A bill that would let pop-up food businesses open in Los Angeles within weeks instead of months has reached Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk.

Assembly Bill 1679, co-authored by Assemblymember Mark González of Downtown LA, would create a fast-track permit allowing limited food preparation businesses to operate for three months, with possible extensions. Under the current system, businesses in LA can wait up to eight months for inspections before opening, LAmag reported Thursday, Aug. 27.

The bill targets a specific pain point for LA's food entrepreneurs: the city's strict classification-based permitting system. Permitted activities under the streamlined process would include heating, frying, baking, roasting, blending, steaming, boiling of hot dogs and assembly of non-prepackaged food, following LA County Department of Public Health guidelines.

"Securing a permit shouldn't need a pop quiz in city law," González said. "This bill breaks down the nightmares of navigating complex permits — allowing the pop-ups that bring life and vibrancy to our downtowns to access permits faster and for longer durations."

González represents Assembly District 54, which includes Downtown LA. His district office sits at 320 W. 4th St., in a neighborhood where empty storefronts have lingered since the pandemic shuttered restaurants, cafes and bars.

The LAmag report noted that the core problem is not a lack of desire among entrepreneurs to open permanent spaces. The barrier is the cost and time needed to bring buildings up to code, with inspections alone stretching months.

The legislation comes as small food businesses continue to test LA's market through unconventional setups. Dover Sole Market, a pop-up fish market owned by Kelsey Sachi Lee, sells Hawaii-sourced poke out of parking lots in Koreatown, L.A. TACO reported on Aug. 27.

Newsom has not publicly indicated whether he will sign the bill. No deadline for his decision has been announced.