LOS ANGELES — Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky (CD5) and Councilmember Bob Blumenfield (CD3) introduced a motion on Tuesday to crack down on illegal street-facing advertisements that have proliferated across Los Angeles.
These illegal street-facing ads include unpermitted digital billboards, massive wall ads, construction wall ads, mobile billboards, rooftop structures, and window displays. For years, operators have exploited loopholes and ignored City penalties because the system makes it too easy to profit without consequences. In many cases, illegal ad revenue creates a financial incentive for property owners to keep land vacant instead of pursuing real development. The result is growing visual blight, unfair competition, and rising enforcement costs paid by taxpayers and law-abiding businesses.
“In the absence of a real, funded enforcement system, rogue advertising companies have done whatever they think they can get away with,” said Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky. “In my district, entire buildings are wrapped in ads. Vacant lots stay vacant because selling ad space is more profitable than building housing, and when ads rotate out, torn posters are left behind on the street. Our public right-of-way is being treated like free commercial ad space and a landfill. If companies want to advertise to Angelenos, the City and our neighborhoods should benefit.”
In addition to shutting down illegal street-facing ads, the motion establishes a revenue-sharing requirement for legal ads on construction fences. This is part of a broader effort by Councilwoman Yaroslavsky to increase City revenue and expand core services without raising taxes on Angelenos.
“When our streets and sidewalks are utilized for advertising, it is imperative that it’s regulated and that through fees, a public good comes out of it. Our motion takes a big step towards helping quell this ever evolving world of evasion,” said Councilmember Blumenfield. “Addressing the littering of our public rights-of-way with ads can sometimes feel like whack-a-mole but I’m grateful for Councilwoman Yaroslavsky’s partnership in this effort.”
The problem has accelerated as Los Angeles prepares to host the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, a global event expected to drive a surge in illegal advertising and ambush marketing activity. Without stronger enforcement tools, City officials warn illegal operators will continue to expand.
The motion directs the City Attorney, with support from the Department of City Planning and the Department of Building and Safety, to draft an ordinance to strengthen enforcement, close loopholes, and protect the public right-of-way.
Key elements of the proposed framework include:
Requiring outdoor advertising operators to register with the City and submit a sworn inventory of all street-facing ads
Establishing steep daily fines, including up to $50,000 per day for illegal digital signage. This brings LA in line with successful enforcement frameworks like those in New York City.
Holding property owners and parent companies accountable when shell entities rack up violations
Declaring illegal street-facing ads a public nuisance, allowing faster removal and recovery of costs through liens
The motion also targets the City’s temporary construction wall sign rules, which have been widely exploited to allow advertising on vacant properties with little or no real development activity. Under the proposal, the City would repeal and replace the existing ordinance to strengthen oversight, require revenue-sharing with the City, and discourage continued vacancies that contribute to blight and safety concerns.
The motion will be heard in the Planning and Land Use Management Committee before heading to the full City Council.
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