In January 2021, Pizzeria Ortica, which has since gone out of business, filed a class action complaint against the county, the Orange County Health Care Agency, and the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). In June 2021, an almost identical complaint was filed by Darya Restaurant against the county and ABC.

The complaints alleged businesses continued to pay their health permit fees and license fees despite being closed, or having extremely limited service, during the pandemic.

Both cases were coordinated and the total settlement of both was $1.7 million. Up to $1.273 million of the settlement, after legal fees are paid, will be given back or credited to restaurants.

Restaurants will receive a credit against future fees if they paid their annual permit fee between the settlement period of March 17, 2020 to June 15, 2021 and are still in business. If they are no longer in business, but paid fees during the settlement period, they will receive a reimbursement.

The county did have a fee deferral program in place and for restaurants that may have taken advantage, a credit against those fees owned will be given.

Similar lawsuits were also filed in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego counties as well as in Northern California counties. In San Diego County, a settlement of $4.5 million over permit fees was finalized.

 “Orange County has joined a growing list of California counties and agencies doing the right thing,” said plaintiff attorney Brian Kabateck in a statement. “The counties received state and federal. Coronavirus relief money, so it makes sense for them to step up and reimburse restaurants for services they couldn’t use.”

The Orange County Health Agency declined to comment further. A spokesperson for ABC said the action involving ABC remains pending in the court of appeal and the department cannot comment on current litigation.

“Great restaurants provide meaningful work and purpose to thousands of our residents, and I’m thrilled that we can provide additional financial relief to our hardworking local business owners,” said Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley in a statement.

Link to article: OC approves $1.7 million settlement with restaurants over fees during COVID-19 closuresOperational Fees During COVID-19 Lockdown