Trailers Being Towed Under New City Ordinance Spearheaded by Councilman Smith

In a major victory for the community, the City began towing mobile advertising trailers from L.A. streets after Councilman Smith’s legislation to regulate the blight of unhitched trailer billboards went into effect on Jan. 1, 2011.

“This is a huge success in our efforts to protect the quality of life in our community,” Councilman Smith said. “This ordinance is long overdue, but now with local control over this issue, we can finally rid our streets of these nuisances.”

The ordinance to strictly regulate the mobile advertising trailers was approved by City Council on Friday, Dec. 17, 2010.

On Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010 Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed AB 2756 into law, a bill to ban or regulate the mobile advertising trailers that have become a plague on San Fernando Valley streets. Los Angeles introduced a sister motion in July 2010 that would be automatically triggered if AB 2756 would pass, directing the City Attorney to draft an ordinance to regulate the unhitched trailer billboards. To see the full ordinance, visit http://clkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2009/09-2140-s1_ord_181495.pdf.

The weekend that the enforcement action began, more than a dozen unhitched advertising trailers were impounded and towed and over 30 were cited. Owners of the trailers face misdemeanor fines from $250 to $1,000 and up to six months in jail.

To report a mobile ad trailer, call the DOT Parking Enforcement Communications Division at 818-752-5100. Immediately Press “2” to report a parking violation. Be ready to provide the trailer license plate number and the street block location.