Business Reopening

The timeline for reopening Santa Monica businesses will align with Los Angeles County and the State of California. Where the two conflict, the City will follow whichever guidance is stricter. Every business must comply with public health reopening guidelines, which include physical distancing and infection control practices.

Reopening Protocols

Every business must follow LA County’s public health reopening protocols for their sector. Find yours at https://covid19.lacounty.gov/recovery/ and publichealth.lacounty.gov/coronavirus.

Business Occupancy Capacity Guidance

The City of Santa Monica has issued local guidance for businesses who are required to re-open at a limited capacity. The local guidance will be aligned with the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health and will specifically apply to retail establishments, restaurants, and gyms.

Business Reduced Capacity Guidance

Business Occupancy Sign

>> The Santa Monica Cares Toolkit includes decals and signage for you to use as part of implementing your social distancing protocol.

Outdoor Business Operations

Southern California Edison has released guidelines at sce.com/safety to help businesses operate safely without interfering with SCE's abiliyt to provide customers with a safe and reliable supply of electricity.

Do's and Don'ts of Temporary Outdoor Use of Public Areas

Outdoor Dining Requirements

Restaurants must adhere to public health regulations, which include printed communications to customers.

Print/Post Door Flyer

Table Tent

Face Shield + Face Mask: Restaurant staff must wear both when in the service areas, including hosts, runners, and bussers
Canopy Requirements: Restaurants are allowed to have canopies/tents with only two tents sides down so long as they are not contiguous. Please remember two of your four walls must be open at all times to allow for air circulation.
Post the latest Protocol for Restaurants, Breweries and Wineries: Appendix I
Post Public Health Reminders at entrances and on all tables.

Flyer (English | Spanish)
Table Top (Bilingual)
Free hard copies are available for pickup from Santa Monica Travel Tourism, 2327 Main St., Weds. – Sun., 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Tables must be spaced at least 8’ apart from any other table, with a maximum of six (6) seats at each table, even if barriers between tables are in place.

Free Santa Monica Cares Signs

Don’t lose a patron due to a missing face covering! Pick up a box of disposable face coverings and promotional yard signs, while supplies last.

Available for Free. Please contact info@santamonica.gov to arrange a time.

PPE (disposable face covers)
Floor Clings
Public Health Signage
Yard Signs
Waterproof Temporary Closure Signs

Santa Monica Shines COVID-19 Assurance Program/Santa Mónica Brilla COVID-19 Programa de Garantía

The Santa Monica Shines COVID-19 Assurance Program is a new platform geared to help our business community understand and meet COVID-19 safety requirements. The FREE online program is designed to support businesses safely reopen and operate during this health emergency. This achievement includes a window cling to proudly display to our community!

El Santa Mónica Brilla COVID-19 Programa de Garantía, una nueva plataforma orientado a ayudar a nuesta comunidad de negocios comprender y cumplir con los requisitos de seguridad de COVID-19. El programa GRATUITO en línea está diseÑado para apoyar a los negocios a reabrir de forma segura y operar durante este emergencia de salud. Este logre incluye una etiqueta para la ventana para mostrar con orgullo a nuestra comunidad!

Start the COVID-19 Assurance Program

Plastic Bag Ban Resumes

The City’s plastic bag ban resumed on July 1, 2020. This means customers can resume bringing reusable bags when making essential trips. >>Learn more.

Santa Monica Cares Reopening Toolkit

Created in collaboration with City partners. Includes: Signage for curbside pickup and health rules; floor decals, graphics for email, web, and social media.

>>Download from Google Drive

>>Review the Santa Monica Cares Program Overview and Guidelines. Includes copy you can use.

County of Los Angeles. COVID-19 public health signage

LA County has helpful COVID-19 related signage and flyers translated into many languages on a wide range of topics, including handwashing, wearing cloth face coverings, and physical distancing. Find the files at publichealth.lacounty.gov/coronavirus.