Contra Costa extends, modifies moratorium on evictions

Contra Costa County’s moratorium on evictions directly caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has been extended from May 31 until July 15, and starting soon will no longer allow businesses over certain employee and gross-receipt thresholds to defer rent payments.

The revised ordinance, approved Tuesday by a 5-0 vote, narrows the definition of “commercial real property” to property where small businesses, manufacturers or nonprofit organizations operate. Such businesses must be independently owned, have 100 or fewer employees and have average annual gross receipts of no more than $15 million over the previous three years.