AB 342 Hospitality Zones

This bill creates a new original neighborhood-restricted  special on-sale general alcohol license that the  Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC)  can issue to bona-fide public eating places located  in specified census tracts within Los Angeles  County. 30 licenses can be issued per year until a  total of 150 are issued.  Many of California’s once bustling downtowns have turned to ghost towns since the COVID-19 pandemic. There is an urgent need to reimagine California’s downtowns as places that can attract visitors, residents, and workers with thriving restaurants, attractions, arts, and nightlife.

Under this bill, local governments will have an option to create “Hospitality Zones,” areas of their cities, often in downtowns, where there is a focus on supporting businesses and attracting visitors, residents, and tourists. Within these zones, cities will be authorized to permit specific venues to extend their “last call” times to 4 a.m. solely on Fridays, Saturdays, and on official state holidays. When creating these zones, local governments will be required to consider available public safety resources, access to transportation, proximity of hotels and arenas, walkability, and the cultural, historic, and economic appropriateness of the zone.

Full Fact Sheet here.