Public Policies
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Background Commercial vacancy continues to be a pressing national issue, as Moody’s Analytics reports that office vacancy rose to an all-time high of 19.6% in Q4 of 2023. Southern California ended 2023 with a ~20% commercial vacancy rate while the Bay Area had a 24.5% vacancy rate in Q4 of last year. Commercial vacancy can negatively impact property values, attract crime, create fire and other safety hazards, discourage economic activity and generally contribute to blight. Vacant properties can also create significant expenditures for agencies related to police, fire and code inspections. To mitigate this, agencies are passing ordinances to track vacancie…
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Background The State of California decriminalized street food vending in 2018 when voters passed the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act. The Act allows local agencies to enact public safety requirements and regulate the type of vending and time, place and manner of street vending. In 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 972 into law. This modernized the California Retail Food Code to remove barriers related to obtaining valid permits and extra equipment costs. Agencies cannot deny mobile food vendors the right to run their business. However, agencies can decide when, how and where a food vendor may operate within an agency’s jurisdiction. Counties may already have …
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Background Passed by the State Legislature in 2016, Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) is a statewide initiative to address climate change by reducing pollutants like greenhouse gases. By 2025, the state aims to reduce organic waste by 75% and increase edible food recovery by 20%. To achieve this goal, local jurisdictions are now required to provide organic waste collection services, procure recycled organic waste products to create demand for these products, reduce edible food waste and monitor and enforce these programs. When organic waste such as food scraps, yard trimmings and paper decomposes anaerobically in landfills, it produces methane, a harmful greenhouse gas…
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Background Information Electric bikes (e-bikes) are a method of transportation that have recently gained popularity, especially in California’s beach towns. The global market for e-bikes is projected to grow from $43.32 billion in 2023 to $119.72 billion by 2030. An e-bike is defined by California law and the California Department of Motor Vehicles as a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts. There are three classifications for e-bikes as defined by California Vehicle Code 312.5: Class 1: A low-speed pedal-assisted electric equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and…
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Background California Senate Bill No. 60, Chapter 307 defines short-term rentals (STR) as any residential property or portion of a residential property that is rented to an individual or group for 30 consecutive days or less. Any time greater than 30 days is considered a lease or normal rental. According to a study conducted by the Milken Institute, in 2019, short-term rentals accounted for more than 13% of the occupied housing supply in California. Short-term rentals accounted for 32% of housing supply in Sonoma County, 21% in the Palm Springs Desert, 45% in Lake Tahoe, 51% in the High Desert and 68% in Big Bear. Common concerns regarding short-term renta…
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Background Rent control is legislation that limits rental rates and annual rent increases in cities, counties and states. The laws typically specify a maximum percentage for rent increases based on a jurisdiction’s Consumer Price Index (CPI)–typically annually or monthly–as well as establish a ceiling regarding the frequency of increases. In California, over 20 cities and counties maintain long term, local rent control ordinances. Legal Requirements Key Legislation AB-1482 Tenant Protection Act of 2019 CA Tenant Protections Chart Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act The legal requirements noted below are applicable u…
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Background California became the first state to allow medical cannabis in 1996 when voters passed the Compassionate Use Act. The Act allowed Californians to obtain and use cannabis for medical purposes when deemed appropriate and recommended by a physician. In 2016, the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act (Proposition 64) legalized the use and sale of cannabis for adults 21 and over in California. Proposition 64 was passed with 57% voter approvals. Cities and counties may have stricter cannabis laws than the state. The Department of Cannabis Control estimates that 44% (237 out of 539) of cities and counties allow at least one type of canna…
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Background Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are smaller homes that can be constructed on any residential property, including single-unit homes, multi-family homes and mixed-use projects. They do not fall under the category of “tiny homes” and can be built on the same property of an existing unit or as a new unit. People may build ADUs to make generational living easier or to generate additional income. ADUs can provide more affordable housing options and include a separate entrance, permanent kitchen, sleeping area, living area and bathroom. Different Types of ADUs include: Detached ADUs are new constructions that stand independently from an existing or …
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