The Board of Supervisors of the San Mateo County authorized the local Health Department to establish a program to provide relief from permit fees paid by some local small businesses, which will help them recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Indeed, the COVID-19 pandemic and the series of state and local health orders restricting economic activity had a devastating impact on many parts of San Mateo County's economy, with revenue losses especially affecting small businesses.
According to the county, approximately 5.0 percent of food retail businesses regulated by Environmental Health Services (EHS) have been permanently closed and many have struggled with reduced or even completely curtailed operations for more than a year.
"Many local businesses are just getting ready for normal operation after 15 months of struggling," said Supervisor Dave Pine. "Providing relief from permit fees is one way to help local businesses get up and running as quickly as possible."
For his part, Supervisor Warren Slocum said San Mateo County has a strong history of helping small businesses during the pandemic.
"I am proud to be a co-sponsor of the 'Environmental Health Permit Fee Relief Program' that will save our struggling businesses more than $5 million over the next year," he said.
Environmental Health Services performs regulatory oversight of more than 14,000 businesses, implementing state regulations for operations in both incorporated and unincorporated areas of the county.
Types of regulated businesses include retail food, spas, medical waste, hazardous materials and/or waste storage, body art, massage, retail tobacco, stormwater, multi-family housing, and short-term rentals, among many businesses.
Annual permits and inspections performed by EHS are paid for on a fee-for-service basis, which means that businesses must pay the cost of the regulatory service and the issuance of the associated permits.
EHS fees are based on the average time it takes to monitor the business, which is influenced by the size of the business and complexity of the operation, the risk to public health or the environment, and the associated inspection frequency.
The relief provided through this program is expected to benefit more than 5,400 businesses throughout the county.
The fee categories and industries covered by the program include certain businesses in: retail food; public pools and spas; body art and massage; hotels/motels/bed & breakfasts; and commercial and industrial sectors.
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