December | 2025

BOMA/GLA’s Board recently approved a new Immigration Position Statement that reinforces a critical principle for our industry: property managers and service providers should not be placed in the role of immigration enforcement. The statement affirms the need for clear, consistent policies that protect workplace stability, respect worker rights, and allow commercial properties to operate safely and without unnecessary disruption. 

This position equips BOMA/GLA to advocate effectively on behalf of members when immigration enforcement actions or regulations threaten building operations, workforce stability, or create legal ambiguity for property stakeholders. By clearly defining where our industry stands, we ensure that the commercial real estate perspective is represented in policy discussions—keeping members protected, informed, and at the forefront of decisions that directly impact their buildings and businesses. 

As LA City Council begins grappling with a near $1 billion dollar budget shortfall, they are considering a slew of potential taxes. The two that could significantly increase costs for commercial buildings are a Parking Occupancy Tax (POT) increase and a new Vacancy Tax. Both are moving through the Budget & Finance Committee and could be placed on upcoming ballots as early as 2026. 

What’s Being Proposed 

Parking Occupancy Tax Increase 🚨 

The City is considering raising the POT from 10% to as high as 20%. This tax applies to most paid parking—including tenant, employee, visitor, and customer parking - directly increasing costs for buildings and the people who use them. 

Commercial Vacancy Tax 🚨 

This proposal would penalize “unused” properties and is already being discussed with a focus on commercial buildings, despite market conditions and long lease-up timelines outside an owner’s control. 

Why It Matters 

Together, these proposals would raise operating costs, undermine tenant retention and leasing, and further challenge already-strained commercial corridors—particularly Downtown and other high-cost districts. Rather than addressing the root causes of vacancy and reduced demand, these taxes would increase financial pressure on properties working to reinvest and stabilize. 

BOMA/GLA Is Taking Action 📣 

BOMA/GLA is actively coordinating with the Los Angeles Parking Association (LAPA) to provide educational outreach to Council offices regarding the negative impacts increasing the parking tax would have on the entire City. As well as actively talking against a CRE vacancy tax. 

👉 Stay tuned to BOMA on the Frontline for updates, action alerts, and opportunities to engage. 


📩 Interested in joining our coalition efforts? Email us to get involved and share how these proposals would affect your properties. 

DTLA Happy Hour

BOMA/GLA wrapped up the year with a successful happy hour in DTLA alongside Assemblymember Mark González. Members connected with peers and engaged in a candid discussion on issues impacting commercial real estate, safety, and economic vitality. We appreciate Assemblymember González’s insights and commitment to collaboration and Manulife Plaza/Michael Rosenzweig for hosting.

We strongly urge our members to get more involved by joining one of our Policy Committees, where members tackle real-world challenges facing commercial properties across Greater Los Angeles.

From sustainability and building regulations to security and emerging technologies, our committees provide practical insights, regulatory updates, and peer-to-peer collaboration that directly impact your operations.

Whether you’re interested in ESG, LADBS and Fire Code compliance, emergency preparedness, or property technology and AI, there’s a committee aligned with your expertise and interests.

For example, our Property Technology Committee recently convened a panel discussion featuring top voices in emerging building technologies. These industry leaders in property technology, AI, and sustainability came together to explore how innovation is cutting operating expenses, improving building performance, and elevating tenant experiences.

Committee participation is a great way to stay ahead of policy changes, share best practices, and help guide BOMA/GLA’s positions on critical issues affecting the CRE industry. 

Interested in joining for 2026? Email our staff liaison, Ashley Rheaume, to get involved and be part of the conversation shaping our industry’s future. 

The Government Affairs Committee (GAC) has approved an Adaptive Reuse Position Paper that will be sent to the BOMA/GLA Board of Directors for consideration. The paper calls for modernized rules that make it easier to convert underused commercial buildings into housing or mixed-use projects.

Adaptive reuse can help reduce vacancies and stabilize property values. Faster approvals and fewer regulatory hurdles lower costs and project risk. Practical seismic retrofit policies can improve safety without making projects financially unworkable.

Our GAC is also planning a strategy for battling those LA city tax proposals that could be damaging to the industry.  

BOMA/GLA’s Political Action Committee (PAC) is our industry’s advocacy engine, enabling us to support candidates and elected officials who understand the needs of commercial real estate. 

Our PAC is working closely with business partners like the Central City Association (CCA), the Los Angeles County Business Federation (BizFed), the Hollywood Chamber, the LA Chamber and many more to vet candidates running for office in the City of Los Angeles.  

Many of our PAC and Government Affairs members will be heading to the U.S. Capitol to advocate for the commercial real estate industry, bringing our priorities directly to our Los Angeles-area representatives. 

BOMA/GLA is advancing policies that strengthen the industry and support our members. Here's how we’re translating our advocacy priorities into meaningful action: 

Priorities in Action: Fighting Unfunded Taxes


We are actively engaging with Council offices and partners like the Los Angeles Parking Association (LAPA) to highlight the negative impact of proposed Parking Occupancy and Vacancy Taxes. Our outreach emphasizes how these measures could increase costs, disrupt leasing, and slow economic recovery in key commercial districts.

Read more here.

BOMA/GLA’s advocacy remains strong and focused on delivering real solutions for commercial property owners and managers.

Stay informed and engaged by following BOMA on the Frontline and participating in upcoming advocacy events.

Stay informed about the latest advocacy developments and opportunities to take action. 

ANNUAL PARTNERS