Mayor Karen Bass is pushing full steam ahead to simplify and improve the process for small business owners in Los Angeles. With the aim to rev up the local economy, her latest move, as detailed in her State of the City address, involves Executive Directive 4. This initiative is all about chopping down the bureaucratic red tape that has long ensnared entrepreneurs in the City of Angels. According to the mayor's office, "Through Executive Directive 4, the City is taking action to reduce the barriers to attracting and retaining small businesses. We’re looking at processes, timelines and fees associated with doing business in Los Angeles and identifying immediate opportunities to turn City Hall into an advocate for small businesses," Bass stated.
The city's Bureau of Contract Administration has decided to up the ante by extending its virtual Project Assistance Meetings from two days a week to four, reported the mayor's office. This change alone has seen a nearly fourfold increase in visitors to the PAM Desk, evidencing a tangible demand for smoother bureaucratic navigation. Similarly, the Los Angeles Department of Sanitation and Environment is bending over backward to keep same-day reviews on most of their services, responding to spikes in demand.
The positive outcomes are rolling out in multiple dimensions across city departments. Notably, an ordinance approved by Mayor Bass on February 20, exempts small scale projects from the Low Impact Development (LID) permit. According to the same statement, this move aims to grease the wheels for small business and affordable housing developments, while keeping the environmental oversight tight for bigger fish.
Moreover, the Department of Building and Safety has onboarded additional personnel to accelerate its Restaurant and Small Business Express program, making it faster for eateries and small shops alike to get up and running. The Bureau of Street Services has also decided to step directly into the game, launching a new public counter in Van Nuys to readily assist street vendors. Mary Leslie, President of the Los Angeles Business Council, was quick to note the outcome: "There has been noticeable progress made in Los Angeles for business owners looking to City Hall for partnership." She added that Mayor Bass is "leading the way to cut down the time and costs associated with starting and growing businesses," as she told the mayor's office.
While some might see these changes as overdue, small business owners who frequently felt shortchanged by the system are likely to experience a shift in the city's business climate — and hopefully, in their fortunes. The Mayor's Office promises continued vigilance, with regular assessments of how processes, timelines, taxes, and fees can be optimized for the entrepreneurial spirit to thrive in L.A.
