Los Angeles residents sue city over Hollywood Sign tourism issues

Residents living near the Hollywood Sign have filed public nuisance lawsuits against the City of Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass, and Councilmember Nithya Raman. The legal action seeks court orders to force the city to maintain the area and ensure it is free from obstructions, health hazards, and fire risks.

The plaintiffs allege that massive crowds of tourists and illegal street vendors have created a chaotic environment. Specific complaints include severe traffic gridlock on narrow hillside streets, which residents claim obstructs fire lanes and poses a risk during wildfires. The lawsuit also cites sanitation issues, alleging that public urination and defecation, along with excessive trash, have turned the area into a “public nuisance” that is “indecent and offensive to the senses.”

In response, the Mayor’s office stated that the LAPD has deployed additional units during peak congestion periods for traffic and parking enforcement. The office also noted ongoing collaboration with the Los Angeles Department of Transportation to implement traffic plans for the area.