Judge orders LA to pump the brakes on rollout of new RV law

Topline:

Why it matters: The city had planned to implement a new state law that gives L.A. County authority to dispose of abandoned or inoperable RVs worth up to $4,000.

But the court order, issued Tuesday by Superior Court Judge Curtis A. Kin, puts that on pause and holds L.A. to a previous law that allowed the city to dispose of RVs worth $500 or less.

The backstory: The order stems from a legal challenge by a coalition of housed and unhoused residents in West L.A. who argue Assembly Bill 630, which became law Jan. 1, gives the authority for expanded RV enforcement only to the county of Los Angeles — not the city.

The L.A. City Council voted in December to approve a motion instructing various city departments to “immediately implement” the law.

The CD11 Coalition for Human Rights asked a judge to intervene, claiming L.A. is “recklessly charging ahead” with a program it’s not authorized to execute, according to court documents.

What officials say: Councilmember Traci Park, who introduced the council motion in October, told LAist previously that the city needs to have tools to get unsafe and unsanitary RVs off public streets for good.

“These vehicles create unacceptable health, environmental, and safety risks, putting entire neighborhoods, critical infrastructure, and sensitive environmental areas at risk,” Park, who represents communities including Venice and Mar Vista, said in a statement. “Residents want solutions, not ideological wars, delay tactics, and frivolous lawsuits.”

City Attorney Hydee Feldstein-Soto’s office did not respond to LAist’s multiple requests for comment on the city’s implementation of AB 630.

Mayor Karen Bass proposed AB 630 in partnership with Assemblymember Mark González, who introduced the California assembly bill. González said in a statement to LAist Wednesday that his office is “working with our partners to clarify the law to ensure the City can fully implement AB 630."

In response to questions from LAist, Bass’ office said in a statement that previous law required inoperable RVs to be put up for auction, which often led to them winding up back on the streets.

“For too long, bad actors have preyed on unhoused Angelenos and families through a cycle of buying and auctioning off broken down, inoperable RVs that are dangerous for those inhabiting them and for surrounding areas — they catch on fire and can become death traps, not the type of RVs safe to be used for housing," the statement read.

LAist also reached out to City Administrative Officer Matt Szabo, whose office is involved with coordinating the removal of RVs from L.A. streets.
Szabo deferred questions about AB 630 to the City Attorney's Office.

What's next: A hearing is set for Feb. 19 at 1:30 p.m. in L.A. County Superior Court.

Go deeper: West LA coalition challenges city's rollout of new RV law