Los Angeles Will Discuss Expanding Anti-Camping Laws
The City Council Public Safety Committee is scheduled to debate a proposal to streamline the creation of anti-camping zones.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Camping
Live Poll
Should city governments have more authority to restrict homeless encampments in public spaces?
The Los Angeles City Council Public Safety Committee will discuss a proposal on Tuesday to expand Municipal Code 41.18. This change would allow individual council members to establish anti-camping zones without requiring a full council resolution.
Why it matters
The proposal seeks to align local city regulations with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson and a 2025 directive from Governor Gavin Newsom regarding encampments.
Municipal Code 41.18 currently prohibits sitting, lying, sleeping, or storing personal property within 500 feet of schools and libraries. The city previously rescinded 12 designated zones in the 13th District during September 2026.
The players
Los Angeles City Council
This is the primary legislative body of the city that handles ordinances, public policy, and local municipal codes.
Gavin Newsom
He is the current Governor of California who has issued directives regarding the regulation of encampments on state property.
U.S. Supreme Court
This is the highest federal court in the United States, which recently ruled on the legality of local encampment enforcement.
The details
Under current rules, council members must pass a formal resolution to establish anti-camping zones. The proposed update would eliminate this requirement, granting individual members greater autonomy to designate restricted areas.
Timeline
The City Council expanded Section 41.18 in 2021 to cover sensitive locations.
Governor Newsom announced a model encampment ordinance on May 12, 2025.
A directive regarding encampments on state property was issued by Governor Newsom in July 2025.
The City Council rescinded 12 anti-camping zones in the 13th District in September 2026.
The Public Safety Committee will discuss the proposal this coming Tuesday.
Culture Shift
The proposed ordinance revision follows the legal framework established by the City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson ruling regarding municipal authority. This move reflects a broader national trend of cities re-evaluating local encampment regulations following the Supreme Court decision.
If approved, the change could lead to the rapid designation of new anti-camping zones throughout city neighborhoods without a full council vote. Residents may notice more localized enforcement of sleeping and storage restrictions in their specific districts.
The takeaway
This proposal highlights the tension between local council autonomy and established citywide legislative processes. Residents should monitor committee meetings to understand how these potential changes might affect public space usage in their neighborhoods.
Further reading
For more context on local ordinances, visit the Camping section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by My News LA.
Live Poll
Should city governments have more authority to restrict homeless encampments in public spaces?
