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San Clemente council approves limited pilot allowing dogs on a stretch of beach
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Summary
The San Clemente City Council approved a time‑limited pilot to allow dogs on a defined stretch near South T Street (Tower 9) with limited hours, leash and licensing rules, mandatory pickup and signage. The six‑month trial will start after any required Coastal Commission review; council passed the action unanimously.
The San Clemente City Council voted unanimously Aug. 19 to approve a six‑month pilot program that will permit dogs on a defined section of the city’s beaches under specified conditions.
Staff described a Parks and Recreation Commission recommendation for two possible locations and operating rules; the council accepted a friendly amendment to locate the pilot near South T Street (roughly the restroom area down to Tower 9) and to limit hours to early morning and evening. The approved parameters require dogs to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet, to be licensed, and for owners to pick up waste; the pilot will include signage and a sunset clause. The council specified mornings (6–8 a.m.) and evenings (after 6 p.m.) as allowed times and excluded high‑use weekend periods during the pilot.
Supporters argued a controlled pilot meets the needs of local dog owners who already use beaches early in the day; opponents said designated dog areas would harm water quality, family use and the reputation of key visitor beaches. Amanda Quintanilla, who reviewed regional water‑quality studies during public comment, warned that earlier tests found canine contributions to bacterial indicators and urged caution. “North Beach is not going to be—we already have problems with the drain there,” she said.
City Attorney and staff told the council that Coastal Commission involvement and CEQA review may be required because San Clemente does not yet have a certified Local Coastal Program; the motion directs staff to return with any required permitting steps and to implement signage and enforcement plans. Council members also instructed staff to ensure the pilot includes monitoring and a sunset so the program can be adjusted or ended before a summer season if results are negative.
The council framed the pilot as a time‑limited experiment that aims to reduce unsafe or illegal early‑morning activity and give residents a controlled access option; it does not create a permanent change until the council takes further action after evaluation and any required regulatory approvals.
