LA County Seeks Altadenans’ Input on Ordinance to Streamline Town’s Restaurant Alcohol Sales

Los Angeles County Regional Planning is developing an ordinance that could streamline the process for Altadena restaurants and other eating establishments to sell alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption, and an online survey is open for public input ahead of discussion about the ordinance at the upcoming Altadena Town Council Land Use Committee’s regularly scheduled Sept. 1 meeting.

The proposed regulation responds to a Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors motion to support small-business recovery in Altadena by lowering costs and expediting approval of on-site alcoholic beverage sales at restaurants, while maintaining operational standards for responsible operations and neighborhood protection, according to a county fact sheet.

Under the proposal, eligible businesses could apply through a ministerial site plan review to offer alcoholic beverage sales for on-site consumption as part of their food service operations, as long as they meet the ordinance requirements and required operational standards. The ministerial review would take the place of a conditional use permit application process, which includes a public hearing.

Businesses would still need to meet other Los Angeles County requirements, obtain the required California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) license and operate in compliance with the ordinance.

The proposed ordinance would apply to restaurants and eating establishments that:

• Either already have or would require a Type 41 On-Sale Beer and Wine – Eating Place or Type 47 On-Sale General – Eating Place license from ABC;
• Are within the boundaries of the Altadena Community Standards District;
• Are not on a residentially zoned parcel; and
• Do not have an active zoning enforcement case.

Application fees for the ministerial site plan review are established by the county’s adopted fee schedule. The draft ordinance requires two $470 inspections to confirm compliance with the performance standards, in addition to the application fee of $1,995. The fee amounts are current, and fees are subject to change on March 1, 2027, according to the fact sheet.

The Land Use Committee is a standing advisory committee that reviews zoning, development, property, code and related real-estate issues affecting Altadena, then makes recommendations to the full Town Council. It does not make final land-use decisions. Altadena is unincorporated, and final authority rests with Los Angeles County.

Input may be submitted through the survey now by clicking here.

Community feedback will help ensure that the process supports Altadena’s recovery while reflecting local needs and priorities, according to the fact sheet.

The committee’s regular schedule is 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month, generally at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive. Questions may be directed to 213-974-6425 or commplan@planning.lacounty.gov.

Regional Planning is initiating outreach efforts with the goal of presenting the ordinance to the Regional Planning Commission in December 2026 and the Board of Supervisors in early 2027, according to the fact sheet.