No more balloons allowed in public places or stores in Laguna Beach

Those wanting to celebrate festivities and holidays in a Laguna Beach park, along a hiking trail or at one of the picturesque beaches with balloons are in for some deflating disappointment.

As of the new year, balloons are prohibited on public property and can’t be sold or distributed in the city. It is also against the law to intentionally release balloons into the air.

The Laguna Beach City Council approved the new law last year after environmentalists argued balloons are dangerous to sea life  and the environment. In 2021, the council also banned single-use plastics in the city.

City officials said they will focus on educating people, but those found in violation could face fines ranging from $100 to $500. If a business has four violations in a year, its license could be revoked.

For the last few weeks, city officials have been working with businesses to make sure they are dialed into the new laws, said Jeremy Frimond, assistant to the city manager.

“Businesses have been supportive and understand,” he said.

The city has also posted information on its website and will embark on a targeted education campaign, especially closer to spring and summer.

At Gelson’s in the town’s south end, a store manager said some people had asked about balloons this week, but were informed the market no longer sells them. The store typically sold hundreds of balloons a year, the manager said, and often got larger balloon orders from the Montage Resort across the street.

The Pacific Marine Mammal Center, which is based in Laguna Beach, has rescued sea lions injured by balloons, including one animal that was found dead with balloon remnants in its stomach. Balloon strings have been found wrapped around sea life, especially sea turtles, but also birds and baleen whales, and animals also get sick from eating balloons, supporters of the ban have said. And some people complained about balloons trashing local wilderness areas and that they can get wrapped around power lines.

Among those who have fought for a ban is Rich German, who gathered 1,500 signatures through his Project O nonprofit several years ago. German, who said he regularly scoops balloons out of the water while paddleboarding, partnered with other groups such as the Surfrider Foundation, Laguna Ocean Foundation and Laguna Canyon Foundation to raise awareness and lobby the council.

Debbie McGuire, executive director of the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center of Orange County in Huntington Beach, said she commends Laguna Beach on its ban. In 2023, the center rescued 91 birds with entanglements, including some songbirds, she said.

“Birds get entangled in their strings, causing severe injuries and amputations of limbs,” she said. “Some pelagic birds ingest them thinking they are jellies (jelly fish) and die.”

Two coastal communities in San Diego County and at least one coastal city in Los Angeles County already have some form of a balloon ban.