Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Small Business topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee advances bill to let cities authorize 120‑day pop‑ups to activate vacant storefronts
Summary
Lawmakers advanced AB 16 79, a bill to require local governments to adopt a temporary commercial activation authorization (up to 120 days) to let entrepreneurs operate pop‑up shops and test business concepts in vacant storefronts. Supporters said the tool will revive commercial corridors; some members raised local‑control drafting questions.
Assemblymember Mark Gonzales told the Senate Committee on Local Government that AB 16 79 would require local governments to create a limited, low‑risk permitting path for temporary commercial activations lasting up to 120 days to help revitalize vacant storefronts and lower barriers to entrepreneurship.
Gonzales said the measure responds to high retail vacancy in many downtowns and neighborhood commercial corridors and would provide a consistent statewide framework while preserving local discretion on implementation. “Pop ups have been shut down because they lack a permanent permit or face costly renovations,” he said, arguing the bill creates a pathway for temporary testing that can lead to permanent tenancy.
Supporters described how the temporary option has helped entrepreneurs launch. Eddie Navarrete, president of the Independent Hospitality Coalition, said the framework lowers upfront costs and empowers small operators to test concepts: “For many small businesses, the requirement to commit to a full build up upfront is simply not achievable in today’s economic climate.” Alan Morales, co‑founder of Veil Coffee, said his business began as a pop‑up and urged the committee to support ways to give other entrepreneurs the same chance.
Several municipal and business groups — including the California Downtown Association, the California Community Foundation and local city officials — registered support during the hearing. Committee members praised the bill’s goal of activating commercial corridors but asked the author to ensure the measure preserves meaningful local control and to correct a minor drafting error noted by a member.
The committee moved AB 16 79 forward as amended for further consideration. The item remains on the committee’s call list for a final recorded vote and any additional amendments.
The bill’s next procedural step is consideration by the committee specified on the motion; proponents said they will continue to work with stakeholders to fine‑tune local implementation details.
