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Los Angeles suburb Culver City weighs permanent drive-thru ban, threatening proposed In-N-Out Burger

Photo: In-N-Out Burger

July 15, 2026

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Culver City, California officials are considering a permanent ban on new drive-through businesses, a decision that could halt plans for a new In-N-Out Burger in this Los Angeles suburb, according to a report by The Independent.

The QSR would be the first drive-through built in the city since 1997; however, the project has faced pushback from residents raising concerns over traffic, child safety and air pollution, NBC Los Angeles reported.

According to development blueprints, the proposed In-N-Out would feature 61 parking spaces and a 26-car drive-through designed with two lanes that merge into one around an outdoor seating area.

The city council was scheduled to meet Monday to debate extending a temporary ban on new drive-through permits for an additional 10 months and 15 days. The city originally enacted a 45-day temporary moratorium last month to allow staff and the Planning Commission to study a permanent prohibition. That initial ban is set to expire at the end of July.

Opponents of the project have pointed to its closeness to El Rincon Elementary School and Blanco Park, raising concerns about the safety of local children walking to and from school.

Other community members expressed concern that the fast-food site would overwhelm local streets. Mel Siverts, president of the Beverlywood West Homeowners Association, wrote a letter to the Culver City Planning and Development Department detailing how the development could alter the area.

"Our neighborhood already experiences heavy congestion during peak hours, and adding a high-traffic fast-food establishment — especially one known for long drive-thru lines that often spill out onto public streets — would worsen the situation considerably," Siverts wrote.