By Lookout Staff

December 2, 2013 -- City Hall announced Wednesday that it will start enforcing new rules that limit the number of private trainers in Santa Monica’s public parks starting January 1.

The ordinance, which the City Council in October, requires private trainers to pay for permits to hold classes in the bayside city’s public open space while limiting the number of permits available for some parks and restricting commercial activity altogether in others. (“Santa Monica City Council Approves Limited Use of Palisades Park by Personal Trainers,” October 10)

“Permit applications will be accepted beginning December 2, 2013. Permits will be issued by size of group and location with specified days, times, and rules,” staff said, adding that different rules apply for Palisades Park.

The controversial ordinance caps the number of permits available for Palisades Park -- one of Santa Monica’s most coveted workout spots -- at 20 for medium or large groups.

The new ordinance defines medium groups as having between three and 10 participants. Large groups can have a maximum of 15 people, “excluding trainers and spectators,” staff said.

The application period for Palisades Park runs from December 2 to 16 at 5:30 p.m. Due to the popularity of the park for trainers, it is likely that more than 20 applications will be submitted.

If that’s the case, City Hall will hold a lottery. But even those trainers who hold permits won’t have free rein of the park.

“Permits (for Palisades Park) are not valid north of Marguerita Ave or on Sundays,” according to the City’s website.

And, for trainers hoping to hold classes in Palisades Park, it will cost.

“The annual permit fee ranges from $100 - $150,” the City’s website reads. “Quarterly use charges from $225 - $2,025, depending on size of group and location.”

The use charges are 150 percent more expensive for Palisades Park than at other parks.

Trainers who opt to work out only in Reed Park will get a discount on their permit fees, which will cost between $900 and $1,800 a year.

While trainers can hold classes with small groups, between one and two participants, at 17 parks throughout the city, the ordinance bans any commercial training at 13 other parks.

“Commercial fitness or athletic instruction, classes or camps will be prohibited in Ashland Park, Beach Park #4, Chess Park, Euclid Park, Goose Egg Park, Joslyn Park, Ken Genser Square, Muscle Beach Park, Ozone Park, Pacific Street Park, Park Drive Park, and Schader Park,” staff said.

Application forms and a complete list of rules and regulations are available at www.smgov.net/trainers or by calling the Community Recreation Division at 310-458-8300.