EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
EXECUTIVE ORDER N-15-25
WHEREAS on January 7, 2025, I proclaimed a State of Emergency to exist in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties due to fire and windstorm conditions that have now caused multiple fires, including the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Lidia, Sunset, and Woodley Fires; and
WHEREAS since the fires began, I have issued several Executive Orders to provide relief to impacted communities, protect survivors and to expedite and aid recovery efforts; and
WHEREAS these fires have devastated communities across the Greater Los Angeles Area and have collectively burned over 47,900 acres, destroying or damaging more than 16,250 structures, including homes, small businesses, and places of worship, with initial estimates placing this disaster among the most destructive in California history; and
WHEREAS these fires have destroyed entire neighborhoods and communities, leaving residents and other impacted individuals traumatized and uncertain about the status of their homes, property, businesses, places of worship, and other community locales; and
WHEREAS expediting and aiding recovery means helping businesses and business owners get back on their feet, which, in some instances, may require moving to new locations without undue cost, delay, or limitations on their operations; and
WHEREAS individuals whose businesses have been damaged or destroyed as a result of the emergency may struggle to pay licensure fees on time, and should not have to pay for a duplicate or replacement of a license certificate that was burned or destroyed; and
WHEREAS individuals whose businesses have been damaged or destroyed as a result of the emergency may need additional time to address appeals of disciplinary and other proceedings; and
WHEREAS under the provisions of Government Code sections 8571, I find that strict compliance with various statutes and regulations specified in this Order would prevent, hinder, or delay the mitigation of the effects of these fires and windstorm conditions; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of the State of California, in accordance with the authority vested in me by the State Constitution and statutes, including the California Emergency Services Act, and in particular, Government Code section 8567, 8571, and 8627, do hereby issue the following Order to become effective immediately.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
- The following provisions shall apply to licensees of entities within the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) in the following zip codes : 90041, 90049, 90265, 90272, 90290, 90402, 91001, 91024, 91103, 91104, 91107,
91367, or 93536:
- The deadlines to pay fees to renew a license, certificate, permit, or similar indicia of licensure pursuant to Education Code section 5 and Divisions 2, 3, or 4 of the Businesses and Professions Code, and accompanying regulations, are extended for a period
of one year for any licensee with an expiration date occurring between January 1, 2025, and July 1, 2025.
- Section 122 of the Business and Professions Code, and accompanying regulations, authorizing a fee for a duplicate or replacement license, wall certificate, or similar indicia of licensure, and any similar provision of Divisions 2, 3, or 4 of the Businesses and Professions Code, and accompanying regulations, are suspended, and such replacement licenses, certificates, and indicia of licensure shall be provided free of charge, until January 7,
- Section 5 of the Business and Professions Code, and accompanying regulations, authorizing delinquency, late or penalty fees for the renewal of a license, and any similar provision of Divisions 2, 3, or 4 of the Business and Professions Code, and accompanying regulations, are suspended until July 1, 2025.
- The following provisions shall apply to Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) licensees in the zip codes identified in Paragraph 1:
- The deadlines to pay annual license renewal fees pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 24048 are extended for a period of one year for any license with a renewal date occurring between January 1, 2025, and July 1,
- Any provisions of the Business and Professions Code imposing penalties for late payment of annual license renewal fees payable pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 24048 are suspended until January 7,
- Business and Professions Code section 25509 is suspended until January 1, 2026. Selling licensees specified in section 25509 shall not be required to (but still may, should they choose to do so): Sell alcoholic beverages only on a cash basis if a retailer is in arrears; or impose the one-percent statutory penalty or successive one- percent additional penalties on late payments.
- In addition to the provisions of Paragraph 2, the following provisions shall apply to ABC licensees transferring or relocating a business from a location in the zip codes identified in Paragraph 1 to a new location within Los Angeles County on a temporary or permanent basis:
- Business and Professions Code section 24081 is suspended for a period of one year from the date of this Order, to the extent it imposes a 1,000 foot proximity requirement between the temporary location and the premises for which the license was
- The 180-day period in Business and Professions Code section 24081 during which an ABC licensee may temporarily operate its licensed business at an alternative location is extended to 360 days for any licensee that begins temporary operation in a new location within one year of the date of this
- Business and Professions Code section 24081 and 24082 are suspended for a period of one year from the date of this Order, to the extent they require license transfer
- Business and Professions Code section 23985 is suspended for a period of one year from the date of this Order, to the extent it prohibits sale of alcoholic beverages at the proposed premises of
an application to sell alcoholic beverages for a period of 30 days following the posting of the required notice.
- Business and Professions Code section 23987 is suspended for a period of one year from the date of this order, to the extent it prohibits issuing or transferring a license until at least 30 days after mailing the required notice.
- Business and Professions Code section 5 is suspended for a period of one year from the date of this Order, to the extent it requires that a protest shall have been filed with the Department as a precondition to approval of an Interim Operating Permit.
- The deadlines specified in Business and Professions Code section 23081, and accompanying regulations, related to appeals to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board, are extended for a period of 30 calendar days for any ABC licensee in the zip codes identified in Paragraph 1.
- For Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) licensees in the zip codes identified in Paragraph 1, the deadlines to pay licensure and renewal fees pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 26180, and accompanying regulations, are extended for a period of one year for any licensee with an expiration date occurring between January 1, 2025 and July 1,
- The deadlines for filing an initial appeal to the Cannabis Control Appeals Panel pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 26043, and accompanying regulations, are extended for a period of 30 calendar days for any DCC licensee in the zip codes identified in Paragraph
I FURTHER DIRECT that as soon as hereafter possible this Order be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and notice be given of this Order.
This Order is not intended to, and does not, create any rights or benefits, substantive, or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, against the State of California, its agencies, departments, entities, officers, employees, or any other person.
