaside, add security and storage requirements, and require a discretionary use permit and annual police inspections.
Seaside staff presented a draft ordinance on June 5 to regulate retail sales of firearms and ammunition in the city, framing the proposal as a zoning‑and‑public‑safety measure rather than a ban.
City Manager Houston Smith told the council the item "is not a ban, and this is also not a resolution. So there's no action being requested tonight," and staff sought feedback on the draft approach. The draft would amend Title 5 of the municipal code (the section governing police chief permits) to include more detailed operational security requirements for any business that sells firearms or ammunition.
Why it matters: staff said the changes are intended to reduce theft and improve public safety where retail sales occur. Security measures proposed include safes or locked displays, physical deterrents such as bollards to prevent vehicle ramming, alarm and video monitoring systems, and annual license inspections by the police chief instead of a one‑time permit.
What staff proposed: - Geographic limits: staff recommended limiting new sales to the southwest portion of Seaside (primarily Fremont Street parcels) and prohibiting sales east of Noche Buena and north of San Pablo, which staff said would better position regulated stores closer to the police station and away from park and neighborhood pockets. - Zoning: sales would be allowed only in certain commercial zoning districts (Community Commercial, Community Regional General, Heavy Commercial) and would require a discretionary use permit that includes public notice and the possibility of Planning Commission hearings. - Security and operational rules: physical security measures, secure display and storage, alarm/video monitoring, and an annual licensing/inspection regime to keep sites compliant. - Buffers and sensitive uses: staff suggested smaller buffers around parks and day‑care uses (100–200 feet) but council members requested that staff prepare maps comparing 100‑, 500‑ and 1,000‑foot setbacks so the council could select a preferred distance.
Council reaction and direction Several council members urged staff to return with maps showing multiple buffer options. Council member Garcia Gonzales (as recorded) specifically asked staff to prepare maps that show the effect of 100, 500 and 1,000 foot setbacks; staff agreed to present those options. Council member Mone asked whether approvals could be elevated to the Planning Commission or the City Council rather than handled administratively; staff replied that the draft could be set to require Planning Commission review or, if council prefers, even council review for discretion.
No votes were taken on the ordinance draft on June 5. Staff said the item is scheduled for review by the Public Safety Committee (June 18) and Planning Commission (June 25), with a council return planned in July for a formal draft for consideration.
Ending: Staff emphasized this is a regulatory, not prohibitory, approach focused on limiting locations, strengthening security, and adding annual oversight by the police chief; council asked for clearer maps and buffer options before moving to a formal draft.
