Politics & Government

Permit and Fee Charges Could Be the Future for Fitness Classes at Santa Monica Parks and Beaches

The City Council will hold its first reading of an ordinance that could amend the municipal code.

Fees and permits for outdoor fitness instructors is something the city council will discuss tonight when it holds its first reading of an ordinance that would amend the municipal code and start charging for those who teach private fitness  classes in the city’s parks and beaches.

The proposed fee resolution establishes permit fees of $100 - $150 annually, and use charges of 10 – 15 percent of gross receipts. If the ordinance is adopted it would create a new General Fund revenue source of approximately $63,000 annually.

The move comes on the heels of the council’s meeting back on April 23, when staff proposed a  regulatory and permit system that would require commercial fitness instructors to obtain insurance, indemnification, comply with existing business license and police permit rules, pay an annual permit fee of $100, and pay a use charge of 15 percent of gross receipts payable each quarter.  

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At that meeting, staff also recommended parks that would be appropriate for commercial fitness instruction, outlined new rules addressing protection of park amenities, and recommended particular requirements that would apply to Palisades Park.  

City Staff is recommending that the new regulatory and permit system be structured initially with a one year pilot period, followed by report based on feedback from residents and instructors.

Find out what's happening in Santa Monicawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 


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