For the first time in about five years, South Pasadena City Hall will once again be open to the public on Fridays, restoring a full five-day work week that residents long considered the standard for City services.
Beginning October 6, 2025, the front counter at City Hall will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., according to the City announcement.
On Fridays, community members will be able to:
• Apply for business licenses
• Access building services
• Request encroachment permits
• Submit tree trimming and removal permits
• Pay utility bills
• Receive consultation on City services and department functions
A Return to Normalcy
City Hall was open five days a week until the administration of former City Manager Stephanie DeWolfe (2017–2020), who introduced a four-day work week for City employees. At the time, officials pitched the shift as an “efficiency measure.” But many residents — and even some city staff — experienced it as a sharp decline in service, and a tone-deaf move.
With City Hall effectively closed 52 days a year, residents often found themselves stuck waiting through long weekends for answers on building permits, business licenses, and planning approvals. Critics said the closure undermined accountability, slowed projects, and damaged public trust.
DeWolfe’s tenure itself ended in controversy. In July 2020, she was abruptly removed as City Manager following mounting community criticism of her leadership style and decision making, which included the reduced City Hall hours move.
South Pasadena Residents and Businesses: ‘Kudos to City Hall Management’
For many in South Pasadena, the return to Friday hours represents more than a scheduling change — it’s a symbolic correction of a policy that never really fit the needs of the community.
Now, five years later, the city is moving back to a model that aligns with community expectations, everyday service needs, and the operational demands of a busy City Hall.
“Thank you City Hall!” is the word on the street with the welcomed news.
