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Hermosa Beach council introduces changes to home-occupation rules, Keegan votes no
Summary
The council voted to introduce an ordinance updating home-occupation rules citywide, removing a physical-inspection requirement and keeping a 25% floor-area cap. Council debate centered on whether to allow one employee and vehicle signage; the ordinance was introduced by title with Councilmember Keegan opposed.
Hermosa Beach councilors on Jan. 13 introduced by title an ordinance to amend the city’s home-occupation regulations (17.08.0.02), aiming to streamline permitting and align review authority with the community development director.
City staff said the updates remove a required physical inspection and clarify which duties are assigned to the Community Development Department. Leo Zion of the city manager’s office said the changes “bring clarity and consistency while continuing upholding our neighborhood compatibility and safety.” The planning commission reviewed the changes and recommended approval on Dec. 16, 2025.
Council debate focused on three operational points: whether small home businesses should be allowed one employee, whether vehicle signage should be permitted, and how to measure allowed workspace. Council member Keegan urged permitting “1 employee” for small home businesses and questioned a ban on incidental signage on vehicles. Opponents said permitting employees or vehicle signage risks turning residential areas commercial and raises enforcement and parking concerns.
Council accepted staff’s recommendation to introduce the ordinance by title only; the record shows that the motion carried with Council member Keegan voting no. The introduction does not adopt the ordinance — the matter will return for further reading and formal adoption, after which staff will update application materials and implementation procedures.
What’s next: The item was introduced tonight; staff will prepare the ordinance for a subsequent reading and formal adoption. If council makes substantive changes, staff said the proposal would return to the planning commission for review.
Speakers listed in this article may be quoted directly from the public record and appear in the city transcript.
