Los Angeles City Council canceled a law that does not allow to live in a vehicle in residential areas and near schools. Earlier in 2016, the city council had passed a law that allows overnight car camping only in non-residential areas and at least one block away from schools and parks.
Since 1 July, it is now legal to live in a vehicle overnight anywhere in Los Angles because the council did not vote to extend the old law. In Venice, where 450 people live in their cars, vans or RVs, it is working very well for them. Other people in Los Angeles can enjoy car camping at any place after preparing a car camping checklist.
Capt. James Setzer of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Pacific Division said that Venice’s neighborhood prosecutor is working to make sure the council votes on the law. He wants the council to extend the law because the police must see inside the car to look for evidence that someone is sleeping in the car. As it is expired now, they can only check the cars if someone is violating the state law against parking for more than 72 hours.
The new law is made by the city council to facilitate the expansion of safe parking programs and people could stay in their car overnight if they want. The Los Angeles City Council is expected to vote on the new law soon with a proposed extension to January 2020.
