BUSINESS ADVOCACY

The West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce (WHCC) supports our diverse business community by representing the interests of business in government and political action.

The Chamber has a very active Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC), comprised of active Chamber Members, which meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month at the Chamber office at 4:00 p.m. This Committee is proactive in addressing governmental affairs and legislative issues that relate to the business community, letting our members know about laws that will affect them, and most importantly by taking a stand either for or against issues that can relate to the health of your business.

GAC committee also represents Chamber Member support requests regarding specific business development, issues and/ or challenges.  Our relationship with the City is one of mutual respect, with the understanding that the Chamber will always advocate for the business community. For GAC Support Request Guidelines click here. 

Your Chamber is constantly working “behind the scenes” for your benefit, keeping an eye on “job killer” legislation, requesting modifications or completely opposing those that we think will make doing business harder for you. We also look for legislation that will help your business grow and support those bills. By sending letters, making phone calls, educating the public and our members on the effects of these bills and donating money to “pro-business” candidates, we impact your ability to do business here. 

Our West Hollywood Political Action Committee (WEHOPAC) is a separate entity which looks to cultivate business friendly candidates for government and makes contributions to candidates running for office, or take positions on State issues which affect the business community. 

Additionally, the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce CEO serves on the board of the Westside Council of Chambers (WC3), comprised of 13 Chambers from Hollywood to Malibu to LAX Coastal.  These Chambers collectively take positions on legislation which affects business and industries on the Westside of Los Angeles ad which is appropriate to the adopted Policy Pillars.  The WC3 Policy Pillars PDF is available by clicking here. 

To learn how you can have a more active role in affecting legislation or to join GAC, call the Chamber office at 323-650-2688.

WEST HOLLYWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE VOTER GUIDE

November 2020

Proposition 15 – Vote NO
We can’t afford the largest property tax increase in the history of California!
More information: https://noonprop15.org/

Proposition 21 – Vote NO
We need REAL solutions to our housing crisis!
More information: https://noonprop21.vote/

Proposition 22 – Vote YES
Save app-based jobs and services!
More information: https://yeson22.com/

Los Angeles Unified School District Measure RR – Vote YES
Repair and Renovate L. A.’s Schools!
More information: https://www.yesonrrforlaschools.com/

City of West Hollywood Measure E – Vote YES
Prevent cuts to vital City services!
More information: https://weho.org/MeasureE

PROPOSED PARKING REDUCTIONS AND SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT PROCESS CHANGES ARE GAME CHANGERS FOR DOING BUSINESS IN WEST HOLLYWOOD

September 2018

PARKING REQUIREMENTS
Over a decade in the making, the City of West Hollywood is finally proposing the new changes to codes and zoning that will greatly improve the process for opening and operating a business in West Hollywood.   

The West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has been advocating for these amendments for years. Our work on The Small Business Initiative was used as a tool to help provide input and collaborate with the City’s Economic Development –Department (EDD) on what would be helpful for new businesses to open such as parking requirements, as well as the process and fees related to special event permit applications. 

Excerpt from the City staff report: 
At its April 17, 2017 meeting, City Council directed staff to initiate an analysis of the feasibility of reducing commercial off-street parking requirements. Parking is an ongoing concern for businesses in West Hollywood. The results of the Small Business Survey and discussions with commercial real estate brokers confirmed that reducing parking requirements for businesses is one policy that the City can change to benefit business owners. Current parking requirements can make it very difficult to open or operate a business in a built-out environment like West Hollywood due to the lack of available parking options and associated costs of leasing off-site commercial parking. These requirements also make it challenging to change land uses for existing properties resulting in properties remaining vacant longer than desired.  The proposed amendment would  READ MORE

CITY COUNCIL PASSES TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT (TDM) ORDINANCE

July 2018

On July 9th, West Hollywood City Council approved a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) policy for businesses. Based on the collective feedback during this process including a “listening session” with members of the business community, City staff presented a scaled down the focus of the ordinance. 
For nearly a year, the West Hollywood Chamber aggressively advocated a program that would not adversely affect businesses and ensure that there was no onerous burden on the small businesses in our community. We were successful in our efforts and therefore the TDM ordinance which passed earlier this month has no employer thresholds required but instead, the ordinance will be focused on the role of new development in reducing vehicle trips. 

The structure of the program is based on a point system with a menu of transportation options for developers to choose from for residential and commercial projects. A menu of these TDM options and the point system adopted can be accessed above.  READ MORE

​SACRAMENTO ADVOCACY TRIP

May 2018

On May 23 and 24, a delegation of five West Hollywood Chamber members and our President and CEO, Genevieve Morrill, traveled to Sacramento to lobby on legislation of importance to the West Hollywood Business Community. With a list of 11 bills in hand – covering issues from nightlife to cannabis, healthcare, housing, transportation, state funding for our local AIDS Monument to proposed new laws on how hotels and restaurants operate – the delegation met with Assemblymember Richard Bloom and Senator Ben Allen, both of whom represent West Hollywood in the State Legislature. 

The delegation also met with Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), author of SB 905 which would allow seven cities, including West Hollywood, to extend liquor sales until 4 a.m., and Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Long Beach), author of SB 1302 which precludes local governments from prohibiting cannabis deliveries from nearby localities. Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) and Assemblymember Dante Acosta (R-Santa Clarita) took time to meet with our delegation to discuss our legislative priorities.

A highlight of the trip was when READ MORE