SACRAMENTO, CA — Today, AB 2418 and AB 1679, which seek to reawaken our downtown districts by streamlining permits and filling empty storefront advance off the Assembly Floor.
"Bureaucratic nonsense and chronic delays are the difference between a vibrant business and another shuttered storefront," said Assemblymember Mark González (D – Los Angeles).
Small Businesses Are Ready to Pop . . . Up!
Pop-up businesses are temporary, short-term retail or service businesses that can move into vacant storefronts. Currently, opening a pop-up business requires navigating through a maze of permits and local jurisdictional approvals. Often driving trendy markets, good eats, or even tourist attractions, pop-ups bring vibrancy to once-mellow commercial zones.
AB 1679 would require cities and counties to create a Temporary Commercial Activation permit designed for pop-up businesses, authorizing operation in vacant storefronts for up to 120 days. This makes it easier for small businesses to pop up and drive foot traffic, sales, and other positive spillover effects into our downtown corridors.
"Despite growing recognition that pop-up businesses are an effective way to activate vacant spaces, there are no permits that fit the needs of these temporary businesses," said Asm. González. "This bill breaks down the nightmares of navigating complex permits — allowing the pop-ups that bring life and vibrance to our downtowns to access permits faster and for longer durations. Because securing a permit shouldn't need a pop quiz in city law."
"Commercial vacancies aren't just an economic issue—they're a signal that our current system isn't working for small businesses. The cost and complexity of permanent construction has pushed too many operators out before they even have a chance to open, said Eddie Navarrette, President of the Independent Hospitality Coalition. "AB 1679 creates a practical, real-world solution by allowing temporary activation of these spaces, helping bring life back to our streets and supporting the kind of walkable, transit-oriented communities California should be leading on."
Delays, Delays, Delays – Be Gone!
After months of waiting for a routine plan check to be approved, a business in Los Angeles is finally able to open — but these businesses now must cope with unpaid bills and thousands in lost revenue. This is not just happening in LA. In cities and counties across the state, even routine tenant improvements and straightforward interior remodels face plan-checks and inspection delays of up to eight months.
AB 2418 would streamline commercial building and retail permit applications by creating firm timelines for local government to review plans and conduct inspections — and if they are not met, it allows the use of a private plan-checker to expedite approvals.
"Accountability and predictability when opening a business are essential, and the current delays in routine inspections and permitting are ridiculous," said Asm. González. "Especially in DTLA, why are there so many barriers to trying to open, expand, and reinvest in our communities. AB 2418 creates alternative routes and gives business owners the option to expedite their review process."
"This marks another important milestone in our industry's ongoing effort to reform California's permitting process and improve the predictability and efficiency of project approvals across the state," said Matthew Hargrove, President and CEO of CBPA. "On behalf of the commercial real estate industry, I want to thank Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez for his leadership and partnership on this issue."
AB 2418 will tackle and address these delays by:
- Requiring local agencies to provide applicants with an estimated timeline for their plan checks.
- And if there is an excessive delay, allow an applicant to hire an approved third-party plan checker to speed up the process.
AB 1679 and AB 2418 have both advanced to the State Senate. Their status can be found online HERE.
Assemblymember Mark González is the Assembly Majority Whip. He serves on the Committees on Appropriations, Health, Public Safety, Rules, and Utilities & Energy. He represents the 54th District, composed of the cities of Los Angeles, Commerce, Montebello, and Vernon.
CONTACT: Jaspreet Johl; Jaspreet.Johl@asm.ca.gov; (916) 335-8871
Kyle Johnson; Kyle.Johnson@asm.ca.gov; (925) 549-2030
