City Approves Balloon Ban Ordinance In Laguna Beach: What To Know

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — Laguna Beach City Council members unanimously moved forward with an ordinance banning the sale or use of any balloons, mylar, latex or otherwise, within the city during its Tuesday, Jan. 24 meeting.

The ban comes after several environmental organizations showed concern about how trashed balloon litter negatively impacts Laguna Beach's ocean and open spaces.

The ban is scheduled to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2024, which will allow businesses time to adjust to the new ordinance and the city time to notify Laguna Beach residents.

While balloons will no longer be permitted in the city's parks, beaches or trails, balloons will still be allowed in private and commercial areas.

Rich German, founder of local nonprofit Project O, told the Laguna Beach Independent that it feels wonderful to have an initiative he started back in 2017 come to reality.

“We had a petition that thousands of people signed, but unfortunately, it just didn’t go anywhere with the city council back then,” German told the Laguna Beach Independent. “It wasn’t until we formed an incredible coalition that included many other local non-profits, including Laguna Bluebelt, Laguna Ocean Foundation, Laguna Canyon Foundation, and Surfrider Foundation and others, that we got the ball rolling. We got the Environmental Sustainability Committee on board, local businesses and concerned citizens. It was when we formed that coalition that we got the ban through, which we did last night.”