Proposed Bill AB 1217 Could Offer Much-Needed Relief to California Restaurants Facing New Fees and Restrictions on Outdoor Dining

Legislation would preempt local ordinances and preserve regulatory flexibility for struggling neighborhood restaurants

By Sam Catanzaro

A new bill proposed by California Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Woodland Hills) could offer relief to restaurants struggling to maintain outdoor dining amid new fees being imposed and proposed by municipalities including Santa Monica and Los Angeles. 

“Neighborhood restaurants are the backbone of communities across California, but too many are barely hanging on by a thread,” said Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel. “Outdoor dining has been a critical lifeline that has helped these beloved establishments keep their doors open during these challenging times.”

Assembly Bill 1217 would extend the benefits of state and local programs, such as L.A. Al Fresco, which streamlined the application process and waived fees for restaurants and bars that had to move dining outside due to indoor seating restrictions. The proposed bill would supersede city and county ordinances that require new permit applications and fees for restaurants hoping to maintain their Al Fresco program setups, offering much-needed relief to the industry.

“Outdoor dining has become an important lifeline for restaurants, and it’s something that we have all come to love and enjoy,” stated Madelyn Alfano, Past Chair of the California Restaurant Association Board of Directors and owner of Maria’s Italian Kitchen, a neighborhood Italian restaurant locations across Los Angeles including in Brentwood and Westwood. “Many restaurant owners have invested lots of money to build beautiful outdoor dining spaces to increase their capacity for private events and recoup some of their losses from these difficult past few years. AB 1217 will help sustain this crucial tool and allow local restaurants such as my own to continue to provide delicious meals for our communities.”

This new bill builds on a previous measure, AB 61, authored by Gabriel and signed into law by Governor Newsom in 2021. AB 61 allowed restaurants to have more regulatory flexibility on various issues, such as outdoor food preparation and service, using their own spaces to increase outdoor dining capacity, and serving alcohol on outdoor premises.

If passed, the proposed bill would extend current temporary relief measures, such as conditional use permits for outdoor dining expansion and parklet conversion to al fresco seating, offering more permanence to the restaurant industry amid uncertainties and additional pandemic-induced operating costs.

AB 1217 comes at a crucial time as the City of Los Angeles has proposed a new ordinance that will introduce new restrictions and fees on outdoor dining, requiring restaurants to apply for expensive new permits for existing patios. Should AB 1217 be passed, it would preempt this ordinance and help local restaurants avoid costly and confusing red tape to keep their outdoor dining operations open. Similarly, restaurants in Santa Monica have been pushing back against the new permitting officials have implemented in the city.  

“It definitely feels like it’s the end of an era right now,” said Brian Bornemann, chef and founder of sustainable seafood restaurant Crudo e Nudo on Main Street an interview with the Santa Monica Mirror last month. “It’s the opposite to helping small businesses. They’re trying to penalize you at all costs.” 

Although the bill is in its nascent stages, Gabriel expects a hearing in the coming weeks. Should the bill pass the assembly, it could be moved to Gov. Gavin Newsom around September, with the governor determining whether to sign the bill and others into law during the fall.

Related Posts

‘All Stars’ National Night Out Coming to Santa Monica on Tuesday

August 1, 2025

August 1, 2025

The event, themed “Santa Monica All Stars,” aims to foster police-community partnerships through a sports-inspired evening The Santa Monica Police...

THIS WEEKEND: 49th Annual Festival of the Chariots to Roll Through Santa Monica and Venice

August 1, 2025

August 1, 2025

The festival site at Ocean Front Walk Plaza will transform into a lively showcase of Indian culture, expecting around 50,000...

Newsom Curbs Housing Density in Fire-Scarred Palisades

August 1, 2025

August 1, 2025

The executive order imposes a seven-day pause on SB 9 projects, which permit duplexes and lot splits on single-family parcels,...

Aging Mindfully: Zen-Inspired Senior Living Takes Shape in Simi Valley

July 31, 2025

July 31, 2025

Two Zen-inspired senior living communities are embracing the reality of aging — consciously. Ensō Village, open since 2023 in Sonoma County,...

Getty Villa to Stage ‘Oedipus the King, Mama!’ for 19th Annual Outdoor Classical Theater

July 31, 2025

July 31, 2025

This vibrant reimagining of Sophocles’ classic tragedy blends the ancient tale of Oedipus with the music of Elvis Presley The...

Texas Kitchen Chain to Open Santa Monica Location at Former Fresh Corn Grill Site

July 31, 2025

July 31, 2025

The Santa Monica outpost will occupy a 3,050-square-foot space featuring a newly built kitchen and a large outdoor patio HomeState,...

(Video) Mystery Continues to Surround Venice Canal Dog Deaths, Health Officials Investigate

July 31, 2025

July 31, 2025

A Seventh Dog’s Death has Been Reported as Officials Urge Canine Owners to Report Any Related Cases (Video) Mystery Continues...

(Video) Why Do Signs in Palisades Demand that Mayor Bass Resign?

July 30, 2025

July 30, 2025

Although the Mayor has issued an array of orders and actions to expedite recovery, some remain discontent Why Do Signs...

Palisades Sushi Restaurant Reopens After Wildfires, Offering Japanese-Thai Fusion Menu

July 30, 2025

July 30, 2025

The restaurant, located in the Highlands, faced significant challenges during the closure, with restricted access to the area Moku Sushi,...

New Beginnings in Brentwood: Dr. Marian Oppenheimer Opens Private Psychology Practice at wellpeople

July 30, 2025

July 30, 2025

For more than 30 years, Dr. Marian Oppenheimer has dedicated herself to one clear purpose: helping people heal, grow, and...

City Council Removes DTSM Board Members Amid Transparency and Governance Concerns

July 30, 2025

July 30, 2025

The council’s decision follows tensions between DTSM and the city, including disputes over parking rate increases and maintenance agreements The...

Organization Sues Coastal Commission Over Ballona Wetlands Gas Project

July 30, 2025

July 30, 2025

The lawsuit claims the commission engaged in “piecemealing” by treating a well abandonment as a standalone project, despite its connection...

Officials Push to Halt Lot-Split Housing in Fire-Prone Palisades

July 29, 2025

July 29, 2025

Pali leaders warn that SB 9 — a law that allows duplexes and lot splits on single-family parcels — is...

Wildfire Price Gouging Protections Extended for Displaced Residents

July 29, 2025

July 29, 2025

These provisions limit rent increases and hotel rate hikes during a declared emergency and prohibit landlords from evicting tenants The...

Wallis Annenberg, Visionary Philanthropist and Civic Leader, Dies at 86

July 29, 2025

July 29, 2025

Philanthropist Expanded Foundation’s Reach From Arts to Conservation Wallis Annenberg, a prominent philanthropist and longtime leader of the Annenberg Foundation, died...