LOS ANGELES – Councilmember Ysabel Jurado introduced a motion today directing City departments to study the feasibility of establishing Entertainment Zones in Downtown Los Angeles under Senate Bill 969, with a focus on supporting economic recovery, activating public spaces, and ensuring strong public safety and community safeguards.
Read the motion here.
“Downtown Los Angeles is one of the strongest economic and cultural engines of our City, but our local businesses, hospitality workers, restaurants, bars, and cultural corridors are still recovering from years of disruption,” said Councilmember Jurado. “This motion asks whether Los Angeles can design Entertainment Zones in a way that is safe, structured, locally controlled, and responsive to community concerns. This is not about creating a free-for-all. It is about exploring whether managed public space activation can support economic recovery while maintaining strong safeguards for residents, workers, visitors, and neighborhoods.”
Signed into law in 2024, SB 969 expanded local authority for cities to establish designated Entertainment Zones where, under specific local rules and conditions, people may purchase alcohol from licensed businesses and consume it within defined public areas. The law includes requirements related to local oversight, public safety, and periodic review.
Jurado’s motion directs City departments to analyze the state law, evaluate potential implementation requirements and safeguards, and provide recommendations regarding whether and how Entertainment Zones could responsibly function within Downtown.
Downtown continues to face economic and public space challenges, including reduced foot traffic and the ongoing impacts of the pandemic and broader economic disruptions.
Supporters of the motion have pointed to its potential as a tool to help strengthen local businesses, encourage activity in commercial corridors, support tourism and hospitality industries, and create more active public spaces.
“Entertainment Zones will reimagine our city’s business hospitality sector, allowing Los Angeles to create lively and engaging public spaces where families can gather and adults can responsibly support local businesses,” said Miguel Vargas, Executive Director of the Arts District Los Angeles BID. “The economic vibrancy and vitality of Downtown Los Angeles is still struggling to return to pre-pandemic levels, and our city needs to capitalize on every opportunity to attract more visitors, increase foot traffic, and boost spending in local Downtown establishments.”
“The City’s active engagement of Downtown stakeholders to explore this innovative initiative gives hope to our businesses feeling the challenges of economic disruptions,” said Blair Besten, Executive Director of the Historic Core BID. “Establishing policy for Entertainment Zones will help lead economic recovery for Downtown and a brighter future for Council District 14.”
Under the direction of Jurado’s motion, City departments would evaluate the following:
Permitting and zoning requirements
Potential effects on nearby residents and quality of life
Noise and neighborhood impacts
Accessibility and public right-of-way impacts
Transportation and mobility considerations
Sanitation and operational planning
Public safety and law enforcement coordination
Liability and enforcement considerations
The motion also requires public hearings and outreach involving Council District 14 stakeholders, including small businesses, hospitality specialists, cultural organizations, Business Improvement Districts, Neighborhood Councils, and other community stakeholders to help shape recommendations and ensure community priorities are reflected in the process.
The motion will next be considered by the City Council’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee before advancing to the full City Council for final consideration and action. If adopted, City departments would report back within 60 days with an analysis of SB 969, recommendations regarding potential Entertainment Zones in Downtown LA, and feedback gathered through required public outreach and hearings.