The Beverly Hills City Council ended the city’s COVID-19 emergency declaration on April 18, more than three years after former city manager George Chavez declared an emergency in March 2020. The council also approved an ordinance preserving the housing protections that were established under the emergency declaration.

Under the housing ordinance, renters have until May 31, 2023, to pay back any rents accrued since March 15, 2020, and a maximum 3.1% rent increase has been extended until June 30, 2023.

Councilmembers had previously extended the current version of the OpenBH program, the outdoor dining program that started during the pandemic, until Sept. 30, and two OpenBH subcommittees are finalizing details for a permanent version.

The end of the local COVID-19 emergency and the approval of the housing protections were adopted as part of the council’s consent calendar, and the council members did not discuss the items.