Committee directs city attorney to draft tougher ordinance, higher fines for renting recreational vehicles in public rights-of-way

The Los Angeles City Transportation and Public Works Committee on April 17 approved a city attorney report and draft ordinance that would add recreational vehicles to the list of vehicles that cannot be rented, leased or sold in the public right-of-way and update fines and late penalties for violations.

The committee voted to approve the city attorney’s report and draft ordinance as amended and requested the city attorney return with an updated draft ordinance and a report on a revised fee structure no later than the Aug. 27 committee meeting.

The city attorney, Deputy City Attorney Mike Nagel, told the committee the ordinance was requested to target landlords who place vehicles on city streets for rental operations. The proposed ordinance includes an escalating civil-penalty schedule: a first violation of $500, a second violation of $750, and later violations up to $1,000. Nagel said the office also added language allowing the city attorney to pursue criminal prosecution in cases where that course would be more appropriate rather than relying solely on administrative fines.

Council members questioned whether the statutory definition of “recreational vehicle” required by state law needed to be included verbatim in the municipal ordinance. Nagel said the ordinance uses the state’s definition so staff and the public would not have to cross-reference the vehicle code.

Committee members pressed for stronger penalties, arguing that a $1,000 fine might not deter landlords who acquire vehicles at lien sales for low cost and then rent them for recurring income. Committee members asked the city attorney to research whether the maximum civil penalty could be raised or whether other statutory maxima apply; Nagel said staff would research and, if feasible, include a higher maximum in the updated draft. The committee asked for an “updated ordinance” or a report on a fee increase that would make the practice cost-prohibitive for operators.

The committee also discussed that the measure builds on existing prohibitions against selling, leasing or repairing vehicles in the city streets and that other state laws governing RV parking and sanitation may apply, but this ordinance’s focus is on rental activity and landlords under subsection (b) of the draft. Council members and staff agreed the update should give the city more tools to deter the practice and to escalate enforcement where warranted.

The committee scheduled a return with the revised draft ordinance and fee analysis for Aug. 27 so the body could consider an updated proposal before voting on final action.

Votes: Council Member Hutt: yes; Council Member Park: yes. Council Member Hernandez: absent. The motion carried.