Mobile Billboard Advertising Display Task Force Hits the Streets
On December 17, 2010, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously passed an ordinance prohibiting mobile billboard advertising displays from parking on City streets and public lands.
Mobile Billboard Advertising Displays (AB 2756, Blumenfield), a key piece of state legislation sponsored by the City of Los Angeles, created Section 395.5 of the Vehicle Code, which defines “mobile billboard advertising display” as an advertising display that is attached to a wheeled, mobile, non-motorized vehicle that carries, pulls or transports a sign or billboard and is for the primary purpose of advertising. This bill also amended Section 21100 of the Vehicle Code to give local authorities the ability to adopt rules/regulations by ordinance/resolution to regulate mobile billboard advertising; this includes establishing penalties that could authorize removal of the mobile billboard advertising display. In addition, VC Section 22651 was amended to say that the mobile billboard advertising display may be towed when left parked or standing in violation of a local ordinance. Warning citations advising of the consequences, including towing of the mobile billboard display, are sufficient warning to the public.
The State law and City ordinance took effect January 1, 2011.
Councilman Zine created a task force in the Third District mobilizing his community P.O.S.S.E. (People Organizing a Safe, Secure Environment) to help enforce the law banning mobile billboard advertising trailers on city streets. They worked with the Department of Transportation beginning January 1, 2011 to issue the appropriate warnings and impose the available penalties to those who did not comply. For non-compliance, the vehicle may be impounded and the owner may be subject to misdemeanor penalties that range from $250 to $1000 and/or up to six months in jail.
The week before January 1st, task force members hit the streets and inventoried concentrated areas in CD3. On January 1st, some of those had been removed by their owners; but of those that remained, LADOT issued warnings to 16 mobile billboard advertising displays. When LADOT returned the following day, 5 more had been removed by the owners and 8 were impounded. 1 additional display was impounded on January 3rd.
To report a Mobile Billboard Advertising Display, call the DOT Parking Enforcement Communications Division at 818-752-5100 or 213-485-4184. Immediately Press “2” to report a parking violation. Please be ready to provide the trailer license plate number and the street block location.