Zbur, Coastal Commission Reach Breakthrough Agreement on Santa Monica Coastal Permitting

AB 1740 Reflects Stakeholder Collaboration to Advance Local Coastal Planning and Access

SACRAMENTO, CA - Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Santa Monica) announced today that AB 1740, sponsored by the City of Santa Monica and Streets for All, has produced a breakthrough agreement between the City of Santa Monica and the California Coastal Commission, creating a clear path toward a certified Local Coastal Program (LCP) that will allow local projects to efficiently move through the permitting process while preserving California's strong coastal protections.

When AB 1740 was introduced earlier this year, it proposed targeted exemptions from Coastal Development Permit (CDP) requirements for projects in urban, transit-rich communities. The legislation was designed to address longstanding permitting delays that have slowed investment, mobility improvements, and economic activity in places like Santa Monica. Following an extensive, collaborative process involving Assemblymember Zbur and his staff, representatives from the California Coastal Commission, the City of Santa Monica, and environmental, housing, and mobility advocates, the parties reached an agreement that puts Santa Monica on a path to a certified Local Coastal Program.

Once completed, a Local Coastal Program allows most CDPs to be processed by a city rather than requiring separate Coastal Commission approval, creating a more predictable and locally controlled process while maintaining the Commission's traditional mechanisms for oversight of the coastal zone. As a result of this agreement to quickly move forward with an LCP, Assemblymember Zbur has amended AB 1740 to replace the original permitting exemptions with clear timelines, accountability measures, and reporting requirements designed to ensure the LCP for Santa Monica is completed and implemented.

In addition to part of the bill specific to the Santa Monica LCP, the revised bill also establishes a statewide, streamlined process for approving bike, pedestrian, and transit improvements that enhance public access to and within the coastal zone. The bill also requires the Coastal Commission to collect and report data on approvals, denials, and pending applications for the new expedited process. That transparency will give the public and the Legislature the information needed to evaluate whether good bike, transit, and pedestrian projects are being approved under the new framework.

Assemblymember Zbur is pleased to announce that, as a result of this collaborative resolution, the California Coastal Commission has removed its opposition to AB 1740 and will consider a support position at its July meeting.

"AB 1740 started an important conversation about how we protect California's coastline while ensuring our coastal communities can thrive," said Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur. "I'm proud that what began as a proposal to address permitting challenges evolved into a collaborative agreement that preserves California's gold-standard coastal protections while creating a clear path for Santa Monica to regain local permitting authority, and for communities in the coastal zone to be able to add bike, pedestrian, and transit infrastructure. That means a more predictable process for the kinds of projects that make places like the Third Street Promenade vibrant-from outdoor dining and mobility improvements to public spaces and local business investments. I'm grateful to the Coastal Commission, the City of Santa Monica, Streets For All, and the many stakeholders who came to the table in good faith. This agreement demonstrates that ambitious legislation can create the momentum needed to solve problems that have gone unresolved for years."

"This agreement is a real win for Santa Monica. After months of good-faith work with the Coastal Commission, we have a clear and accountable path to a certified Local Coastal Program, one that lets our community make more of its own permitting decisions while keeping California's strong coastal protections and public access fully intact," said Santa Monica Mayor Caroline Torosis. "That means a more predictable process for the housing, mobility, and public space investments our residents are counting on. As we are welcoming the world to our shores for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Superbowl and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, this is exactly the kind of progress that will serve both our residents and the millions who visit us each year. I'm grateful to Assemblymember Zbur, the Coastal Commission, Streets For All, and everyone who came to the table to solve a problem that has slowed our city for too long."

"The California coast is one of the most beautiful places on Earth, and it's critical that we preserve its beauty and ensure coastal access," said Michael Schneider, CEO, Streets For All. "At the same time, it's become far too costly and difficult for urbanized areas in the coastal zone to add multimodal infrastructure, such as bike lanes, bus lanes, and even sidewalks. I'm grateful to Assemblymember Zbur for leading on this issue, and paving the way for easy approvals for all coastal communities who wish to enhance access to the coast by making it easier to arrive outside of a car."

"A certified Local Coastal Program will enable the Santa Monica community to chart a clear path for achieving local priorities while also advancing California's world-renowned public access, resource protection, and climate adaptation policies," said Sarah Christie, Legislative Director for the California Coastal Commission. "The Commission looks forward to working with the city and the public to bring the LCP across the finish line."

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Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur serves as the Democratic Caucus Chair for the California State Assembly and represents the 51st Assembly District, which includes Universal City, Hollywood, Hancock Park, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Westwood, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and other portions of Los Angeles.

CONTACT: Vienna Montague, (916) 319-2051, [email protected]