June 25, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Malibu Moves to Ease Business Burden After Wildfire and Pacific Coast Highway Closure

City Pauses Minimum Wage Hike, to Review Event Rules to Aid Local Businesses

To alleviate economic strain on local businesses still reeling from wildfire damage and extended Pacific Coast Highway closures, the Malibu City Council has approved a temporary halt to a scheduled minimum wage increase and is exploring new event permit regulations.

During its May 21 meeting, the Council introduced Ordinance No. 525, officially voting on May 27 to pause the city’s minimum wage adjustment originally slated for July 1, 2025. Officials said the move is intended to ease financial burdens on small businesses struggling to recover.

Under the ordinance, the next wage adjustment, set for July 1, 2026, will be based solely on the 2025 Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. Previous inflation metrics will not be factored in. The ordinance does not override state or federal wage laws, and employers are still permitted to offer wages above the local minimum if desired.

Also on May 21, the Council reviewed Resolution No. 25-23, a proposal aimed at loosening restrictions on local business events and signage during Malibu’s peak summer season. The existing permitting structure requires a 35-day advance application for all events, regardless of size, and limits businesses to six events per year.

The new proposal would introduce a three-tiered permitting system, subject to further Planning Commission review:

  • Small Events (up to 99 attendees): Require only a planning clearance submitted at least three days before the event. No public notice would be required, and there would be no limit on the number of such events, though permits would still be necessary.
  • Medium Events (100–250 attendees): Would require a permit application seven days in advance, and notification to properties within a 500-foot radius at least five days prior. A cap of 20 events per year would apply.
  • Large Events (251+ attendees): Would remain subject to current regulations, including a 32-day notice period and a maximum of six events per year.

To expedite the process, the Council directed city staff to bypass the Zoning Ordinance Revisions and Code Enforcement Subcommittee. Instead, the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed changes at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, June 2. The agenda will be posted at MalibuCity.org/AgendaCenter.

The City of Malibu is also continuing its Business Micro Stabilization Grant Program, which offers financial assistance to independently owned local businesses impacted by recent disasters. Grants of up to $20,000 are available, and the application window remains open through Saturday, May 31.

Eligible businesses can apply online at MalibuRebuilds.org/BusinessGrants or submit paper applications in person at City Hall, located at 23825 Stuart Ranch Road.

<>Related Posts

(Video) Food Fight: Chefs Join Forces to Raise Money to Protect Immigrant Families in Venice

June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

Estrano, Little Dynamite, Sunday Gravy, Kabob Senpai Answer the Call From Turk’s Pizza Party. Dave Turkel Put This Food Resistance...

(Video) This is Downtown Palisades Six Months After the Devastating Wildfires

June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

With Only a Few Businesses Remaining and Reopened, The Once-Idyllic District is Still Mostly Charred Remains With Only a Few...

Former Ontrak CEO Sentenced to Prison in $12.5M Insider Trading Scheme

June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

CEO Receives Federal Prison Sentence for Misusing Stock Trading Plans Terren Scott Peizer, the former CEO and board chairman of...

Planning Commission Approves 18-Story Residential Tower on 6th Street, Rejects Environmental Appeal

June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

The 194-foot-tall building exceeds local height limits by 109 feet under California’s Density Bonus Law The Santa Monica Planning Commission...

Shooting at Waymo Car Injures Two Juveniles in Santa Monica

June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

Preliminary findings suggest the shooting was a targeted, isolated incident stemming from a verbal altercation earlier that evening between the...

Sculptor-Designed Marina Del Rey Beach Home Hits Market for Nearly $10M

June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

The four-bedroom, six-bathroom residence, known as Shore House, features black glass windows across two wings A 6,603-square-foot beachfront home, designed...

Downtown Santa Monica Landmark Faces Uncertainty as Loan Misses Maturity Deadline

June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

$26.7M Santa Monica Office Loan Moves to Special Servicing Amid Cash Flow Shortfall Morningstar Credit reported that the loan tied...

Santa Monica to Begin AI-Powered Bus Lane Enforcement in July

June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

The program follows a 45-day pilot conducted earlier this year along Lincoln Boulevard, where 511 potential violations were identified, though...

A.O.C. Brentwood to Close After 16 Years on San Vicente Boulevard

June 22, 2025

June 22, 2025

Chef Goin and Styne Cite Unsustainably High Rent in Decision to Close  A.O.C. Brentwood, the acclaimed Westside outpost from James...

Malibu Traffic Delays Expected: REPORT

June 21, 2025

June 21, 2025

The warning applies to the first weekend of summer Transportation officials are warning travelers on the Pacific Coast Highway through...

Strongman to Pull 34,680-Pound Bus at Santa Monica Pier

June 21, 2025

June 21, 2025

Licis, also the 2022 “Arnold Strongman Classic” champion, will undertake the feat to showcase his strength  Strongman Martins Licis, the...

All Aboard to LAX: Metro Opens Game-Changing Transit Hub Ahead of Global Events

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

 New LAX/Metro Transit Center Comes Closer to Connecting Metro Directly to LAX The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro)...

New Leadership at Samohi: Jane Han Named House Principal

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

Equity-Focused Educator Joins Samohi Leadership Team By Diana Bouchaaya, SMMUSD Communications Specialist The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) Board...

Food Fight on the Venice Boardwalk: Chefs Stand Up for Immigrants with Food

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

Turk’s Pizza Party Rallies Top Local Eateries for an Immigrant Rights Fundraiser In a bold display of culinary activism, Turk’s...

Weekend Lane Closures on PCH in Malibu Could Snarl Summer Beach Traffic

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

Army Corps Work Triggers Weekend Closure on Pacific Coast Highway Motorists traveling along Pacific Coast Highway this weekend should prepare...