The Beverly Hills City Council took up a packed four-item agenda Tuesday, Aug. 11, including a proposal to temporarily lift the city's ban on short-term rentals during the 2028 Olympics and a plan to drop speed limits on nearly 14 miles of local streets.

The study session, held at 2:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber at 455 North Rexford Drive, also produced one confirmed action: the council directed staff to cancel the Sept. 15 meeting and reschedule the Dec. 8 session to Wednesday, Dec. 9, to accommodate a scheduling conflict for Mayor Craig A. Corman. A staff report from City Clerk Huma Ahmed noted three meetings in September are unnecessary.

Short-term rentals eyed for LA28

Beverly Hills banned short-term rentals citywide under an ordinance adopted July 15, 2025. But with the city's largest hotels already reporting full corporate buyouts during the LA28 Games, staff presented three options for a temporary exception covering roughly two months: allow rentals only for Olympic-affiliated organizations, open them to any overnight guest, or permit short-term party and event rentals as well.

The potential payoff depends on participation. At a 14% Transient Occupancy Tax rate, staff estimated revenue ranging from $139,650 if 57 of the city's roughly 5,700 single-family homes participate, to $391,020 at 114 homes, up to $837,900 if 171 homes list during the Games. Principal Planner Chloe Chen and Associate Planner Aaron Savage prepared the analysis.

Any temporary ordinance would require a Planning Commission recommendation and a Zone Text Amendment before returning to the council for adoption.

Speed limits could drop to 20 mph on Rodeo Drive

A Fehr & Peers study of 40 road segments on 26 streets found drivers exceed posted limits at 62% of surveyed locations. The Traffic and Parking Commission voted 5-0 to support proposed reductions that would cut 5 mph from 13.9 miles of roadway, lowering the citywide average from about 30 mph to 25 mph.

All streets in the Business Triangle, including Rodeo Drive, Camden Drive, Canon Drive and Brighton Way, would drop to a 20 mph prima facie limit from 25 mph. Sunset Boulevard west of Alpine Drive would remain at 35 mph. A draft ordinance was scheduled for first reading at the council's formal meeting later that evening.

Trash collection overhaul ahead

Staff also briefed the council on a shift from two-stream to three-stream solid waste collection to comply with state Senate Bill 1383. Athens Services, the city's exclusive hauler, informed Beverly Hills its facilities will not obtain the organic-waste certification required to continue a two-stream system. Commercial customers will get new source-separated recycling bins first; residential service would follow.

The franchise agreement with Athens expires March 31, 2030. A cost-of-service study is underway, and staff plans to return this fall to begin the Proposition 218 rate-notice process, according to the staff report from Utilities General Manager Robert Welch.

The full session is available on the city's Granicus portal. Residents can reach the City Clerk at [email protected] or (310) 285-2400 for meeting information.