Resources for Local Businesses

The safety of our community is essential to the City of San Ramon. We are maintaining close coordination with Contra Costa County Health Services, and health officers from counties throughout the Bay Area, to help inform the public about the latest efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

The City of San Ramon values our local business community, and understand the challenges many within our community are facing during this time. We will continue to update this page with new information and resources for local businesses who need additional support right now—if you would like to submit additional resources, please email [email protected]. 

 

Support from the U.S. Government & State of California

 • Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)  

• The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has information on Disaster Assistance, including low-interest loans  to small businesses and nonprofits that have been severely impacted by COVID-19

• Click here to apply online for Federal Disaster Loan Assistance 

• The State of California’s Employment Development Department (EDD) provides a variety of support services to individuals affected by COVID-19

• The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) has compiled helpful information for employers, employees and all Californians, complete with an FAQ

  

County / Local Support 

• The City of San Ramon has launched a Business Assistance Program to help local businesses and non-profits access State and Federal resources available due to COVID-19.

• Northern California Small Business Development Center and the local chapter, Contra Costa Small Business Development Center, have a helpful COVID-19 Survival Guide 

• Innovation Tri-Valley has a detailed COVID-19 Guide for Businesses and Employees

• The Contra Costa County Workforce Development Board has resources for Employers, Employees, and Job Seekers

• The East Bay Economic Development Alliance has compiled extensive resource information to assist businesses and workers in East Bay communities.

• Certified Public Accountants & Business Advisors Sensiba San Filippo have excellent resources for businesses and individuals

• Sensiba San Filippo answers Questions on Employment Law

• In this Innovation Tri-Valley webinar, held on 3/27/20, trusted Tri-Valley advisors share COVID-19 coping strategies and insights with start-ups, small and medium-sized businesses from Hoge Fenton on Vimeo:

 

Real Estate and Land Use Information

California Association of Realtors 

BISNOW (Real Estate News) COVID-19 Feed

 

Corporate & Business Law Information

CalChamber Advocacy COVID-19 Resources

CARES Act Summary

COVID-19 Government Benefits and Assistance Program

Federal Agencies COVID-19 Response

Operational Tactics for Startups in Combating COVID-19

 

Employment Law Information

Hoge Fenton

 

Official Public Health Notices & Re-Opening Information


Contra Costa County Health Orders, including guidance on which businesses may operate:

• Contra Costa Public Health Order FAQs (click on "Businesses")

• Business that are not yet permitted to operate under the latest Public Health Order are encouraged to "focus on planning to effectively implement social distancing and related measures in their facilities so they are ready to safely reopen when allowed," according to the Executive Summary of the Public Health Order issued by Contra Costa Health Services on April 29.

• The State of California has released Industry Guidance for Businesses to follow when re-opening is permitted by County Health Orders.

 

Official guidance on COVID-19 for Businesses:

• U.S. Center for Disease Control


• California Department of Public Health


• Cal/OSHA Guidance to protect workers from exposure to COVID-19

• EBMUD Guidance on How to Ensure Clean Water for businesses re-opening after a period of non-operation

 

Re-Opening Guidance for Outdoor Dining

As of June 5, outdoor dining is now permitted with modifications under the latest Public Health Order for Contra Costa County.

Contra Costa County's guidelines on re-opening outdoor dining include:

  • Outdoor seating arrangements must limit the number of patrons at a single table to no more than six (6) individuals, all of whom must be from the same household or living unit. Members of separate households or living units are not allowed to dine at the same table.
  • All tables must be separated to ensure that six-feet minimum social distance can easily be maintained between all members of separate households or living units at all times. For clarity, patrons who are members of the same household or living unit and seated together at a table do not need to be six feet apart.
  • Alcohol may be sold to patrons in conjunction with a meal, but it may not be sold separately.
  • Bar areas must remain closed to customers.
  • Entertainment events are not allowed at this time.
  • Outdoor dining, placement of outdoor seating arrangements and food service are subject to local laws, regulations and permitting requirements.
  • Facilities that open for outdoor dining must offer curbside/outside pickup, takeaway, or delivery service alternatives.
  • All food facilities authorized to open under this provision must comply with applicable industry guidance issued by the State of California.

    The State requires the following:
    • Brewpubs, breweries, bars, pubs, craft distilleries, and wineries should remain closed until those establishments are allowed to resume modified or full operation unless they are offering sit-down, dine-in meals. Alcohol can only be sold in the same transaction as a meal.
    • Dine-in restaurants, brewpubs, breweries, bars, pubs, craft distilleries, and wineries that provide sit-down meals should follow the restaurant guidance below and should continue to encourage takeout and delivery service whenever possible.
    • Brewpubs, breweries, bars, pubs, craft distilleries, and wineries that do not provide sit-down meals themselves, but can contract with another vendor to do so, can serve dine-in meals provided both businesses follow the guidance below and alcohol is only sold in the same transaction as a meal.

On May 26, 2020, the San Ramon City Council passed an Interim Policy to Allow Temporary Outdoor Restaurant Seating. This policy is intended to provide these businesses the opportunity to add additional outdoor seating and service areas, where feasible, to accommodate those social distancing requirements and minimize the loss of seating or sales capacity.

The policy and resulting approval are in effect for a period of 120 days following clearance from the Contra Costa County Health Officer for the general public to resume consumer activities with social distancing requirements. As outdoor dining was permitted by the County beginning June 5, 2020, San Ramon’s Interim Policy to Allow Temporary Outdoor Restaurant Seating is in effect through Saturday, September 3, 2020.

Any San Ramon business seeking to add additional outdoor seating or service areas must submit a Temporary Use Permit Application, along with a Site Plan and any additional documentation necessary to explain their proposal.

Key provisions in San Ramon's Interim Policy  include, but are not limited to:

  • All activities shall be confined to private property. The use of public right of way is not permitted as part of this policy.
  • All handicapped accessibility paths of travel shall be maintained.
  • Use of parking spaces for sales areas or dining areas or shall require a physical separation from parking lot traffic to ensure safety. 
  • The applicant shall obtain and comply with any Alcoholic Beverage Control permit or requirements for the onsite consumption of alcohol.


More Information:

Contra Costa County Guidelines for Outdoor Restaurants (item 9)

State of California Industry Guidance for Dine-In Restaurants

Complete City of San Ramon Interim Policy to Allow Temporary Outdoor Restaurant Seating

City of San Ramon Temporary Use Permit Application


Questions?
Contact Planning Services 925-973-2560