The global pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus named "SARS-CoV-2", ("COVID-19") has resulted in extraordinary measures by state and local government to reduce the spread of infection. These measures have had their most pronounced impact upon small businesses who have been forced to close or drastically reduce services and/or customer capacity in order to do their part in protecting public health.

On March 16, 2020, the City of Berkeley Health Officer, along with several other neighboring jurisdictions issued a Shelter in Place Order directing all individuals living in the City of Berkeley to shelter at their place of residence except that they may leave to provide or receive certain essential services or engage in certain essential activities, and prohibiting non-essential gatherings and ordering cessation of non-essential travel. This Shelter in Place Order was subsequently extended and amended and economic activity in Berkeley remains constrained by both state and local public health orders.

On March 16, 2020, the Governor issued Executive Order N-28-20, specifically authorizing local governments to halt evictions for commercial tenants. This order was extended by Executive Order N-03-21, through June 30, 2021.

The restrictions set forth in these public health orders have had lasting impacts upon many businesses in Berkeley, resulting in significant revenue reductions and job losses in a variety of sectors, including retail, hospitality, and the performing arts. In April 2020, a poll of small businesses found the pandemic was already taking a steep toll: more than two-fifths of the businesses surveyed expected greater than 80% revenue loss over the three months from when the pandemic began impacting the community; more than half (56%) expected to close permanently; and 33% "reduced salaries or staff hours" to avoid business closure. Thousands were left unemployed in key Berkeley industry sectors, including significant job losses tourism and hospitality (especially lodging, food and beverage, and arts and cultural industries); retail (especially clothing and accessories); and personal and professional service industries (e.g. gyms and fitness studios, salons, employment services). Moreover, mandatory statewide industry guidance has forced many businesses to remain closed or to operate at extremely limited capacities. The eviction protections authorized by the Governor and the City of Berkeley have not prevented many local businesses from being forced to permanently close, and many other local businesses that remain open have been forced to default on their rent obligations and cannot hope to completely pay back what they owe in the foreseeable future.

Small businesses are the cultural and economic lifeblood of Berkeley, giving the City its distinctive character, providing access to essential goods and services, and creating jobs and economic opportunities. As of 2019, there were approximately 5,000 small businesses in Berkeley, accounting for approximately 40% of the jobs in the City. The fiscal impact of businesses to the City of Berkeley is substantial; roughly a quarter of the City’s general fund revenues are generated by business-related taxes.

Berkeley has come together as a community to share the burdens imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but many small business owners remain in desperately precarious financial circumstances. These valued community members should be able to make sound business decisions and live without the fear that the pandemic will cost them not only their customers and revenues but also their personal assets and homes. This legislation does not forgive or erase the rent debts accrued by small businesses during the pandemic, it merely seeks to protect the owners of those businesses from devastating personal financial consequences. In enacting this legislation, the City seeks to prevent the loss of even more of the small businesses that make our local economy vibrant and unique.

No one could have predicted the pandemic, nor could anyone have predicted that a year later many local businesses would still be required to operate at reduced capacity. Landlords and business owners alike must share the burdens of these public health restrictions, and should share the goal of rebuilding a vibrant local economy. (Ord. 7758-NS § 2, 2021)