Officials passed a second law this week requiring youth groups on the beach to apply for permits from City Hall. The groups can obtain the permits free of charge this summer, though a fee may be instituted next year, officials said.
Neighboring cities require the permit, and local lifeguards asked City Hall to do the same after groups started converging on Santa Monica when space elsewhere was scant.
The new law requires the groups to fill out an application for a “beach/water activity” permit, indicating which tower they would like to be situated next to, along with the dates requested and a page of rules and regulations the groups must follow.
Despite the new laws — and numerous existing ones — the majority of beach goers abide by the rules and enjoy Santa Monica beaches without trouble.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 11, 2004. Read the original PDF.