Los Angeles City Council has voted 10-3 to lift anti-camping restrictions in more than a dozen parks and public spaces across Hollywood, Silver Lake, and surrounding neighborhoods. The decision, championed by Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez, allows homeless individuals to legally pitch tents and reside in these designated areas, reversing a policy that had previously prevented encampments after they were cleared by law enforcement.

Previously, the city had enforced restrictions under LAMC 41.18, which prohibited sitting, sleeping, lying down, or storing belongings in specifically designated public spaces. The lifted restrictions will no longer apply to locations such as Barnsdall Art Park, the Hollywood Recreation Center, Las Palmas Senior Citizen Center, Madison West Park, and areas surrounding freeway and roadway crossings. However, protections around schools and daycare facilities will remain in place.

Councilmember Soto-Martinez advocated for the change, stating that Los Angeles should focus on moving people into housing rather than displacing them. "Los Angeles has a better way to tackle homelessness: getting people indoors rather than repeatedly pushing them from one sidewalk to another," he said.

Before the vote, over 50 community groups had urged Soto-Martinez to remove the restrictions. The councilmember faced pressure, including a mock homeless encampment "sweep" demonstration outside his East Hollywood apartment building a week prior to his June reelection.

Councilwomen Traci Park, Imelda Padilla, and Monica Rodriguez cast the dissenting votes against the motion. Councilwoman Park expressed concern about the financial investment in homelessness services, stating, "We have spent billions on homeless housing and services, and our constituents have been incredibly generous. They have every right to expect something in return."

Councilwoman Padilla shared concerns for homeowners in her district, particularly in communities of color, where residents have worked to achieve homeownership. "I don’t think it’s fair that they can’t hang out in their front yard or keep things in their front yard, because there are so many people walking up and down over the influx of homeless folks," she said.

Councilmember Rodriguez noted that LAMC 41.18 was not designed as a sole solution to homelessness.

The council's vote on Tuesday will not require further action. Once the processed, the affected sites will no longer be subject to location-specific 41.18 restrictions.