September 20, 2024
Contact:
Lara Arsinian, DEO Communications
press@opportunity.lacounty.gov
Los Angeles County Launches a Permit Expediting Service for Community-Serving Small Businesses
Los Angeles, CA – The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), inspired by a July 11th motion by Supervisors Holly J. Mitchell and Hilda L. Solis, has launched the LA County SmallBiz Permit Express program – a new government navigation service that expedites County permits for small businesses undertaking community-enhancing projects through a single point of entry and establishes a dedicated a Permit Concierge team to support eligible businesses.
Administered in collaboration with the Departments of Public Works, Regional Planning, Public Health, Fire, County Counsel, Chief Sustainability Office, and the Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI) initiative, LA County SmallBiz Permit Express will reduce approval time by 25% for permits, entitlements, licenses, and inspections for small businesses and projects that provide significant benefits to local residents, including housing and revitalization with environmental and economic benefit for our most historically disinvested communities.
“Los Angeles County is making it easier for small businesses that are delivering critical services to our diverse communities to work in the County,” said Board Chair Lindsey P. Horvath. “Recognizing that small businesses the backbone of our economy, this program streamlines and provides the support needed to make enterpreneurs’ dreams a reality. We encourage business owners to take advantage of the new concierge services offered by our Department of Economic Opportunity.”
“This initiative is designed to streamline the permit process for community-serving enterprises, ensuring that those who are invested in the betterment of our neighborhoods can navigate regulatory hurdles with greater ease and efficiency,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, First District. “Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy and the heart of our communities. However, the complexities of obtaining necessary permits can often be a barrier to their success. Our new service aims to dismantle these barriers, providing expedited assistance to those small business owners who are working tirelessly to improve the quality of life for Angelenos.”
“I’m proud to celebrate the launch of Small Business Permit Express, a pilot program designed to streamline and expedite the permitting process for our community-serving small businesses,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Second District. “Small businesses are the backbone of LA County’s economy, and by cutting through red tape, we’re empowering entrepreneurs to thrive and grow in a more efficient, supportive environment. This initiative reflects our commitment to fostering economic resilience and creating opportunities for businesses to succeed without unnecessary barriers.”
“Small businesses are essential for healthy communities, so we want to make LA County a place where they can thrive, especially when they are enhancing the neighborhoods around them,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn. “Starting a small business and making it succeed are hard enough without miles of red tape in the way. This program is going to big step up for the small businesses our communities love and depend on.”
“I fully support streamlining the tough and complicated permitting process that small businesses owners face,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “Our small business community is vital to serving our many Los Angeles County neighborhoods. Small business owners are uniquely able to meet the needs of the residents they get to know and serve, on a daily basis. They deserve every bit of support the County can offer.”
“DEO is the first place a small business should start when engaging with the County to do business. Through our Office of Small Business Concierge and our expert staff and partners, we can help you start a business, grow with education and training, unlock capital and County contracting opportunities, and now cut through the red tape by enrolling in the LA SmallBiz Permit Express Program,” said Kelly LoBianco, Director of the Department of Economic Opportunity. “The service ensures that our community-serving small businesses are able to advance their projects through support from start to finish while DEO continues to foster equity and sustainability in the region.”
Any small business operating in Los Angeles County that meets the program’s criteria is eligible to participate. Eligibility criteria include the following:
- Business must meet LA County’s definition of a small business
- Business headquartered or project located in (or within 1 mile) of a highest or high need area as defined by the County’s COVID-19 Vulnerability Index
- Green business or a business providing social or community benefit(s)
Applying businesses and projects must comply with relevant regulations and permitting requirements, including existing zoning laws, building codes, and environmental regulations.
To apply for the LA County SmallBiz Permit Express, eligible small businesses must follow a two-step process:
- Step one: Check eligibility and prepare documents
Before applying, all interested businesses are recommended to take a quick eligibility self-assessment, determine if location and project is in unincorporated LA County, and prepare required documents. - Step two: Apply for LA County SmallBiz Permit Express at EPIC-LA
Once a small business verifies their eligibility, they can visit epicla.lacounty.gov, create an account, log-in and click “Apply,” and search and complete the “LA County SmallBiz Permit Express” form. Once the application is submitted, the business will be prompted to set up an appointment with DEO’s Permit Concierge.
The Permit Concierge will help determine eligibility, discuss specific project and business needs, and connect businesses to the program’s cross-departmental SmallBiz Permit Express Team. The Permit Concierge will also continue to support the business throughout the permitting process, ensuring their permit application receives the support it needs to move expeditiously.
The LA County SmallBiz Permit Express is open as of September 16th, 2024. In its pilot phase, 25 eligible businesses will have access to the program’s services and benefits. For help applying, please Visit bit.ly/OSBConcierge to book an appointment with a Business Concierge. Visit bit.ly/SmallBizPermitExpress for program details and application guidance.
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About DEO: The LA County Department of Economic Opportunity, launched in July 2022, helps job seekers, entrepreneurs, small businesses, major industries, and communities access life changing opportunities, and is also home to the LA County Workforce Development Board and 18 America’s Job Centers of California. Stay connected with DEO! Follow @EconOppLA on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, subscribe to our newsletter, or visit opportunity.lacounty.gov to learn about DEO services. For questions related to High Road Training Partnerships, please contact DEO at hrtp@opportunity.lacounty.gov.
