Local Laws ’98

Billboard bans were a common subject for legislation in Los Angeles County during 1998. Most of the prohibitions applied to the billboard advertising of tobacco and alcoholic products. Other measures ranged from yard sale regulations to curbs on gun sales; still others covered beasts and bees and even the thong bathing suit.

A sampling:

Los Angeles County

Subways--One of the most significant measures countywide was approved not by the Board of Supervisors but by voters. In November, voters overwhelmingly passed a ballot measure that prevents the Metropolitan Transportation Authority from using local sales tax for any subways beyond those already under construction. The prohibition is intended to prevent the MTA from proceeding with expansion of the subway system once Metro Rail reaches the San Fernando Valley in 2000.

Scoring system--Spurred by media exposure of unclean conditions at a number of Los Angeles restaurants, the county improved its standards by issuing “report cards” requiring restaurants, markets, bakeries and bars to post the results of their most recent sanitation inspections (or the actual score if the grade is below a C). Restaurant owners who do not receive at least a C grade are required to attend a hearing within three days. More than half of the county’s cities have adopted similar measures.

Billboards--The Board of Supervisors banned outdoor advertising of adult telephone sex services in certain unincorporated areas. The bans are in effect in unincorporated areas within 1,000 feet of residential and “sensitive” areas, including those around schools, parks, playgrounds, recreational and youth centers and churches. It exempts advertisements next to freeways.

Los Angeles

City Hall--It was the year of the Big Move. The City Council, assorted city departments and the news media moved out of historic, majestic City Hall to newer, more corporate digs across Main Street. As a result, Council President John Ferraro sponsored an ordinance renaming the new building “City Hall” until the old building is renovated and reoccupied.

DWP--Faced with a municipal utility poised to enter the deregulated energy market, the City Council approved a plan for the Department of Water and Power that includes eliminating 2,000 positions. After numerous hearings and even some protests from union members, the council agreed to make the cuts--and to freeze electric rates--so the DWP can pay down its $4-billion debt and prepare the utility for the competitive era. Under DWP severance deals, a number of employees voluntarily quit or retired.

Pets--The City Council approved an ordinance establishing a $15 fee for microchip implanting--for identification--of dogs and cats adopted from city animal shelters and a $25 fee for implanting the microchips in privately owned dogs and cats. The program is on a leash--on hold--until March.

Guns--Furthering its efforts to crack down on guns in the city, the City Council approved an ordinance requiring a series of background checks on employees who sell or handle firearms, and requiring that trigger locks be sold with each sale or transfer of a firearm. The council prohibited people from selling or handling guns from a gun dealer if they are under 21, recently had their gun dealer license revoked or denied or are prohibited by state or federal law from owning a firearm.

Billboards--The city prohibited outdoor ads for tobacco and alcohol within 1,000 feet of homes, schools, parks, playgrounds, youth centers and entertainment centers.

Venice--Angering a variety of Venice Beach shoppers and sellers alike, the City Council banned all unlicensed boardwalk vending, except performance artists. The ordinance, by Councilwoman Ruth Galanter, whose district includes Venice, says the law maintains “a safe and legal atmosphere for artists, entertainers and other such vendors who contribute to the charm of Venice Beach.”

Dogs--Freedom to strut your schnauzer, Shih Tzu or pit bull on the Venice boardwalk from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on summer weekends and holidays is prohibited. The measure was spurred by 150 dog bite reports and pit bull fights last year.

Alhambra

Fences--The city restricted front yard fences to a maximum of 3 feet in height. It also prohibited chain-link or wired fences.

Burbank

Buildings--Damaged buildings with certain types of welded steel frames must have a seismic safety analysis, and necessary repairs must be made. Voluntary seismic safety guidelines have been adopted for other structures.

Beverly Hills

Gun control--The city prohibited the sale of cheap guns known as Saturday night specials and required firearms dealers to obtain city permits. It banned the sale of guns that don’t have trigger locks or similar devices to prevent accidental firing. Also, gun dealers were required to keep a sales log of all firearms and ammunition.

Carson

Billboards--All alcohol and tobacco advertisements on billboards were banned.

Covina

Drugs--Taking the war on methamphetamines to the local pharmacy, Covina became the first city in the county to outlaw large purchases of common cold and allergy medications containing pseudoephedrine and its sister compound, ephedrine. Targeting those who buy armfuls of cold medicines and use them to make the drug known as meth, crank, speed or crystal, the law prohibits customers from purchasing more than two 24-tablet packages of the medicines at a time.

Culver City

Basketball--Hoops and half-court play areas were added to the Fox Hills Park for the first time since 1981, when the city banned basketball after residents complained that players were noisy and caused late-night disturbances. Hours of play are limited.

El Monte

Day laborers--It became a misdemeanor to congregate on streets or corners seeking daily work. Hiring of day laborers from such locations was banned.

Gardena

Yard sales--In an attempt to curb the number of garage sales, each resident was restricted to four yard or garage sales per year. Yard sales also require permits, costing $6.50 and valid for two consecutive days.

Glendale

Alcohol--It is now illegal to drink alcohol on private property open to public view without the consent of the property owner or person in legal possession of the property.

Hermosa Beach

Taxis--In an attempt to decrease the number of cabs downtown, the city now requires taxi operators to obtain permits. Operators must declare the number of cabs they intend to run, show proof of insurance and vehicle safety inspection, and provide the names of drivers.

Lancaster

Weeds--Overgrown weeds or dead vegetation with an average height of more than 12 inches on property that has a vacant structure is now deemed to be a public nuisance.

Malibu

Watercraft--After lifeguards raised concerns about the safety of swimmers at a private beach adjacent to Surfrider State Beach, the city banned the launching of small motorized watercraft there.

Manhattan Beach

Parking meters--Complaints from downtown business owners that local employees were parking in prime storefront spaces spurred the city to raise the rate at 310 on-street two-hour parking meters from 25 cents to 50 cents per hour. Parking in public lots remains at 25 cents.

Gas leaf blowers--Violators operating gasoline-powered leaf blowers will be fined up to $250 after two violations within a year and, after a third violation within a year, fined up to $1,000 or sentenced to a year in jail or both.

Monrovia

Alcohol--The city legalized sidewalk sales of wine and beer at patio tables. The provision applies to eateries in the Old Town area.

Palmdale

Cycling--Bicycles were banned in the city’s first skate park, Marie Kerr Park, which opened in June. Skaters must wear specified safety equipment and those under 14 must be supervised by a parent or guardian.

Pasadena

Bees--Pasadena residents can no longer harbor a wild swarm of bees unless they want to get stung with violating a new law. Backing away from an outright ban on beehives, the City Council in April gave health officials the authority to force property owners to remove hives of wild bees and other stinging insects.

Smoking--The city enacted a tough anti-smoking ordinance that banned cigarette machines and cigarette displays that are not behind checkout counters. The ordinance closed a loophole that allowed smoking in large hotel lobbies.

Redondo Beach

Public nudity--Deleting a 1970s-era law that prohibited dressing, undressing or disrobing in a public place, the City Council adopted a public nudity law that requires clothing to be worn in all public places in the city and in places where the nude individual is in public view, such as a front yard. Discreetly changing clothes on the beach in not considered nudity. Also removed from the books was a 1950s ordinance banning swimsuits that did not stretch at least one inch above the belly button. And thong bathing suits are now allowed.

San Fernando

Trucks--Commercial vehicles over 3/4-ton capacity can no longer park on residential driveways or other paved areas of a residential lot, unless making a pickup or delivery. Pickup trucks and recreational vehicles are exempt.

Santa Clarita

Fire zones--Buildings constructed in a fire hazard zone (areas within 1,000 feet of a natural brush hillside) that have a pool or spa with a capacity of 5,000 gallons or more must have a permanent sign indicating an emergency water source that can be used by firefighters. In areas with curb address numbers, a graphic showing water and a swimmer may be painted on the curb.

Santa Monica

Street vendors--As the result of a lawsuit against the city contending that its vending law violated free speech rights, vendors are now allowed to sell bumper stickers, newspapers and other politically expressive materials on the Third Street Promenade.

Skaters and cyclists--Citing concerns about pedestrian safety, skating, skateboarding and cycling on the Third Street Promenade was prohibited.

South Pasadena

News racks--The city decided to limit news racks to a dozen on a block, down from 16. Priority for position was given to general-circulation newspapers.

Westlake Village

Trash--Placing trash in a recycling container or placing lawn clippings and leaves in a trash container is now prohibited on commercial properties.

West Hollywood

Billboards--Tobacco billboards were banned from the city, except on the Sunset Strip. Exempting the Sunset Strip from the ban protects the city from potential legal action by billboard and tobacco companies on 1st Amendment grounds because the ads are not banned from the entire city.

Compiled by Times staff writers Cecilia Rasmussen, Richard Winton, Beth Shuster and Stephanie Stassel.