Local News in Brief : LOCAL LAWS of 1987 : City of Los Angeles

Among the strongest images of the year in Los Angeles County were those of furious smokers temporarily banned from Beverly Hills restaurants and a would-be gunman holding what turned out to be a toy gun on consumer reporter David Horowitz during a live broadcast. Both incidents spawned action by local authorities. Here’s a sampling of what local legislative boards decided during 1987.

TENANTS--An ordinance took effect in January that limits the number of occupants per dwelling unit and requires landlords to give tenants written notice of the maximum number of occupants allowed by law. As of December, renters are protected from utility cutoffs due to landlord failure to pay the bills for the services they receive.

EARTHQUAKES--As of March, landlords were required to provide benefits to tenants for relocation caused by seismic repair.

HISTORIC VEHICLES--A law took effect in March limiting the number of vehicles permitted to be stored outdoors in residential areas.

PARKING--As of May, traffic officers are empowered to use a “Denver boot” to immobilize vehicles with unpaid parking tickets totaling $300 or more.

DEVELOPMENT--A ordinance that became effective in May tightens regulations for constructions on hillsides.

RIDE-SHARING--Employers of 700 or more employees are required under a law enacted in June to develop mandatory car pooling programs or split working shifts.

CLUBS--As of June, barring membership in private clubs on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, race, ethnic group or physical disability is prohibited.

HOUSING--Home builders are required to pay a $300 development tax as the result of an ordinance passed in June.

MINI-MALLS--In July, a six-month moratorium on the construction of “mini-malls” took effect, and new development guidelines for the small commercial centers were ordered.

HOMELESS--In July, an ordinance took effect requiring the city to find long-term financing for homeless shelters. Also passed was a “severe weather” emergency plan, which calls for certian city buildings to be opened as shelters and wide distribution of overnight hotel vouchers when cold or wet weather is forecast. In December, an ordinance banning overnight sleeping on the city’s beaches was passed, to take effect in January.

FEES--In July, the dog licensing fee went from $6 to $7.50 and for spayed or neutered animals from $3.50 to $4.50; in August, license fees were waived for dogs that assist the handicapped.

RENT CONTROL--In August, tighter rent controls were passed. Relocation allowances for tenants forced out in “no-fault” evictions were doubled, up to $2,000 for single adults to $5,000 for families. A moratorium on “no-fault” evictions to allow for major rehabilitation was also ordered.

BITES--A law that took effect in August requires impoundment of dogs that bite people and, after a hearing, destruction of the animal in severe cases. In October, another law provided for prosecution of dog owners whose pets violate the noise ordinance, with penalties of up to $250.

PERMITS--In October, the fee for police permits at public events went up by 10%.

SMOKING--A measure requiring restaurants with more than 50 seats to designate half of their space as a no-smoking section was passed in November, to take effect Jan. 1.

TOY GUNS--A ban of the manufacture and sale of realistic looking toy guns was adopted in November, to take effect Jan. 1.

KNIVES--In November, it became illegal for juveniles to carry knives with blades longer than two inches.

Compiling these laws were Times staff writers Greg Braxton, Gary Gorman, Scott Harris, Roxanna Kopetman, Julio Moran, Victor Merina, Mike Ward, and researcher Cecilia Rasmussen.