Coastal California City Cracks Down on Oversized Beach Setups Ahead of Summer Season

Beachgoers planning to head to Laguna Beach this summer may need to rethink their setup.

The City of Laguna Beach in Orange County has announced updated regulations for shade coverings on city beaches ahead of the summer season.

Beginning May 26, 2026, shade coverings larger than standard beach umbrellas will be prohibited on all city beaches, except in designated areas at Main Beach and Aliso Beach, the City announced in a social media update.

Tents, canopies, and easy-ups will also be prohibited at beaches.

Violations of the regulations could result in fines of up to $500, the city noted.

City officials said the changes have been implemented to maintain the safety and accessibility of the beaches and to ensure that the spaces remain enjoyable for everyone.

What is Allowed?

At Main Beach and Aliso Beach, shade coverings will be limited in size to eight feet in width by eight feet in depth by six feet in height, according to the Laguna Beach Municipal Code. The shade coverings at these beaches will only be permitted in zones that are located near or behind the lifeguard towers and approved by the resolution of the City Council.

The authorized shade coverings at the two beaches cannot limit a lifeguard’s ability to observe the water or adjacent lifeguard towers.

Additionally, shade coverings at Main Beach and Aliso Beach cannot be located within 20 feet of public and emergency access pathways and cannot be set up within five feet of another shade covering.

While the City allows shade coverings in beach-adjacent parks, they may not exceed 8 feet in width, 8 feet in depth, and 6 feet in height, unless approved by the city manager or secured approvals from the City.

In parks that are non-beach adjacent, shade coverings are allowed but cannot exceed 10 feet in width by 10 feet in depth by 10 feet in height unless approved by the city manager or permitted by the City.

City officials warned that any authorized shade covering can be relocated at the request of the Marine Safety Department staff, Police Department, or any other authorized City staff.

Regulations on Volleyball Nets and Tables

In addition to implementing the new norms on large shade coverings this summer, the City of Laguna Beach also announced regulations on setting up tables, volleyball nets, and courts at beaches.

Tables exceeding six feet in length by three feet in width are prohibited on city beaches, unless an individual has secured all necessary permits.

Volleyball nets or courts cannot be installed or maintained at any beach or public park, unless they have been granted permission by the city manager or have secured all mandatory approvals from the City.