{"id":241,"date":"2026-05-20T19:03:01","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T19:03:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sanfranciscomovingguide.com\/?p=241"},"modified":"2026-05-20T19:03:01","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T19:03:01","slug":"wealthy-orange-county-city-plans-500-fines-for-shade-structures-at-beach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sanfranciscomovingguide.com\/?p=241","title":{"rendered":"Wealthy Orange County city plans $500 fines for shade structures at beach"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Beachgoers planning to spend time in Laguna Beach this summer are likely better off leaving most of their shade structures at home.<\/p>

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On April 28, the Laguna Beach City Council voted in favor of an ordinance that bans shade coverings other than standard beach umbrellas on nearly all of the city\u2019s beaches. The ordinance, which passed unanimously, would affect about 95% of the city\u2019s beach areas and is set to take effect on May 26.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

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Laguna Beach\u2019s new ruling attempts to mitigate what some say are safety concerns from lifeguards who need a clear line of sight to the ocean. Many residents of the small, wealthy coastal town (where the median home value is\u00a0north of $2 million) were also in favor of the ordinance as a way to address large summer crowds.<\/p><\/div>

\u201cMost of us here grew up sitting underneath umbrellas. You know, we didn\u2019t bring giant shade structures down,\u201d Councilmember Sue Kempf said during an earlier April 14 meeting discussing the ordinance. \u201c\u2026 It doesn\u2019t sound great, but when people bring big shade structures, they also bring a lot of stuff. And part of the problem with all the trash on the beach is people are bringing a lot of stuff. And then we as a city have to get rid of them.\u201d<\/p><\/div>

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Since January, the city council had considered a full ban on the structures. But Marine Safety Chief Kai Bond recommended a compromise that would allow canopies and other beach coverings up to 8 by 8 feet to be set up in specific zones on Main Beach and\u00a0Aliso Beach, behind lifeguard towers at least 20 feet away from emergency access paths and at least 5 feet apart from other canopies and beach coverings.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

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During the April 28 meeting, some residents expressed further concern about the city\u2019s non-beach parks.<\/p><\/div>

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