Residents in the neighborhoods surrounding the iconic Hollywood Sign have filed a legal complaint against the City of Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass, and Councilmember Nithya Raman, citing fears of fire hazards and a severely degraded quality of life due to overwhelming tourist crowds. The complaint, filed by approximately 100 residents of the Hollywoodland, Lake Hollywood Estates, and Hollywood Knolls neighborhoods, argues that city actions have directly contributed to the influx of visitors, creating unsafe conditions.
According to the complaint, a former councilman cleared brush in 2011 to establish a viewing area for the sign within the narrow residential streets. Residents contend that this decision, coupled with city management, has led to a continuous surge in tourism. The primary concern highlighted is the potential for traffic gridlock during a wildfire, mirroring experiences from past fires where abandoned vehicles hampered emergency services. Residents also report that tourists often discard cigarette butts in the high-fire-risk area.
"There are only two narrow, winding roads in and out of the Hollywood Hills Neighborhoods," the complaint states, expressing fear that "dozens if not hundreds may die due to their inability to escape via the crowded and narrow streets" in the event of a fire.
Beyond fire safety, residents are contending with significant sanitation issues. The complaint details problems with trash, discarded diapers, and bottles filled with urine, attributing these to a lack of public restrooms in the vicinity. The neighborhood has reportedly become a "public toilet," with documented instances of public urination and defecation.
Attorney Ilan Wurman, representing the residents, told the Los Angeles Times that the lawsuit seeks an injunction to compel city action rather than financial compensation. Potential solutions proposed include limiting tourist access, similar to measures seen at the Eiffel Tower, or replanting vegetation at the cleared lookout area.
Mayor Bass's office stated that it had not yet reviewed the complaint but noted that the Los Angeles Police Department deploys additional units to manage traffic congestion around the Hollywood Sign during peak times and has collaborated with the transportation department on traffic plans.
Councilmember Raman's office acknowledged the burden on residents, stating that they "shouldn’t have to absorb the gridlock and safety risks that come with [visitors] on narrow hillside streets." The office reported that it has funded increased LAPD and LADOT presence every weekend from the Fourth of July through Labor Day, resulting in more ticketing and towing. Furthermore, funding has been secured for a pilot program aimed at improving traffic flow in the area during busy periods.