Hearing Notice

FAQ

The Los Angeles City Council adopted a motion (Council File #: 17-0981) directing the Department of City Planning (DCP) to recommend a path for shortened processing time and lowered costs for restaurants that serve alcoholic beverages. Currently, it takes about six months for restaurants to obtain a Conditional Use Permit for alcoholic beverages (CUB), the City approval required to be able to serve alcoholic beverages, at a cost of about $12,500. DCP has responded with the proposed ordinance that will be considered by the City Planning Commission (CPC) and the City Council.

In response to a request by the City Council, the Department of City Planning is proposing an ordinance to shorten processing times and lower costs for certain sit-down restaurants to be able to serve alcoholic beverages. This will help facilitate the creation of new jobs for an industry that plays a vitally important role in the City’s economy, employing more than 380,000 people and generating in excess of $200 million in tax revenues on an annual basis.

KEY PROVISIONS
For businesses to be eligible for this program, they must meet more than 30 proposed criteria, which include the following:

  • Must be a restaurant with an operational kitchen and full menu;
  • Daily hours of operation limited to the hours between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.;
  • No live entertainment, including dancing, karaoke, or a DJ;
  • No outdoor TV monitors or music. Only ambient indoor music allowed;
  • Restaurant cannot be take-out or delivery-only. It must offer seated dining;
  • Restaurants cannot be drive-through fast food establishments; and
  • Adherence to a number of other limitations and requirements.
What are the next steps? 
An initial staff-level hearing was held on December 5, 2018. Due to strong interest, the Department is offering a second public hearing on January 31, 2019 for those who are interested. Any feedback provided during this process will be considered in the staff recommendation to the CPC for their deliberation. The CPC is expected to hear the proposal in April 2019.
Second Public Hearing
Date: January 31, 2019
Time: 6:30 pm
Place: Marvin Braude Building, 1st Floor
6262 Van Nuys Blvd.
Van Nuys, CA 91401
For any additional information, please contact City Planning Associate Esther Ahn by email esther.ahn@lacity.org or by phone at (213) 978-1486. Media inquiries should be directed to Lauren Alba, Public Relations Specialist, by email at lauren.alba@lacity.org or by phone at (213) 978-1190.