A Los Angeles City Council committee has voted to raise LA Zoo admission prices by another $2, a move that comes just one year after a previous $5 increase. If approved by the full council, adult tickets will rise to $29, children's tickets to $24, and senior tickets to $26.

This latest proposed price adjustment follows a period where admission fees had remained unchanged since 2019. The previous increase was implemented as the city sought to address a substantial budget deficit. Mayor Karen Bass had stated that the additional revenue would help mitigate the city's roughly $1 billion budget shortfall.

The proposed ordinance is slated for a further vote by the Budget and Finance Committee before heading to the full City Council for final consideration. Children under two years old will continue to receive free admission. The zoo operates daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with closures on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Facility and Financial Challenges

The potential price hike occurs as the LA Zoo grapples with significant operational challenges. A recent civil grand jury report concluded that the zoo's current operational model is unsustainable, citing deteriorating facilities, a decline in membership, and ongoing financial strain.

Unlike many major zoos in the U.S., the LA Zoo is directly operated by the city, involving oversight from multiple city departments, the mayor, and the City Council. The 133-acre facility in Griffith Park, home to over 1,600 animals, has struggled with maintenance amid the city's financial pressures, including the aforementioned budget shortfall.

Membership numbers have seen a notable decrease, falling from 36,914 in April 2025 to 28,440 by February 2026, representing a loss of 8,474 members in less than a year.

Several exhibits, including those for lions, bears, sea lions, and pelicans, have been temporarily closed due to necessary renovations. In the past year, the zoo's two elephants were transferred to the Tulsa Zoo following criticism from animal-rights advocates regarding their living conditions and health.

Federal regulators have also identified maintenance issues, such as rust and peeling paint in animal enclosures. Previous inspection reports from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums highlighted a "critical lack of funding and staffing to address even the most basic repairs."

Despite these challenges, Los Angeles has allocated approximately $34 million to the zoo, with $10 million designated specifically for animal care.