January | 2026

BOMA/GLA’s Political Action Committee kicked off the year by conducting early interviews with Los Angeles City Council candidates - an important step in ensuring the commercial real estate perspective is heard before policy positions are set and ballots are cast.

These early conversations matter. City Council decisions directly shape the policies that affect building operations every day, from taxes and fees to the regulatory red tape that can slow projects, increase costs, and complicate compliance for property owners and managers. Proposed measures such as parking occupancy taxes and commercial vacancy taxes may seem abstract at first glance, but they carry real consequences for operating expenses, tenant affordability, and the long-term vitality of commercial districts.

By engaging candidates early and supporting business-minded leaders who understand the role commercial real estate plays in job creation, economic recovery, and neighborhood stability, BOMA/GLA’s PAC helps ensure members’ concerns are represented where decisions are made - keeping members informed, protected, and at the forefront of local policy discussions.

As Los Angeles City Council confronts a projected budget deficit approaching $1 billion, policymakers are weighing several new revenue proposals. Two under active consideration would have an outsized impact on commercial real estate: a potential increase to the Parking Occupancy Tax (POT) and a proposed Commercial Vacancy Tax. Both are currently being discussed in the Budget & Finance Committee and could advance toward the ballot as soon as this year.

What’s Under Discussion

Parking Occupancy Tax Increase  

City leaders are exploring an increase to the POT from the current 10% to rates that could reach as high as 20%. This tax applies broadly to paid parking -including tenant, employee, visitor, and customer parking - meaning higher costs for building operations and for those who rely on commercial properties every day.

Commercial Vacancy Tax  

This proposal would impose penalties on properties deemed “unused,” with early discussions already targeting commercial buildings. It fails to account for market-driven vacancy, extended lease-up periods, and economic conditions outside an owner’s control.

Why This Matters to Members 

Taken together, these proposals would significantly raise operating expenses, complicate leasing and tenant retention, and place additional strain on already challenged commercial corridors - particularly Downtown Los Angeles and other high-cost submarkets. Rather than addressing the underlying causes of vacancy and reduced demand, these measures risk discouraging reinvestment and slowing recovery.

BOMA/GLA Advocacy in Action  

BOMA/GLA is actively engaging on both proposals. We are coordinating with the Los Angeles Parking Association to educate Council offices on the broader economic and operational impacts of increasing the parking tax, while also pushing back against the concept of a commercial vacancy tax that would further burden struggling properties

👉 Continue following BOMA on the Frontline for timely updates, advocacy alerts, and opportunities to engage.

📩 Interested in joining coalition efforts or sharing how these proposals would affect your buildings? Email us to get involved. 

PAC Candidate Interviews: Council Districts 3 & 9



BOMA/GLA’s Political Action Committee conducted early interviews with Los Angeles City Council candidates from Districts 3 and 9 - two regions facing distinct but equally critical commercial real estate challenges.

In Council District 3 (San Fernando Valley), conversations centered on neighborhood-serving commercial corridors, parking and access, and the cumulative impact of city fees and regulations on local businesses and property operations.

In Council District 9 (South Los Angeles), discussions focused on economic revitalization, investment barriers, public safety, and how policy decisions influence job creation, tenant stability, and reinvestment in long-standing commercial districts.

By engaging candidates early and regionally, BOMA/GLA ensures that member concerns - from operating costs to regulatory pressure - are raised before policy decisions are finalized. This proactive advocacy helps keep members’ priorities visible, relevant, and at the forefront of local decision-making. 

Our Codes & Regulations Committee started off the year with a policy-focused discussion on building and safety priorities, including updates on post–Palisades Fire recovery, expedited permitting timelines, and continued concerns with the City’s self-certification programs.

To strengthen our advocacy efforts, Codes will convene a joint meeting with the Government Affairs Committee to align on priority policy asks we plan to raise with Los Angeles City Council and the Mayor—most notably concerns surrounding proposed parking occupancy and commercial vacancy taxes.

Members are encouraged to support this effort by sharing specific permit numbers or examples that illustrate process challenges or highlight solutions the City should adopt. These real-world examples help ground our advocacy in operational reality.

Our Property Technology Committee kicked things off on January 20 with Kayla Oliver of ABM sharing real-world examples of how emerging technologies like FM platforms, IoT, AI, automation, and robotics are being used to improve efficiency and manage rising operating costs.

On January 27, our Sustainability Committee will examine key ESG and sustainability trends shaping the Los Angeles market, including global investment drivers and local building performance compliance requirements expected to impact owners and managers in 2026. Register here.

On January 29, our educational workshop of the month will focus on demystifying Common Area Maintenance (CAM) reconciliations for junior professionals and those newer to the industry. Register here.

Our Security & Emergency Preparedness Committee will close out the month with a policy briefing featuring LAPD Lieutenant Mathes, addressing retail and copper theft, transit safety, and public safety challenges tied to homelessness, mental health, and drug-related activity near commercial properties, along with insight into current and upcoming enforcement efforts. Register here. 

The Government Affairs Committee (GAC) is actively developing an advocacy strategy to oppose proposed City of Los Angeles tax proposals that would further burden commercial properties. This includes potential increases to the Parking Occupancy Tax and the introduction of a Commercial Vacancy Tax - both of which would raise operating costs, complicate leasing efforts, and undermine reinvestment at a time when many properties are already navigating high costs and market uncertainty.

Through coordinated policy development and targeted advocacy, the Government Affairs Committee is working to ensure City policies support recovery and reinvestment - not additional financial pressure on commercial real estate.

BOMA/GLA’s Political Action Committee (PAC) serves as a critical advocacy engine for the commercial real estate industry, allowing us to engage early with candidates and elected officials who shape policies affecting building operations, investment, and economic recovery.

This month, our PAC conducted early interviews with Los Angeles City Council candidates, including races in Districts 3 and 9, to ensure the commercial real estate perspective is understood before policy positions harden. These conversations help elevate member priorities around operating costs, regulatory pressure, public safety, and reinvestment - issues that directly affect commercial districts across the City.

In parallel, BOMA/GLA continues to work closely with regional business partners such as the Central City Association, BizFed, the Hollywood Chamber, and the LA Area Chamber to coordinate candidate vetting and strengthen a unified business voice at City Hall.

Looking ahead, members of our PAC and Government Affairs leadership will travel to Washington, DC to meet directly with Los Angeles–area Members of Congress. These meetings will focus on federal policy priorities critical to commercial real estate, including: 

• Downtown and infrastructure readiness ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games 
• Federal homelessness and public safety funding as tools to stabilize commercial districts 
• Federal tax incentives to support adaptive reuse and downtown revitalization

Through early candidate engagement and direct federal advocacy, BOMA/GLA’s PAC ensures member concerns are raised where decisions are made—keeping commercial real estate informed, represented, and at the forefront of policy discussions at every level of government.

BOMA/GLA continues to turn member priorities into coordinated advocacy across City Hall and our committees.

Priorities in Action: Fighting Unfunded Taxes

As Los Angeles advances discussions on potential revenue measures, BOMA/GLA has intensified its engagement on proposals that would significantly impact commercial real estate - most notably a Parking Occupancy Tax increase and a proposed Commercial Vacancy Tax.

This month, our Director of Government & Public Affairs joined the Property Technology Committee to brief members on the status of these proposals and discuss how rising taxes intersect with building operations, technology investment, and cost-management strategies. These conversations help ensure members are informed and equipped as policy discussions evolve.

Most importantly, BOMA/GLA submitted a formal letter of opposition to the City Council’s Budget & Finance Committee, outlining how these proposed taxes would raise operating costs, hinder leasing and reinvestment, and place additional strain on commercial corridors already facing market challenges. Our comments emphasized the need for solutions that support recovery rather than impose new financial burdens.

BOMA/GLA will continue engaging Council offices, committee leadership, and industry partners as these proposals move forward. 

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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. 

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