Motion (Yaroslavsky, Blumenfield - Harris-Dawson, et al.) relative to requesting the City Attorney, with assistance of the Department of City Planning and the Department of Building and Safety, to prepare and present an ordinance to amend the Los Angeles Municipal Code to mandate accountability, close regulatory loopholes, and safeguard the public right-of-way with penalties sufficient to deter illegal off-site signage and ambush marketing activity; and related matters.

This consequential item involves the City of Los Angeles requesting the City Attorney, with assistance from the Department of City Planning and the Department of Building and Safety, to draft an ordinance that amends the Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) to address the proliferation of illegal off-site signage and ambush marketing. The proposed ordinance aims to mandate accountability, close regulatory loopholes, and protect the public right-of-way by establishing penalties sufficient to deter such activities.

Key Provisions:

• Mandatory Registration and Financial Guarantees: Outdoor Advertising Companies (OACs) will be required to register, provide a sworn inventory of assets, and secure an irrevocable Letter of Credit or Surety Bond.
• Substantial Penalties: Fines of up to $50,000 per day for digital off-site signage violations and up to $25,000 per day for static off-site signage violations will be established.
• Redefined "On-Site" Use: The definition of "on-site" will be strictly limited to bona fide, primary business operations to prevent circumvention of off-site advertising prohibitions.
• Broad Applicability: The framework will cover all commercial sign formats, including billboards, wallscapes, wild postings, mobile billboards, supergraphics, rooftop structures, and window displays.
• Expanded Liability: Parent companies, property owners, and affiliates will be held liable for fines incurred by shell entities.
• Nuisance Abatement: Illegal off-site signs will be declared a public nuisance per se, allowing for summary abatement (removal) with costs assessed against the owner via liens.
• Olympic and Paralympic Games Compliance: The ordinance will apply to violators of the Olympic and Paralympic Planning and Zoning Exemption Ordinance.
• Contracting Restrictions: OACs or property owners with outstanding sign violations will be precluded from bidding on future City contracts or partnerships.
• Streamlined Enforcement: A process for sign takedowns and waiving related fees for unpermitted signs will be facilitated.
• Repeal and Replacement of LAMC Section 14.4.17: This section will be repealed and replaced to include a mechanism for a 50% revenue share with the City on expected gross advertising revenue, higher fees for vacant properties, increased responsibility for graffiti and nuisance abatement, and a requirement for temporary construction wall signs to register as OACs and display identification signage.

Procedural History: The Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee reviewed the motion on March 10, 2026, and recommended instructing various departments (City Attorney, Department of City Planning, Department of Building and Safety, City Administrative Officer) to prepare and present the ordinance. Amendments were proposed and incorporated, including requirements for compliance with existing sign regulations and zoning codes for temporary construction wall signs, and a legal analysis of revenue share, fine structure, and potential liabilities. The matter is forwarded to the full Council for consideration. Public comments from InSite Street Media and Tranzito-Vector expressed support for the motion, highlighting the need for stronger enforcement and revenue generation. Cityfi's analysis estimates over $60 million in forgone annual revenue due to under-regulated signage.