Malibu Homeowner Facing $4 Million Fine For Blocking Beach Access

MALIBU (CBSLA.com) — One Malibu homeowner faces of a fine of more than $4 million for intentionally blocking access to the beach as the California Coastal Commission cracks down on those who purposely impede access to public space.

Malibu Councilman Jefferson Wagner says property owners have the legal responsibility to not block  access to the beach, but he says owners also have legitimate gripes.

"The biggest complaint from most of the property owners out here is the litter and the lack of respect for property boundaries," Wagner said.

Wagner says signs should clearly spell out rules, including not going to the bathroom on the beach, cleaning up after pets and picking up trash. And beachgoers should abide by them or face consequences.

Members of the Bou Merhi family, visiting here from Reno, say they're happy to pick up after themselves and respect the rights of others, including property owners.

"It's not just all paparazzi; it's just families and kiddos who just want to enjoy the beach, and we like the areas that are less crowded just as much as the homeowners do and we're not looking to do anything crazy," Virginia Bou Merhi said.

Bou Merhi says that while she will respect the people who live in beach homes, she would simply ask for that same respect in return.

The trouble is, it's often difficult for some to get to certain beach area.  Sometimes, it's because public pathways are closed for repairs. And some property owners do all they can to keep the public out.

The owner of one home on Pacific Coast Highway facing a fine compounded the penalty after many years of not complying, Wagner said.