Business License Commission approves Z Pizza’s request for 2–4 a.m. daily hours and waives guard‑card requirement

The West Hollywood Business License Commission voted unanimously on March 3 to grant Crest LLC d/b/a Z Pizza an extended‑hours business license allowing operation from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. daily and to waive the city’s licensed‑security (guard‑card) requirement for the location.

The action followed a staff report from Jessica Benitez, who said the application was a continuation from the Feb. 3 meeting and that the applicant met municipal‑code criteria. Benitez noted the land‑use permit prohibits amplified music in the restaurant’s outdoor dining area and that the staff table of calls for service reflected responses by the sheriff’s department; staff also reported no code‑enforcement complaints in their records for comparable establishments.

Owner David Fanaroff told the commission Z Pizza is a six‑seat restaurant in the Rainbow District that has operated until 2 a.m. for 27 years and asked for the flexibility to test later hours. "A guard card is not symbolic. It is a regulated security license," Fanaroff said, arguing that requiring a staff member to hold a guard card would create insurance and staffing burdens for his small business. He told the commission his insurance premiums rose "103% this year," and said labeling an employee as a security officer could increase liability and costs.

Commissioners questioned staff about overnight code‑enforcement coverage and about the applicant’s current staffing. Director Danny Rivas and staff said code enforcement is generally available only until midnight Monday–Wednesday, which had led staff to recommend Friday–Sunday extended hours in earlier discussions; commissioners said they could rely on violation reports and follow up if a pattern of complaints emerged. The applicant acknowledged having some employees with guard cards but said turnover makes strict reliance on that qualification difficult.

After public comment in support from Len Lansey, president of the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, Commissioner Eisenberg moved to approve the application for 2–4 a.m. daily and to waive the licensed‑security requirement on the basis of undue financial burden; Commissioner Christian seconded. The commission recorded a unanimous roll‑call vote in favor. Staff said the resolution will be updated to reflect the approved 2–4 a.m. hours and to remove the city’s condition requiring a licensed security guard for that business.

The commission’s decision is subject to the usual 15‑day appeal period for actions arising from public hearings; appeals must be filed with the city clerk within 15 days of the mailing date.