Los Angeles Expands Controversial Ban on Public Camping to Chatsworth

The Los Angeles City Council has voted to extend its contentious anti-camping ordinance, known as 41.18, to a new area in the Chatsworth neighborhood. The decision, passed with an 11–2 vote on Tuesday, adds the intersection of Superior Street and Deering Avenue—near the Brown Canyon Wash—to the list of locations where sitting, sleeping, or storing belongings in public spaces is prohibited. ​

Councilmember John Lee, who represents District 12 and introduced the resolution, cited ongoing public safety concerns and complaints from local businesses in the industrial zone. He emphasized that the policy serves as a tool to engage unhoused individuals and connect them with services, although enforcement can sometimes lead to further interventions when illegal activities are discovered at encampment sites. ​

Under the 41.18 ordinance, violators may face infractions or misdemeanors, which can result in fines or jail time. Critics argue that the policy criminalizes homelessness and fails to address the root causes of the crisis. A report from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority last year found that the policy was ineffective in keeping areas clear of encampments and generally failed to connect the homeless population to housing. ​

The expansion of the ban comes amid broader debates on how to address homelessness in Los Angeles. While the city has invested in programs like Mayor Karen Bass's Inside Safe initiative, which provides temporary housing and services to the homeless, challenges remain in transitioning individuals to permanent housing solutions. ​

As enforcement of anti-camping laws continues, advocates for the homeless urge city officials to prioritize long-term, sustainable solutions that address the underlying issues contributing to homelessness, such as affordable housing shortages and access to mental health services.