The city of Los Angeles will soon begin removing certain abandoned recreational vehicles (RVs) off the streets as a new state law is set to take effect next year, making it easier for city officials to dispose of the cars.
The Los Angeles City Council Tuesday approved a plan to implement Assembly Bill (AB) 630 or the Abandoned Recreational Vehicles Act, which allows police officers or city employees to get rid of abandoned or inoperable RVs that are estimated to be $4,000 or less in value.
Previously, local officials were only allowed to remove RVs whose estimated value is $500 or less.
AB 630, which only applies to LA and Alameda counties, passed the state legislature and was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on Oct. 13.
In a 13-2 vote, the city council approved the proposal as it will get updates on how the RV removal law is being implemented across the city. Councilmembers Hugo Soto-Martinez and Eunisses Hernandez cast the no vote.
The Department of Transportation and the Los Angeles Police Department will be providing a report in a month to explain how they plan to implement AB 630, including “operational procedures for identifying, valuing and processing abandoned recreational vehicles.”
“This involves a change to state law, which previously required that if an impounded vehicle had a value of at least $500, it was required to be sent to the auction lot for resale,” Councilmember Traci Park, who co-introduced the motion, said “This moves that number up to $4,000, which will help us get some of the most dilapidated, dangerous vehicles permanently off of our streets.
Under the new law, officials will have to notify 72 hours in advance before the RV is removed. The vehicle owner has 30 days to get the towed RV back and recover items from the car.
If the RV is unclaimed after 30 days, the local government can start the process of dismantling the car.
Critics have said the new law will take away the only form of shelter some Californians can afford, increasing the risk of displacing them without providing concrete housing solutions.
A man who said to have lived in his RV in Playa Vista for four years said he’s afraid he would lose his home.
“It seems like they are taking away people’s homes, that don’t have another option,” the man said. “The rent is so high, and mortgages are so high. For some people, their only option is to be in an RV.”
Councilmember Park said if a RV is ever removed, those impacted will always be offered alternative housing, which is a safer option for everyone.
Supporters of the law have argued the abandoned RVs often pose public safety, health and environmental hazards.
SB 630 was introduced by Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez (D-Los Angeles) in partnership with LA Mayor Karen Bass. With AB 630, Gonzalez aimed to expedite removal and responsible disposal of impounded RVs.
