REDWOOD CITY – Small businesses battered by the novel coronavirus in unincorporated San Mateo County would no longer have to fear eviction for nonpayment of rent under an urgency ordinance the Board of Supervisors is set to consider Tuesday.
The ordinance would take effect immediately if approved. It would apply only to businesses under $2.5 million in annual gross receipts in unincorporated areas of the county.
“Small businesses, just like all of us in this county and this world, did not ask for this pandemic and the health and financial uncertainties it brings,” said District 4 Supervisor Warren Slocum, the ordinance’s co-sponsor, in a statement. “As leaders of this county, we must do everything we can to help our community and that includes protecting our businesses for their own sake as well as the community that relies on them.”
Under the ordinance, a small business tenant could not be evicted for nonpayment of rent due to such COVID-19-related impacts as a reduction in operating hours, available workforce or consumer demand; reduced income due to illness; increases in the tenant’s health care expenses or employee health care expenses for which the tenant is responsible; increased overhead costs; or temporary closure of the tenant’s business.
Small businesses, however, would be liable for back rent up to 180 days following the termination of the declared local emergency. The board on Tuesday is expected to approve a resolution extending the emergency proclamation.
The ordinance comes two weeks after the board passed a moratorium on the eviction of renters countywide who cannot pay rent due to the virus.
“The county’s residential and small business moratoria speak to the county’s underlying mission — to protect the most vulnerable when they most need it,” said District 1 Supervisor Dave Pine, the ordinance’s other co-sponsor. “Keeping people in their homes, and doing all we can to ensure that local small businesses survive, are critical steps in helping county residents who are facing severe economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The ordinance would remain in effect through May 31, unless extended by the board.
