Fix-It Law Would Make Mobile Billboards Move Along

When legislation allowing Los Angeles and other cities to sweep unhitched advertising trailers from the streets became effective in January, there was a loophole in the law.

However, a fix-it bill passed the Assembly Monday and sent to the Senate gives cities the authority to regulate how far a parked car must move after 72 hours.

Under existing law, a truck hitched to a mobile billboard trailer can move a matter of inches and effectively remain in the same location indefinitely.   

``Mobile billboards are a plague that must be driven from our community,'' said Assemblyman Bob Blumenfield, D-Woodland Hills, who authored a related law that went into effect in January banning unhitched billboard trailers from being parked on public streets.   

``Now it's time to crack down on the rest of these unsafe, unsightly and unwanted signs.''

For years the city has tried to crack down on mobile billboards, but has been held back by litigation and stringent requirements to post the ordinances at every entrance to the city, Blumenfield said.

The bill passed the Assembly with a 58-11 vote.

Following passage of the January law banning unhitched mobile billboards, Councilman Dennis Zine launched a task force to mark, impound and tow away the trailers.

"These mobile billboards and advertising trailers are a major source of blight in our communities. They take up parking spaces, impede visibility and attract graffiti and vandalism. I will do everything in my power to eradicate them from the streets," Zine said.

At that time, Councilman Greig Smith said: "Our office worked closely with Assemblyman Bob Blumenfield who authored the bill that would allow cities in California to enact their own laws to regulate or even ban the trailer signs. We helped him craft the bill and helped him in his outstanding and successful effort to get public support for the legislation out in the communities."  Mike Feuer, D-Los Angeles,  co-sponsored that bill.

Smith represents Council District 12 which includes Chatsworth.

The Chatsworth Neighborhood Council successfully partnered with Smith for several years to remove the trailers from neighborhood streets.

-- City News Service contributed to this report.