Overview
The proposed Streamlined Alcoholic Beverage Sales Ordinance would allow eligible restaurants and eating establishments in Altadena to apply for on-site alcoholic beverage sales through a Ministerial Site Plan Review application instead of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application.
The Ordinance is intended to support small business recovery in Altadena by reducing permitting costs and review time, while requiring standards for responsible operations and neighborhood protection. This effort is similar to programs initiated in other cities such as Los Angeles’ Restaurant Beverage Program (RPB), Pasadena’s Administrative CUP for Alcohol Sales, and Santa Monica’s Alcohol Exemption (AE).
Eligible restaurants and eating establishments[1] would still need to meet all applicable County requirements, obtain the required California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) license, and comply with the Ordinance.
Eligibility
The proposed Ordinance would apply to eligible restaurants and eating establishments that:
- Are located within the Altadena Community Standards District (CSD),
- Are not located on a residentially-zoned parcel,
- Do not have an active zoning enforcement case, and
- Either already have or would receive a Type 41 or Type 47 eating place license from the ABC.
Final eligibility requirements will be established through the Ordinance.
Operational Standards
Eligible businesses would be required to follow operational standards intended to support responsible alcohol service and reduce potential neighborhood impacts.
The standards are expected to:
- Require provision of Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) training
- Require provision of a Designated Driver Program for patrons
- Prohibit bar-like or nightlife activities
- Prohibit loitering around the restaurant
- Require adequate lighting, visible address signage, and monitoring of the premises
- Control litter, remove graffiti, and maintain overall appearance of the property
Project Area
The proposed Ordinance would apply only within the boundaries of the Altadena Community Standards District (CSD).
Fees and Cost
LA County Planning application and inspection fees are established by the County’s adopted fee schedule.[2] The current cost for a Ministerial Site Plan Review (SPR) application is $1,995. Interested businesses would be required to pay the SPR application fee and the cost of two (2) inspections to confirm compliance with the performance standards. Each inspection currently costs $470 and the business would deposit the inspection fees into a performance fund.
If a business stops alcoholic beverage sales for at least three consecutive months, a new approval would be required before alcoholic beverage sales could resume.
Compliance
LA County Planning may initiate its zoning enforcement process if a restaurant or eating establishment does not comply with the required standards. To learn more about the zoning enforcement process, please visit our enforcement webpage at planning.lacounty.gov/enforcement. Complaints may be submitted to ABC on their website abc.ca.gov/contact/file-complaint. For more information about ABC’s requirements, please visit abc.ca.gov.
The proposed Ordinance also includes a process to revoke the ministerial SPR approval if a business continues to operate out of compliance. If an approval is revoked, the business would need to apply for a CUP to authorize future alcoholic beverage sales on the premises.
Project Timeline
LA County Planning is initiating outreach in summer 2026.
Anticipated timeline:
- Spring-Summer 2026: Draft Ordinance development
- Summer 2026: Community outreach and survey
- Late 2026: Regional Planning Commission (RPC) consideration
- Early 2027: Board of Supervisors consideration
We Want Your Input
LA County Planning wants to hear from Altadena restaurant and business owners and residents who may be interested in or affected by the proposed Ordinance. Community feedback will help ensure that the process supports business recovery in Altadena while reflecting local needs and priorities.
Click here or scan the QR code below to take the public survey.
LA County Planning
Community Studies East Section
(213) 974-6425
commplan@planning.lacounty.gov
[1] “Bona fide public eating place” means a place which is regularly and in a bona fide manner used and kept open for the serving of meals to guests for compensation and which has suitable kitchen facilities connected therewith, containing conveniences for cooking and an assortment of foods which may be required for ordinary meals, the kitchen of which must be kept in a sanitary condition with the proper amount of refrigeration for keeping of food on said premises and must comply with all the regulations of the local department of health.
[2] Fee dollar amounts are current. Fees are subject to change on March 1, 2027 due to API increases.