Los Angeles Council Votes to Ban Oil Drilling

The unanimous vote triggers a 20-year phaseout of all active and idle oil wells within city limits.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Oil and Gas

Bold flat-color editorial illustration depicting a pumpjack silhouette and a small sapling, representing Los Angeles's transition from oil drilling to clean land use. — The Los Angeles City Council unanimously voted to ban oil drilling, mandating a 20-year phaseout of active wells within city limits. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should local governments have the authority to ban oil and gas operations within their city limits?

The Los Angeles City Council has voted unanimously to ban oil drilling and pumping, establishing a 20-year phaseout for existing operations. The ordinance classifies all local oil activities as nonconforming uses to address public health concerns and support the transition to clean energy.

Why it matters

The measure aims to align local industry with the city goal of achieving 100% clean electricity by 2035. By phasing out these operations, officials intend to repurpose drilling sites for community needs such as new housing and public parks.

The ordinance mandates a 20-year phaseout for 600 active and 1,200 idle oil wells located within the city. Three companies, Warren Resources, E&B Natural Resources Management Corp., and Tidelands Oil Production Co., currently operate two-thirds of the active wells.

The players

Los Angeles City Council

This is the primary legislative body for Los Angeles that manages local policy and city ordinances.

Karen Bass

She serves as the Mayor of Los Angeles and is expected to sign the newly approved ordinance.

Warren Resources

This is a private energy company that operates a portion of the active oil wells targeted by the new ban.

E&B Natural Resources Management Corp.

This entity is a major operator of oil and gas production facilities currently active within Los Angeles city limits.

Tidelands Oil Production Co.

This organization manages significant oil production operations, particularly in regions surrounding the Port of Los Angeles.

The details

Under the new mandate, existing wells cannot be deepened, re-drilled, or expanded, and idle wells are prohibited from returning to production. While operations must eventually cease, the city will continue to permit routine servicing and maintenance of active wells during the transition period.

2022: City Council passed a previous ban on oil production.
2024: L.A. County Superior Court struck down the 2022 ban.
April 2026: The Mayor released a Climate Action Plan calling for the ordinance.
October 28, 2026: City Council voted to approve the new ban.
2035: Target date for the city to reach 100% clean electricity production.

Market Landscape

The ordinance follows the pattern set by Assembly Bill 3233, which provides the state-level authorization necessary for cities to enact such local restrictions. This move marks a departure from traditional oil dependence, forcing a long-term shift in land use for the affected firms.

Residents may eventually see long-vacant oil sites converted into new public parks or residential housing developments. The phaseout period ensures that current operations wind down gradually rather than creating an immediate cessation of all energy services.

The takeaway

This policy represents a transition from industrial oil production to urban redevelopment over the next two decades. Readers should monitor future city planning announcements regarding the specific sites marked for conversion into parks and housing.