Council directs task force to confront billboard, supergraphic and pole-sign proliferation

The Los Angeles City Council voted to advance a task force to study the city's sign environment, including billboards, supergraphics, murals, pole-mounted posters, inflatable/balloon signs and large moving video displays.

Council members described an expanding set of visual blight issues and inconsistent enforcement across departments. "The signs that are now going up vertically on poles, utility poles and others, 4 to 6 stacked on top of each other, are among the most hideous and blight producing things that I have ever seen in this city," Council Member Wax said, urging stricter enforcement. Council Member Bernsen called for a cross-section task force including signage-industry representatives, homeowner leaders and multiple council committees.

Other members urged coordination with ongoing work in Arts, Health and Humanities on supergraphics and murals and recommended the task force incorporate existing committee work rather than duplicate it. The council approved the motion to move the matter forward (previous question approved) and directed staff to bring back committee findings; the motion to proceed and to coordinate was approved during the meeting. Members also approved a short continuance to allow the Arts, Health and Humanities Committee to report back (the council referenced a follow-up meeting the first regular session after Nov. 13).

The task force is to consider enforcement mechanisms, staffing and resource needs alongside code changes. Members repeatedly tied any regulatory changes to the need for an enforceable, resourced program rather than creating new rules that lack enforcement.

Votes and formal actions from the meeting are recorded below.