Culver City officials are contemplating a citywide ban on new drive-thru restaurants, a move that could significantly alter the fast-food landscape in the California community. The proposal emerged after residents voiced concerns about a planned In-N-Out restaurant, citing potential increases in traffic congestion, negative impacts on air quality, and safety risks for pedestrians and cyclists.
In June, the City Council enacted a 45-day moratorium on permits for new drive-thrus, a temporary measure to allow city staff to draft a potential ban. If approved, the ordinance would not affect the city’s eight existing drive-thru establishments but would apply to any new ones. The proposed In-N-Out would be the first new drive-thru in Culver City since 1997, according to a city staff report.
The plan for the new In-N-Out included a site plan with 61 parking spaces and a drive-thru lane designed to accommodate 26 vehicles. Opponents of the development have labeled it a "mega drive-thru," asserting it would exacerbate traffic on nearby streets and conflict with the city’s broader goals of promoting more walkable and bike-friendly neighborhoods. Resident Vanessa Martin, who is active in advocating for the ban, stated, "Density is inevitable, and development is inevitable. We want to be proactive and smart about it."
Councilmember Bubba Fish echoed these sentiments, describing drive-thrus as "the antithesis" of the safer, more pedestrian-oriented streets the city aims to create.
However, representatives from the restaurant industry have cautioned that such bans could negatively impact fast-food businesses and inconvenience customers. Jot Condie, president of the California Restaurant Association, characterized drive-thru bans as "shortsighted" and argued that they are essentially a ban on quick-service restaurants without explicitly stating so.
Data from the American Planning Association indicates that approximately 70% of all fast-food sales originate from drive-thru orders. Critics of these bans also point out that drive-thrus serve as an important accessibility option for individuals with disabilities, parents with young children, and other customers who may find it challenging to enter a restaurant.
Councilmember Fish acknowledged these concerns but suggested that the city could enhance accessibility through alternative means, such as walk-up windows and increased handicap parking.
Drive-thru bans are not unprecedented in California. Culver City itself already prohibits them in its downtown area. Additionally, cities like Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo have maintained citywide bans for decades.
The proposed Culver City ban ordinance is slated to be reviewed by the planning commission before returning to the City Council for a final vote.