The city council finds and declares:
A. 
Numerous establishments including bars and restaurants in San Bruno sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption;
B. 
Such establishments have long been the source of significant nuisance activities including assaults, threats, disturbances, narcotic violations, public urination, fights, and Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) violations;
C. 
As a result, the city has been compelled to expend undue public resources responding to service calls relating to such establishments;
D. 
That such activities injure the public, health, safety and welfare; and
E. 
That such activities are the source of public nuisances in the community.
(Ord. 1686 § 1, 2003; Ord. 1881 § 3, 2020)
The general purpose of this chapter is to establish a standard of conduct that legal nonconforming or deemed approved establishments shall meet in order to protect and promote the public health, safety, comfort, convenience, prosperity, and general welfare and in order to achieve the following objectives:
A. 
To define as a public nuisance and violations noncompliance with performance standards as established herein;
B. 
To develop regulations that promote properly maintained establishments engaging in alcoholic beverage commercial sales so that negative impacts generated by these establishments and/or activities are not harmful to the surrounding community and/or environment in any way;
C. 
To facilitate the establishment of enforcement procedures and nuisance abatement procedures for the correction or abatement nuisances by responsible persons.
(Ord. 1686 § 1, 2003; Ord. 1881 § 3, 2020)
A. 
To Which Property Applicable. This chapter shall apply, to the extent permissible under other laws, to all legal nonconforming alcoholic beverage sale commercial activities within the city of San Bruno.
B. 
Duplicated Regulation. Whenever any provision of this chapter and any other provision of law, whether set forth in this code, or in any other law, ordinance, or resolution of any kind, imposes overlapping or contradictory regulations, or contain restrictions covering any of the same subject matter, that provision which is more restrictive or imposes higher standards shall control, except as otherwise expressly provided herein.
C. 
Relationship to the zoning regulations. This chapter relates to, including, but not limited to, the following provisions of the San Bruno Municipal Code: Sections 12.80.193 (Drinking place), 12.80.408 (Restaurant with alcoholic beverage sales), and 12.84.210 (Drinking places, and land uses with alcoholic beverage sales).
(Ord. 1686 § 1, 2003; Ord. 1881 § 3, 2020)
As used in this chapter:
"Abatement condition"
means a requirement that must be carried out by the activity in order to retain its deemed approved status.
"Alcoholic beverage"
means alcohol, spirits, liquor, wine, beer, and every liquid or solid containing alcohol, spirits, wine, or beer, which contains one-half of one percent or more of alcohol by volume and which is fit for beverage purposes either alone or when diluted, mixed, or combined with other substances, and sales of which requires a State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control license.
"Alcoholic beverage commercial sales activity"
means the retail sale, for on-premises consumption, of liquor, beer, wine, or other alcoholic beverages, excluding stores and liquor stores, private clubs or lodges, and special public or private events.
"Deemed approved activity."
All alcoholic beverage sales commercial activities in existence immediately prior to December 17, 2003, the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, were deemed approved activities at that time and shall maintain a deemed approved status provided there is compliance with the performance standards contained in this chapter.
"Deemed approved status"
means the status conferred upon a deemed approved activity. Deemed approved status replaces legal nonconforming status.
"Illegal activity"
means an activity that has been determined to be in noncompliance with the deemed approved performance standards of this chapter. Such an activity shall lose its deemed approved status and shall no longer be considered a deemed approved activity.
"Legal nonconforming alcoholic beverage sales commercial activity" or "legal nonconforming activity"
means an alcoholic beverage sales commercial activity which was a nonconforming use under the San Bruno Municipal Code, and for which a valid state of California Alcoholic Beverage Control license had been issued and used in the exercise of the rights and privileges conferred by the license, at a time immediately prior to the effective date of the deemed approved alcoholic beverage sale regulations. Such an activity shall be considered a deemed approved activity, and shall no longer be considered a legal nonconforming activity, except such activity shall be subject to those zoning regulations relating to nonconforming uses as specified in the San Bruno Municipal Codes, including, but not limited to, Chapter 12.92.
"Performance standards"
means the standards of conduct regulations prescribed in the performance standards in this chapter.
"Premises"
means the actual space within a building devoted to alcoholic beverage sales.
"Responsible person"
means any person, whether as a manager, alcohol license owner, an owner or proprietor of an establishment where there is alcoholic beverage sales activity occurring, or otherwise, that allows, causes, creates, maintains, or permits noncompliance with the performance standards established by this chapter, a public nuisance, or any violation of the San Bruno Municipal Code or state law, to exist or continue, by any act or the omission of any act or duty.
(Ord. 1686 § 1, 2003; Ord. 1881 § 3, 2020)
A deemed approved activity shall retain its deemed approved status only if it conforms to all of the following performance standards:
A. 
That it does not result in jeopardizing or endangering or resulting in adverse effects to the health, peace or safety of persons residing or working in the surrounding area;
B. 
That it does not result in repeated nuisance activities or nuisance conditions, including, but not limited to, police interventions within the premises or in close proximity of the premises, including but not limited to criminal activities, disturbance of the peace, illegal drug activity, public drunkenness, drinking in public, harassment of passersby, illegal gambling, prostitution, sale of stolen goods, public urination, theft, assaults, batteries, acts of vandalism, excessive littering, loitering, graffiti, illegal parking, excessive loud noises, especially in the late night or early morning hours, traffic violations, curfew violations, lewd conduct, or police detentions and arrests;
C. 
That it does not result in violations to any applicable provision of any other city, state, or federal regulation, ordinance or statute;
D. 
That its upkeep and operating characteristics are compatible with and will not adversely affect the livability or appropriate development of abutting properties and the surrounding neighborhood.
(Ord. 1686 § 1, 2003; Ord. 1881 § 3, 2020)
All alcoholic beverage sales commercial activities in existence immediately prior to December 17, 2003, the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, were deemed approved activities at that time and shall maintain a deemed approved status provided there is compliance with the performance standards contained in this chapter.
(Ord. 1686 § 1, 2003; Ord. 1881 § 3, 2020)
A. 
Notification. The city manager or designee shall notify the owner of each deemed approved activity, and also the property owner if not the same, of the activity's deemed approved status.
B. 
Post Standards. The notice shall include a copy of the performance standards of this chapter with the requirement that these be posted in a conspicuous and unobstructed place visible from the entrance of the establishment for public review, notification that the activity is required to comply with all these same performance standards, that a review fee is required in an amount provided for in the master fee schedule, and that the activity is required to comply with all other aspects of the deemed approved alcoholic beverage sale regulations.
C. 
Notice Method. Such notice shall be sent via certified mail. Should the notice be returned, then the notice shall be sent via regular first class mail.
(Ord. 1686 § 1, 2003; Ord. 1881 § 3, 2020)
The provisions of Sections 5.22.081 through 5.22.130 outline the process by which deemed approved activities are reviewed.
(Ord. 1686 § 1, 2003; Ord. 1881 § 3, 2020)
The city manager or designee shall receive complaints from the public, the police department or any other interested party regarding noncompliance with the performance standards articulated in this chapter. A complaint must include:
A. 
Specific identification of the subject establishment by address and name;
B. 
A statement of the specific performance standards that are not being complied with and all grounds and material facts in support;
C. 
A statement of the complainant's interest or relationship to the property;
D. 
A verification of at least one person as to the truth of material facts cited in the complaint.
The city manager or designee shall provide a responsible person with a copy of the complaint and request that the secretary to the planning commission schedule a hearing.
(Ord. 1686 § 1, 2003; Ord. 1881 § 3, 2020)
A. 
Hearing Date. As soon as practicable after receiving a complaint from the city manager, the secretary to the planning commission shall set a date for the planning commission to hear the matter, which date shall be not less than fifteen calendar days nor more than sixty calendar days from the date the city manager's request was received.
B. 
Notice—Service. The city clerk shall give each complainant and responsible party written notice of the date, time and place of the hearing at least ten calendar days prior to its occurrence. Service of the notice of hearing shall be made by first class mail, postage prepaid, to the complainant and responsible party. The failure of a person to receive a properly addressed notice of hearing shall not invalidate any action or proceeding by the city pursuant to this chapter.
C. 
Conduct of Hearing. The decision of the planning commission shall be based on information compiled and presented by staff, testimony from the responsible party, and all other interested parties and members of the public who wish to provide information.
The purpose of the hearing is to receive testimony as to whether the deemed approved activity conforms to the performance standards set forth in this chapter, to consider any other relevant information, and determine whether deemed approved status should be revoked or whether the planning commission should impose abatement conditions as may be necessary to ensure conformity to said standards.
The planning commission may continue the hearing on its own motion.
Formal rules of evidence do not apply. However, the planning commission's findings shall be made upon a preponderance of evidence and determinations shall be stated in a duly adopted resolution.
(Ord. 1686 § 1, 2003; Ord. 1881 § 3, 2020)
A. 
Decision. Within a reasonable time, not to exceed thirty calendar days following conclusion of the hearing, the planning commission shall render its decision and make any one or more of the following determinations:
1. 
Continue the deemed approved as is;
2. 
Require such changes or impose reasonable abatement conditions as may be reasonably necessary to ensure conformity to said standards; or
3. 
In the event of a violation of the performance standard set forth herein or upon evidence that there has been a failure to comply with any prescribed abatement condition, the planning commission may revoke the approved activity's approved status.
B. 
Notice. A copy of the planning commission's decision shall be served on the respondent by certified mail and by first class mail. Service of this decision is deemed complete at time of mailing. The failure of a person to receive a properly addressed decision shall not invalidate any action or proceeding by the city pursuant to this article.
The decision shall contain a notice of the following:
1. 
The planning commission's decision may be appealed to the city council.
2. 
City clerk must receive appeals within ten calendar days from date of service of the planning commission's decision.
3. 
A fee shall accompany each appeal in an amount as established by resolution of the city council.
4. 
Failure to file a timely appeal and/or to tender the required fee shall constitute a person's waiver of the right to an appeal hearing before the city council.
If the city clerk does not receive a timely appeal and the required fee, the decision of the planning commission shall be deemed final and non-appealable.
(Ord. 1686 § 1, 2003; Ord. 1881 § 3, 2020)
A. 
Any responsible person may appeal a planning commission's decision in writing to the city council. The appeal period shall be ten calendar days from date of service of the planning commission's decision, notwithstanding Section 1.32.030 of the San Bruno Municipal Code to the contrary. Any member of the city council may, within this appeal period, request a review of the planning commission's decision before the city council at a duly noticed meeting as per San Bruno Municipal Code Chapter 12.210. A fee as established by resolution of the city council shall accompany an appeal that is made by a responsible person.
B. 
The city clerk shall schedule an appeal hearing before the city council within fifteen calendar days of receipt of a timely appeal and this hearing shall occur within sixty calendar days of the city clerk's receipt of said appeal. The city clerk shall provide ten calendar days' advance written notice of the date, time and location of the hearing to the appealing person(s) by certified and first class mail. The failure of a person to receive a properly addressed notice of hearing shall not invalidate any claim or action or proceeding by the city pursuant to this chapter.
(Ord. 1686 § 1, 2003; Ord. 1881 § 3, 2020)
A. 
The city council shall conduct a de novo hearing at the time and place specified in the notice at which time any relevant evidence may be submitted by any interested persons and city officials. The hearing may be continued from time to time, as the city council deems necessary.
B. 
Where it appears that an appellant was served with a notice of hearing but fails to appear either in person or by counsel, or fails to present or offer evidence, the city council may adopt or approve the decision of the planning commission, or it may decide the matter upon the record established by the planning commission with or without taking any additional evidence. Any oral or documentary evidence may be received, but the mayor shall exclude irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious evidence. The formal rules of evidence do not apply. However, the city council's findings and determinations shall be stated in a duly adopted resolution and shall be made upon a preponderance of evidence.
C. 
If the approved status is revoked, the resolution shall also contain the following statements:
"At this time, deemed approved status is revoked. In the event of non-compliance with this determination, the city may seek any or all remedies available to it by law, including but not limited to seeking an injunction in civil or criminal court or seeking revocation of an ABC or other license. The costs and expenses therefor, and any enforcement fees, as well as attorneys' fees, will be due from the responsible person(s). In addition, said costs, expenses and fees may be recovered in any manner provided by law, including, without limitation, by the placement of a special assessment or lien against the property. The decision of the planning commission/city council is final and conclusive. Judicial review of the city council's resolution is subject to the time limits set forth in California Code of Civil Procedure, Section 1094.6."
D. 
The city clerk shall serve a copy of the city council resolution on all appealing person(s) by certified and first class mail. The failure of a person to receive a properly addressed resolution shall not invalidate any action or proceeding by the city pursuant to this chapter.
(Ord. 1686 § 1, 2003; Ord. 1881 § 3, 2020)
A. 
Misdemeanor. Any person who violates, causes, or permits another person to violate any provision of these regulations is guilty of a misdemeanor. Any person convicted of violation under the provisions of this section shall be punishable by a fine or imprisonment to the maximum permitted under state law.
B. 
Separate Offenses for Each Day. Any violator shall be guilty of a separate offense for each and every day during any portion of which any violation of any provision of these regulations is committed, continued, permitted, or caused by such violator and shall be punishable accordingly.
C. 
Any Violation a Public Nuisance. In addition to the penalties provided in this section, any use or condition caused or permitted to exist in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall be and is declared to be a public nuisance and may be summarily abated as such by the city.
D. 
Injunction as Additional Remedy. Any violation of any provision of these regulations shall be and is declared to be contrary to the public interest and shall, at the discretion of the city, create a cause of action for injunctive relief.
E. 
Alternate Remedies. The city's remedies, whether administrative, civil/injunctive or criminal, that may be used to address noncompliance with this chapter, are cumulative and non-exclusive, the city may exercise one or any combination of said remedies at its sole discretion at any time.
F. 
Liability for Expenses. In addition to the punishment provided by law, a violator is liable for such costs, expenses, and disbursements paid or incurred by the city or any of its contractors in correction, abatement, and prosecution of the violation.
G. 
A prevailing party in any action, administrative proceeding, or special proceeding to abate a nuisance may recover reasonable attorneys' fees in accordance with Sections 5.08.240 through 5.08.280 except that it shall apply as appropriate to enforcement of this chapter and obtaining compliance with the stated performance standards or enforcement of conditions or revocation of an approved status.
H. 
Inspection and re-inspection fees to ascertain compliance with previously noticed or cited violations shall be charged against the responsible party. Fees shall be in the amount described in the master fee schedule. The inspection official shall give the owner or other responsible party of such affected premises a written notice showing the itemized cost of such chargeable service and requesting payment thereof. Should the bill not be paid in the required time, the charges shall be placed as a lien against the property.
I. 
Fee, and regulations pertaining to fees, including the review, notification, appeal, and reinspection of approved activities shall be in accordance with the city master fee schedule.
(Ord. 1686 § 1, 2003; Ord. 1881 § 3, 2020)
The officials responsible for enforcement of the municipal code, or their duly authorized representatives, may enter on any site or into any structure for the purpose of investigation, provided they shall do so in a reasonable manner, whenever they have cause to suspect a violation of any provision of these regulations, or whenever necessary to the investigation of violations to the performance standards or conditions of approval prescribed in these regulations. An owner or occupant or agent thereof who refuses to permit such entry and investigation shall be guilty of infringing upon the violations and penalties as outlined in this chapter and subject to related penalties thereof.
(Ord. 1686 § 1, 2003; Ord. 1881 § 3, 2020)
All officials, departments, and employees of the city vested with the authority to issue permits, certificates, or licenses shall adhere to, and require conformance with, the performance standards for alcoholic beverage commercial sales. However, this chapter is not intended to be applied, construed or given effect in a manner that imposes upon the city, or upon any officer or employee thereof, any duty towards persons or property within the city or outside of the city that creates a basis for civil liability for damages, except as otherwise imposed by law.
(Ord. 1686 § 1, 2003; Ord. 1881 § 3, 2020)