LA City Council Moves to Ban RV Parking in Residential Areas
- The Los Angeles City Council is making progress in prohibiting RV parking in residential areas.
- Efforts are being taken to address the issue of recreational vehicles being used as housing across LA.
- The new legislation aims to regulate where RVs can be parked within the city limits.
In a recent unanimous vote, the Los Angeles City Council approved a motion led by Councilmembers Eunisses Hernandez, Katy Yaroslavsky, and Hugo Soto-Martinez to evaluate the effectiveness of the city's Oversized Vehicle Ordinance. The motion aims to gather data on the impact of recreational vehicles (RVs) in restricted areas, with a focus on identifying zones where RV parking would be prohibited and potential locations for permitted parking. The council is also considering a permitting system for RVs and assessing the feasibility of waste pumping services. Despite the unanimous support for the main motion, an amendment proposed by the councilmembers was rejected in a 4-10 vote. Additionally, Councilwoman Traci Park advanced a separate motion to establish a city-wide program that would ban RV parking in residential neighborhoods and commercial areas. Park emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that further committees or task forces are unnecessary, as the dangers and unsanitary conditions posed by RVs are already well-known. The council's actions come in the wake of Governor Gavin Newsom's directive for state agencies to dismantle homeless encampments, although local governments retain the authority to decide on encampment removals. Park's motion, which received support from several council members, was passed with minimal debate, reflecting a growing consensus on the need for immediate action. The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) reported a 10.4% reduction in unsheltered homelessness in the city, highlighting the effectiveness of ongoing encampment resolution efforts in collaboration with city and county agencies.