Agoura Retail Establishments Allowed To Operate Outdoors

AGOURA HILLS, CA — The Agoura Hills City Council unanimously approved a resolution to help retail businesses struggling from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The urgency ordinance from the director of emergency services was approved Wednesday. The order allows Agoura Hills retail establishments to put forth temporary outdoor retail displays, hold outdoor sales for an extended amount of time, and forgo usual permit fees.

The order bypasses usual zoning restrictions related to signs and outdoor retail. Because current COVID restricts only allow retail establishments to operate at 50 percent capacity, Agoura stores will now be able to attract more customers by operating outside and putting up temporary pop-up shopping stalls.

Businesses will be able to operate outdoors so long as they do not block sidewalks, operate in residential zones, or produce any noise.

This is one of a number of measures the city has taken to help its local businesses. In early June, they allowed restaurants to operate outside in public spaces, and Councilmembers visited each one of the restaurants to check on their progress. The city also donated $30,000 to the Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce’s grant program, which gives $2500 grants to Valley businesses, regardless of their membership status.