The moves come as data shows a 5% drop in Los Angeles dining traffic through August 2025
California has introduced two new measures aimed at supporting its struggling restaurant industry at the locally owned Joyce restaurant in downtown Los Angeles. The laws seek to reduce regulatory burdens as small businesses face economic challenges, including rising costs and shifting federal policies.
The state, home to more than 4.2 million small businesses—accounting for 99.9% of its total enterprises—relies heavily on these operations, which employ nearly half of the private sector workforce, or about 7 million people.
The restaurant sector, with over 86,000 locations, stands out as the largest private employer, supporting 1.8 million jobs and generating $220 billion in sales annually.
The first measure, AB 592, sponsored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), allows restaurants with open kitchens to use windows, folding doors or non-fixed storefronts for outdoor dining. This flexibility aims to capitalize on the state’s mild climate.
The second, AB 671, introduced by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland), creates a voluntary fast-track permitting process for small, independent restaurants retrofitting existing spaces. Licensed architects and engineers can self-certify basic plans.
Gabriel noted the strain on neighborhood restaurants, saying the law addresses “endless hurdles” amid economic headwinds. Wicks emphasized the need to help restaurateurs “turn their ideas into reality” without compromising safety standards.
The moves come as data shows a 5% drop in Los Angeles dining traffic through August 2025, per OpenTable.