CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to commercial tenancies; temporarily restricting increases in commercial rents; authorizing repayment of late rent in installments for small businesses and nonprofits; declaring an emergency; and establishing an immediate effective date; all by a 3/4 vote of the City Council.
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WHEREAS, the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020; and
WHEREAS, self-distancing (keep 6 feet of distance between individuals) has been recommended to deter the spread of the virus; and
WHEREAS, the Governor of Washington has declared a state of emergency, prohibited gatherings of 50 or more people, and limited gatherings of fewer than 50 people, in an effort to slow transmission and contraction of the disease; and
WHEREAS, the Governor of Washington has further required the closure of all non-essential places of work;
WHEREAS, such a ban and closure in conjunction with self-distancing means cancellations of large events, a decrease in the number of people patronizing places of business, and the temporary closure of many small businesses and not-for-profit organizations, resulting in the loss of income for businesses in multiple industries, including the service and entertainment industries; and
WHEREAS, the economic disruptions caused by COVID-19 will increase the likelihood of businesses and nonprofits struggling to meet existing financial commitments; and
WHEREAS, unplanned increases in rent can result in additional financial burdens on small businesses and not-for-profits that threaten their viability; and
WHEREAS, The City of Seattle has a heightened interest in preventing more small businesses from closing; and
WHEREAS, it is in the public interest to control increases in commercial rents and provide for alternative means of payment of rent during the state of emergency;
WHEREAS, the Counc...
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