On Tuesday June 22, 2021, the Davis City Council adopted amendments to the City’s Urgency Eviction Moratorium Ordinance ending the moratorium on commercial evictions effective August 1, 2021, and retaining the moratorium on residential evictions until the end of the City’s State of Emergency. The amended ordinance includes the following provisions:

• Allowing a commercial business a six-month period beginning August 1, 2021, to pay unpaid rent due that was accumulated between March 24, 2020, and July 31, 2021
• In cases where no rental repayment agreement is reached between a landlord and commercial tenant, all the delayed rent payments to be repaid in six (6) equal payments to be paid in thirty (30) day intervals beginning on the first day after the effective date of the ordinance
• Notice and cure periods related to timely payments for unpaid rent as defined in the amended ordinance

These ordinance amendments reflect recent State actions removing business activity restrictions and reopening the State economy on June 15, 2021, and repealing local authority to enact commercial eviction moratoriums on September 30, 2021.

The City of Davis adopted the original temporary moratorium on eviction for non-payment of rent by residential and commercial tenants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic on March 24, 2020 (Ordinance 2575), and had extended this ordinance to extend until the end of the local emergency. The City took this action to prevent residential and commercial evictions to assist Davis tenants experiencing sudden unexpected income loss, or substantial business operation restrictions due to public health protocols, during the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

Read the Amended Ordinance (PDF)

Read the Council Staff Report on the Amended Ordinance (PDF)

Jan. 5, 2021 County Guidance for Businesses for COVID-19 Case Reporting

County Guidance for Business for COVID-19 Case Reporting (PDF)

Sept. 18, 2020 - Yolo County Announces COVID Small Business Grant Program

Yolo County has issued CARES Act funding for a new Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Small Business Grant Program to help mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on small businesses. Eligible applicants will be invited to submit completed applications beginning September 28, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. and ending October 4, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. Please go to link below for full details of the program. 

Yolo County Small Business Program Details

Open Air Davis Eat. Shop. Vibe.

The Open Air Davis initiative championed by Downtown Davis is a collaboration between the City and Davis businesses in response to public health restrictions on indoor activity. The project has allowed many businesses to continue operating outside using public sidewalks, parking spaces and other outdoor areas. It has encouraged people to return downtown to shop, eat and experience a positive community “vibe” in a safe, socially distanced, outdoor setting.

To support Open Air Davis, the City diverted vehicle traffic from two downtown blocks during summer weekends. The city also created new, no-fee, expedited temporary use permits that were available to Davis businesses that were interested in the longer-term use of public space for outdoor business use or dining.

The summer weekend street closures include G Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets and 2nd St. between E and F Streets, from Friday morning to Monday morning. Anticipated fall weekend closures include a continuation of the G Street block closure and an area next to the E Street Plaza. 

Information for businesses:

Businesses interested in operating outside on the closed streets during scheduled closures require no additional City permit. Restaurants must meet additional requirements to operate outside of their existing business. The Downtown Davis business association is assisting with business outreach and coordinating participation in Open Air Davis.

For more information, please visit: https://davisdowntown.com/open-air-davis/

Apply for the No-Fee, Outdoor Dining, Retail or Commercial Park Use Permits

New no-fee, expedited, temporary-use permits (TUP) are facilitating the reopening of restaurants, retail and other businesses throughout the downtown and community. These permits allow businesses to gain timely approval for use of outdoor public sidewalks, parking spaces and parks to meet COVID-19 social distancing requirements and serve a greater number of customers.

These are temporary, revocable permits subject to modifications necessary to incorporate State and County business reopening requirements. The intent is to provide an expedited permit for our businesses that meet minimum requirements with an understanding that the permittee will need to be responsive to City requests for modification of their application.

The three types of TUP applications are provided below. Please submit completed applications and any questions to policeweb@cityofdavis.org 

Outdoor Dining Temporary Permit 

Outdoor Retail Temporary Permit

Commercial Park Use Temporary Permit

August 28, 2020 - Yolo County Announces "Green Check Program" for Local Businesses to Signify Compliance with COVID Health and Safety Requirements 

Yolo County is announcing a new, voluntary ‘Green Check Program’ for local businesses to apply for that recognizes and endorses businesses that are in compliance with the Yolo County and State COVID-19 health and safety requirements and guidelines. The intent of the program is to encourage COVID-19 compliance, publicly recognize local businesses that are helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19 among staff and customers, and to inform the public of COVID-19 compliant establishments.

Through this incentive program, businesses will need to fill out a simple application that says their establishment is COVID-19 compliant by implementing and following set guidelines. These guidelines include face covering requirements, proper signage and distribution, personnel training, handwashing and hand-sanitizing protocols, cleaning and disinfecting protocols, measures to maintain social distancing, and measures to prevent unnecessary contact. Businesses that have been certified as compliant will receive a certificate from the County featuring a green check mark and the text “Certificate of Compliance.” This signage means that the County has identified the business as following the guidelines and requirements set forth by the estate of California and Yolo County to help keep the public safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. These businesses will also be featured on the County’s website at https://www.yolocounty.org/green-check. 

Read full press release.

May 27, 2020 - Yolo County Business Toolkit Resource for Reopening

Yolo County has created a comprehensive toolkit with forms, resources and guidance for reopening your restaurant or retail business.

Please download this storefront sign to help your customers keep safe and healthy.

Rapid Response Business Triage Hotline Support Available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Mandarin

The Sac Asian Chamber has partnered with the Sacramento Metro Chamber to launch the Rapid Response Business Triage hotline, a toll free number for small businesses to call for support navigating access to capital and human resources issues they're facing as a result of COVID-19.  The program offers assistance in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Mandarin.  A link to the site is included with each graphic below.  Dropdown menus in each language on the main hotline page provide information on the hotline services and process.

Sac Metro Chamber Rapid Response Business Triage Hotline Launched

April 8, 2020 - Additional Resource for Davis Businesses Launched

The Coronavirus Rapid Response Hub regional business assistance program has launched the free business support hotline for the small business community. Trained business counselors will assist callers with general business questions, human resources, legal issues and navigation of the various financing tools.

The number for the hotline is 833-391-1919.

The service includes the following:

• Languages: English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Mandarin
• Business Counselors available Monday-Friday from 8-4 p.m.
• 24/7 voicemail capabilities to have your message forwarded to counselors

More information online: https://businesstriagehotline.com

Coronavirus Rapid Response Hub Through Sac Metro Chamber

April 1, 2020 - New Resource for Davis Businesses

The City is a partner in this Coronavirus Rapid Response Hub regional business assistance program to offer local businesses access to updated business resources and assistance seven days a week.

https://rapidresponse.metrochamber.org/

Resources for our partner organizations can be found at:

Davis Downtown COVID-19 Community Support Page
https://davisdowntown.com/covid-19-community-support/

Facebook page for Davis Chamber COVID-19 Response
Group Name: Davis Chamber - Local Business & Community Support - COVID-19 Response 
Direct Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DCOC.LocalBusiness.CommunitySupport.COVID19/ 

Visit Yolo COVID-19 Resources
https://visityolo.com/covid-19-resources/ 

State of California Resources

March 19, 2020 - State of California Information Website

The State of California has created a website listing COVID-19 resources for businesses and employees.  Information is available on how to apply for unemployment, disability benefits, paid family leave, and small business assistance.

Learn more at https://covid19.ca.gov

How to Support Local Businesses

March 17, 2020 - Please Support Davis Businesses

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) mitigation and social distancing requirements are affecting the way we do business and our way of life around the world. The City of Davis is strongly encouraging everyone to follow the guidance that the federal, State, and local governments are providing in an effort to curb the spread of this pandemic. There is no question that these mitigation measures and social distancing requirements are having a major impact on businesses in our community. Local businesses are exploring creative ways to serve their customers during this challenging time. The continued support of the Davis community is critical to our local business ecosystem.

A number of businesses are modifying their practices to allow them to provide services while staying consistent with state and local COVID-19 mitigation measures. These include restaurants that are delivering food, providing take out, inclusive of curbside pickup opportunities. Some retailers have also started taking orders over the phone or online combined with curbside pick up to their customers. These practices will continue to evolve as the situation continues to progress. Businesses and customers will need to be flexible and adapt to this rapidly changing environment.

Please consider contacting local merchants that you do business with to see if they offer gift cards or certificates for future gifts or personal use. Accelerating this activity could go a long way to help our local business community. Should you have a membership with a local fitness or service provider, please keep it current to show your support for the great services they provide to the community.
Davis merchants have long been a strong thread in the community tapestry, providing a richness to the overall experience of living, working, and visiting this special place. Please be mindful of how you can continue to support our local business community while still following mitigation and social distancing guidance.

The City of Davis will continue to collaborate with Davis Chamber of Commerce, the Davis Downtown Business Association, and Visit Yolo regarding opportunities and resources to support our business community and local commerce.

Business and Employee Assistance

March 16, 2020 - Resources Available to Help Affected Businesses and Employees

On March 15, 2020, in an effort to slow the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), the California Governor announced that he was strongly encouraging bars, brewpubs, wineries and night clubs to close.  

The State of California is also recommending that restaurants operate at half capacity to allow for social distancing. The City of Davis is closely tracking new developments and guidelines as they become available from federal, State, and County officials.  The City is also working to identify and share information relative to business and employee support as it becomes available from various levels of government.  Additionally, the City has been in conversations with leadership from the Davis Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Davis Business Association and Visit Yolo, regarding resources that may be helpful to our business community at the local level.

Please know that the City of Davis greatly values our business community and will continue to collaborate with our business partners as we collectively work our way through this unprecedented challenge.

Below is information on assistance opportunities for businesses and their employees.

Small Business Loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans to California small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of COVID-19.  Small businesses; private non-profit organizations of any size; small agricultural cooperatives; and small aquaculture enterprises that have been financially impacted as a direct result of the COVID-19 may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred.

The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in many California counties, including Yolo. Eligibility for Economic Injury Disaster Loans is based on the financial impact of COVID-19. The interest rate for small businesses is 3.75%, and 2.75% for private non-profit organizations. SBA offers loans with long-term repayment terms in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years, and are available to entities without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship.

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to:

U.S. Small Business Administration
Processing and Disbursement Center
14925 Kingsport Road
Fort Worth, TX 76155

The deadline to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan is December 16, 2020.

For the complete press release, click here.

For more information about Coronavirus, please visit: Coronavirus.gov.

For more information about available SBA resources and services, please visit: SBA.gov/coronavirus.

Franchise Tax Board

• More Time to File/Pay for California Taxpayers

Employment Development Department

• Sick or Quarantined (If you are unable to work due to COVID-19 exposure): Disability Insurance Claim
• Caregiving (If you are unable to work because you are caring for an ill/quarantined family member): Paid Family Leave (PFL) Claim
• School Closures (If you need to stay home because your child's school is closed): Unemployment Insurance claim
• Reduced Work Hours (If your employer has reduced your hours or shut down operations due to COVID-19): Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim
• Reduced Work Hours: Work Sharing Program
• Self Employed: Self-Employed/Independent Contractor

Other Assistance

• PG&E: Moratorium on Customer Shutoffs for Nonpayment
• Utility Bill Assistance
• Yolo Food Bank: Emergency Food Assistance for Low-Income Seniors and Other Vulnerable Residents

Should you have questions, please contact Sarah Worley, Business Engagement Manager at sworley@cityofdavis.org, or at 530-400-8177 for assistance.