LOS ANGELES COUNTY — The Board of Supervisors approved a motion by Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Janice Hahn intended to help small businesses and facilitate new building by vastly improving the permitting and development processes in Los Angeles County.
“As businesses struggle to recover from the devastating impacts of COVID-19 closures, the County must look for ways to reduce barriers, especially those that negatively impact small businesses, which are often owned by women and communities of color,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “We should also facilitate new development throughout the region to support the local economy and increase housing stock. To do so, we must assess and eliminate anything that would impede or delay these efforts.”
This motion is an effort by Supervisor Barger to implement initiatives that can help small businesses open, relocate or expand in Los Angeles County while supporting job growth and housing availability. As outlined in this motion, businesses of all sizes continue to face regulatory hurdles when applying for permits with County departments. Often, these barriers are too great for small businesses to navigate and overcome.
Today’s motion directs County departments, including the Department of Regional Planning and the Department of Public Works, to work with a consultant and engage with impacted stakeholders to review the existing land development permitting process, identify bottlenecks, and look for areas to improve the technical, operational, and cultural aspects of the process.
A copy of the motion approved by the Board of Supervisors can found here.