LB28: OPEN FOR BUSINESS INITIATIVE
Making Long Beach one of the easiest cities in California to open and grow a business.
Long Beach has incredible entrepreneurs and neighborhood business districts, but too many storefronts sit empty because the process of opening a business is slow, confusing, and expensive. This Action Plan lays out how Chris Sweeney will change that.
THE PROBLEM
TODAY, BUSINESSES OFTEN FACE:
multiple departments reviewing permits
long approval
timelines
unclear
requirements
repeated
inspections
These delays can cost small businesses thousands of dollars in rent before they even open.
OUR GOAL FOR LONG BEACH
Chris Sweeney will make Long Beach one of the easiest cities in California to open and grow a business.
Cut business permitting times in half and reduce vacant storefronts by 50% within two years.
HOW WE'LL GET THERE
Business Express Permitting
Create a cross-department team (Planning, Fire, Health, Public Works) that processes business permits together instead of separately.
Goal: Cut approval timelines by 50%.
Fast-Track Previously Approved Spaces
If a restaurant, salon, retail store, or similar business already existed in a location, a new business with a similar use should be able to open quickly.
Goal: Open businesses in weeks, not months.
Vacant Storefront Activation Program
Work with chambers of commerce, workforce organizations, and property owners to fill empty commercial spaces.
Goal: Reduce vacant storefronts by 50% within two years.
Small Business Concierge Office
Entrepreneurs should not have to navigate City Hall alone. Chris will create a Small Business Concierge Office to help business owners navigate permits and city services.
Goal: 48 hour response time.
DIVE DEEPER
Launch the Business Express Permitting & Fast-Track Systems
Who: The Mayor’s Office will coordinate with the Planning Department, Fire Department, Public Works, and the Health Department. What: Establish a cross-department permitting team to streamline approvals for new businesses. How: • Coordinate permit reviews across departments simultaneously • Reduce duplicate inspections • Establish standard approval timelines Timeline for Delivery: • Cross-department permitting task force established within 45 days • Express permitting pilot program launched within 60 days • Standardized permit timelines published within 75 days Goal: Reduce small business permit approval timelines by 50% within the first year.
Establish the Small Business Concierge Office
Who: The Mayor’s Office will establish the office within the Economic Development Department. What: Create a dedicated team to help entrepreneurs navigate permits, licensing, and city services. How: • Provide direct assistance to business owners • Coordinate communication across city departments • Connect entrepreneurs with financing and workforce resources Timeline for Delivery: • Office structure announced within 45 days • Staff assignments completed within 60 days • Public launch of Small Business Concierge services within 75 days Goal: Every business inquiry receives an initial response within 48 hours.
Launch the Vacant Storefront Activation Program
Who: The Mayor’s Office will partner with the Economic Development Department, local chambers of commerce, commercial property owners, and workforce organizations. What: Create a citywide effort to return empty commercial spaces to productive use. How: • Fast-track permits for businesses occupying previously approved commercial spaces • Allow expedited approval for similar uses • Provide outreach to entrepreneurs and small business operators Timeline for Delivery: • Vacant storefront inventory completed within 60 days • Expedited permit guidelines issued within 75 days • Business recruitment and outreach program launched within 90 days Goal: Reduce vacant storefronts across Long Beach by 50% within two years.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR OUR COMMUNITY
By revitalizing our neighborhood corridors and filling empty storefronts, we are creating a Long Beach that feels alive and full of opportunity. This plan ensures that local entrepreneurs can grow, creating high-quality jobs and building safe, walkable streets where families can thrive together.
Chris Sweeney is dedicated to a future where every neighborhood reaches its full potential through action, accountability, and community pride.