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Santa Rosa staff outline entertainment-zone option under state law and plans to streamline use-permit review
Summary
Staff briefed the subcommittee on SB 969, which allows local jurisdictions to create entertainment zones, and described efforts to speed commercial use-permit approvals and develop enforcement clarity for vacant properties; staff will consult law enforcement and bring study-session guidance to council.
Director Osborne told the subcommittee the city is researching the use of an "entertainment zone" under California law (SB 969, effective Jan. 1, 2025) that can allow businesses within a defined area to sell alcohol in non-glass containers for consumption within the zone, and noted local flexibility in setting hours and boundaries.
Osborne said the city will consult with the police department on appropriate container and safety rules and intends to bring a study-session package to the full council before any local adoption. He said the zones are typically used for special events or defined entertainment districts and can be tailored with hours and container types.
On permitting, Osborne said staff are examining options to streamline conditional use permits and other land-use entitlements to reduce the time from concept to opening. The proposed approach discussed at the meeting would allow more director-level approvals with notice and appeal rights, rather than requiring every change to go through a public hearing, in order to reduce processing time while maintaining public notice and appeal opportunities.
Finally staff described early enforcement and casework under the city's vacant building/lot enforcement efforts; staff said graffiti and blight enforcement has begun but that granular enforcement reporting would be provided to the committee on request.
Ending: Staff will consult law enforcement, refine recommended boundaries/conditions and return to the committee and full council with a study-session package that outlines how an entertainment zone and streamlined use-permit procedures could operate locally under SB 969 and other code changes.
