Ordinance amendments for community events

2026040844

City of Santa Monica

NOE - Notice of Exemption

4/17/2026

4/17/2026

Rachel Kwok

City of Santa Monica

Environmental Planner

Lead/Public Agency

1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401

(310) 458-2201 ext. 2039

rachel.kwok@santamonica.gov

City of Santa Monica

Categorical Exemption

Sections 15301, 15311, 15323

The Ordinance amendments are categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15301 (Class 1 – Existing Facilities), Section 15311 (Class 11 – Accessory Structures), Section 15332 (Normal Operations of Existing Facilities for Public Gathering) and Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines. The amendments to allow drone shows, amend street performer operational regulations, and to waive community permit requirements through license or agreement are administrative in nature and would facilitate special event operations at the City’s existing public facilities and open space, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency's determination. Therefore, the amendments are exempt pursuant to Section 15301. Additionally, amendments to allow for signage flexibility for temporary signs are exempt pursuant to Section 15311 of CEQA which exempts accessory structures including signage. These amendments for special events at City facilities are also categorically exempt pursuant to Section 15323 of CEQA Guidelines, which exempts normal operations of existing facilities for public gatherings for which the facilities were designed, where there is a past history of the facility being used for the same or similar kind of purpose. None of the exceptions specified in Section 15300.2 of CEQA Guidelines would apply that would preclude the use of these CEQA exemptions. These amendments, including the provision to waive noise standards during the event period, would not have a significant effect on the environment due to unusual circumstances. While it is anticipated that large events could potentially generate noise above existing standards, noise associated with special events are common and not considered unusual in a popular coastal city frequented by tourists such as Santa Monica. It is anticipated that the Goldenvoice event would be the largest major special event in the City, and as such would generate the highest noise levels. However, the increase in noise as a result of special events would be temporary for two days and generally, noise levels above standards would occur only during nighttime events. Noise effects from special events were considered and included in the environmental analysis of the City’s certified General Plan Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE) EIR (certified July 2010). Specifically, noise impacts were addressed on pages 4.9-46 and 4.9-51. Additionally, with regard to lighting effects, festival lighting such as stage lighting, performance lighting, art installations, tent and temporary structure lighting, and illuminated signage would generally be directed to interior to the event site. Most lighting would conclude at the end of musical performances and would only be for duration of the event. Furthermore, for special events occurring on the Pier or at the beach, special event lighting would be consistent with other nearby notable light sources such as the Ferris Wheel lighting, Pier Sign, and Pacific Park. Lastly, special event lighting would adhere to all applicable regulations and operating standards and would not result in a permanent substantial increase in light/glare levels in the area.

Other

15061(b)(3)

The Ordinance amendments are categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15301 (Class 1 – Existing Facilities), Section 15311 (Class 11 – Accessory Structures), Section 15332 (Normal Operations of Existing Facilities for Public Gathering) and Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines. The amendments to allow drone shows, amend street performer operational regulations, and to waive community permit requirements through license or agreement are administrative in nature and would facilitate special event operations at the City’s existing public facilities and open space, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency's determination. Therefore, the amendments are exempt pursuant to Section 15301. Additionally, amendments to allow for signage flexibility for temporary signs are exempt pursuant to Section 15311 of CEQA which exempts accessory structures including signage. These amendments for special events at City facilities are also categorically exempt pursuant to Section 15323 of CEQA Guidelines, which exempts normal operations of existing facilities for public gatherings for which the facilities were designed, where there is a past history of the facility being used for the same or similar kind of purpose. None of the exceptions specified in Section 15300.2 of CEQA Guidelines would apply that would preclude the use of these CEQA exemptions. These amendments, including the provision to waive noise standards during the event period, would not have a significant effect on the environment due to unusual circumstances. While it is anticipated that large events could potentially generate noise above existing standards, noise associated with special events are common and not considered unusual in a popular coastal city frequented by tourists such as Santa Monica. It is anticipated that the Goldenvoice event would be the largest major special event in the City, and as such would generate the highest noise levels. However, the increase in noise as a result of special events would be temporary for two days and generally, noise levels above standards would occur only during nighttime events. Noise effects from special events were considered and included in the environmental analysis of the City’s certified General Plan Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE) EIR (certified July 2010). Specifically, noise impacts were addressed on pages 4.9-46 and 4.9-51. Additionally, with regard to lighting effects, festival lighting such as stage lighting, performance lighting, art installations, tent and temporary structure lighting, and illuminated signage would generally be directed to interior to the event site. Most lighting would conclude at the end of musical performances and would only be for duration of the event. Furthermore, for special events occurring on the Pier or at the beach, special event lighting would be consistent with other nearby notable light sources such as the Ferris Wheel lighting, Pier Sign, and Pacific Park. Lastly, special event lighting would adhere to all applicable regulations and operating standards and would not result in a permanent substantial increase in light/glare levels in the area.