Mar 25, 2020: Renters Are Protected by a New Ordinance; New Rules Affecting Residents and Businesses Have Been Put in Place
The City of Long Beach and Long Beach City Council took action yesterday to prevent further spread of COVID-19 and to protect renters during the pandemic.
The city issued a new health order yesterday tightening restrictions on residents and businesses with the goal of stemming community spread of COVID-19. Public and private gatherings of any size are now prohibited. All residents must stay home except to: visit an essential business (a grocery store or pharmacy, for example) or obtain an essential service (for example, a medical appointment); travel to work at an essential business or operation; or exercise outdoors.
Business rules include:
- Indoor shopping centers must close. Essential businesses located at these centers may remain open if they are accessible from the exterior of the building.
- Indoor and outdoor flea markets and swap meets must shut down.
- Workers employed by nonessential businesses may only work from home.
To read the full health order, click here. For a list of COVID-19 terminology, including an explanation of essential vs. nonessential businesses, click here.
Due to the economic impacts of COVID-19, the Long Beach City Council has enacted an ordinance designed to protect residential and commercial renters during the pandemic. The ordinance prohibits landlords from evicting rental tenants for failing to pay rent due to economic impacts related to COVID-19, such as substantial medical expenses or loss of income. Rental payment may be delayed, but must be repaid within a six-month period. Renters are asked to pay as much as they can as soon as possible. The ordinance applies to rent due between March 4 to May 31, 2020.
The DLBA will continue to inform Downtown residents and businesses about relevant policies and regulations as this situation progresses. Please visit our We’re All In This Together resource page for regular updates.