Malibu council lets Pacific Coast Highway local emergency lapse; council says renewal remains an option

Malibu City Council voted on Jan. 12 to take no further action on a standing local emergency concerning conditions on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), allowing the declaration to lapse on Jan. 23, 2026.

Council discussion focused on what recurring renewals of the emergency actually authorize. A councilmember asked whether an ongoing declaration confers meaningful additional powers for projects and spending; staff responded that the declaration gives the city ‘‘certain additional powers’’ and that any state of emergency must be reviewed and renewed or terminated every 60 days. Councilmembers noted recent rain and cited staff data on live fuel moisture and rainfall as part of the calculus.

Some councilmembers urged caution and asked that the city keep the emergency in place at least through February to preserve any extra authorities; others said the council had met the written criteria for termination and preferred allowing the declaration to expire. The council ultimately approved a motion ‘‘to take no action on this item with the council’s understanding that the state of emergency will lapse on January 23,’’ as read by the city attorney. The motion passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

City staff said the declaration does not change the statutory requirements for development projects on PCH, and that emergency status is intended primarily to provide limited additional spending and administrative authorities for urgent responses. The council and staff also discussed continuing coordination with Caltrans on PCH safety improvements and projects such as the signal synchronization and planned roundabout work.

The lapse does not prevent the council from reauthorizing a local emergency at a future meeting if conditions change or new evidence supports a renewal.