LOS ANGELES, CA- As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to dramatically impact the local economy, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously supported Councilmember Bob Blumenfield’s motion to temporarily suspend certain signage laws so local businesses can promote their services without fear of fines or penalties. Fourteen business owners were cited by the Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) over the past few months for having illegal signage, often due to simple signs hung on their property expressing that they are open and their operating hours.

“This is a common sense step to help empower local businesses in the wake of a devastating emergency,” said Blumenfield. “Neighborhood business owners continue to face mounting economic fears and signs should be the last thing they should be worried about.”

"Since the early days of the pandemic," said Councilmember Paul Krekorian, who seconded the motion, "I have worked with my Council colleagues to help ensure that businesses are not penalized for using innovative ways to attract customers. This motion is an important and necessary part of that effort." 

This motion helps codify Mayor Garcetti’s recent executive action into law but it also goes further and was coordinated closely with LADBS and Marqueece Harris Dawson, Chair of the Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee. It suspends the requirement for businesses to obtain a permit for ‘temporary’ signs that are tacked, pasted or otherwise temporarily affixed to windows and/or on the walls of buildings, barns, sheds or fences, as defined by Municipal Code Section 14.4.16.

Blumenfield stated, “Now more than ever it’s imperative to shop and support community restaurants and businesses. Many establishments are at a make or break moment and it’s critical that as a city, and as consumers, we help uplift these stores and keep the local economy as healthy as possible.” 

The motion also asks for recommendations on which codes present life safety concerns and should continue to be enforced during the COVID-19 State of Emergency.