charming los angeles neighborhood street scene

Speaking of Sidewalks, see this report by the City Controller’s Office on our Sidewalk Repair “Strategy”

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Recently the L.A. Times’ Steve Lopez wrote that “More than 30,000 people are waiting for their broken sidewalks to get fixed[.]” It raised yours truly’s eyebrow, which led to uncovering the following report on the city of L.A.’s 50,000+ broken sidewalk problem.

Of course, nearly five years after the publication of this report–and ten years after the Willits Settlement that mandated it–pedestrians in Los Angeles are still closer to a 125 year wait time for fully repaired sidewalks relative to the reported need. Nonetheless, what the document should make clear to all of us is that we absolutely have legal standing to hold the city to its word over its sidewalk repair process-or really–its lack thereof.

Please also note that the information provided on jimbotimes.com does not constitute legal advice, nor does it establish an attorney-client relationship. The material included is for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current legal developments. You should not act upon this information without also obtaining professional counsel from a licensed California attorney.

Source: Repairing L.A.’s Broken Sidewalk Strategy, 2021 Public Works

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people at the stockholm public library in sweden

Gentrification in our neighborhood necessitates forgetfulness; the same goes for the gentrification of the internet

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“In response to the risk of materials falling into oblivion, humanity has built libraries and archives big and small, and developed rigorous preservation practices, so that the past need not be so easily lost. These institutions have not always collected fairly, nor have they always been accessible. Yet now more than ever, with the help of dedicated individuals and communities, these institutions seek to ethically collect and preserve culture broadly.”

“Corporate interests interfering with the library mission—that is, preserving and making culture accessible to the public—is far from new. Historically, legal protections for crucial library services such as interlibrary loan, electronic reserves for students, photocopying, and reformatting exceptions for patrons with print disabilities, were only secured after publishers attempted (and failed) to challenge these practices in court.”

Source: Vanishing Culture: A Report on Our Fragile Cultural Record (2026), Internet Archive

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a busy street in new york city new york united states

Los Angeles, as Pedestrians, you have the right of way on your sidewalks

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Recently yours truly was pointed to a Municipal Code which certifies the right of the public to move about freely and accessibly through sidewalks belonging to the People of the City of Los Angeles. See the document for yourself below for details.

Of course, this doesn’t guarantee pedestrians full protection from a person or entity or group’s very capability to impede the right of way, but it does ensure that people have grounds for protest whilst hampered by such impediments.

To be fully clear though: Please note that the information provided on jimbotimes.com does not constitute legal advice, nor does it establish an attorney-client relationship. The material included is for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current legal developments. You should not act upon this information without also obtaining professional counsel from a licensed California attorney.

Source: Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 56.12, City Clerk

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aerial view of snow covered car lot in winter

Los Angeles, under California Law, you’ve got up to an hour at any public parking lot

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Earlier this week a video by the L.A. Times’ 404 division caught the attention of yours truly when it cited a section of law stating that motorists are entitled to at least an hours’ grace time when parking at any public parking lot owned as private property by a store or vendor. Yours truly went ahead and looked up the code, VEH 22953, and can now verify the video’s information is accurate. See the document for yourself below for details.

Of course, this doesn’t guarantee a motorist full protection from a lot owner’s very capability to stir up trouble over a parking space or two, but it does make for some better news in Los Angeles given so much to the contrary these days.

To be fully clear though: Please note that the information provided on jimbotimes.com does not constitute legal advice, nor does it establish an attorney-client relationship. The material included is for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current legal developments. You should not act upon this information without also obtaining professional counsel from a licensed California attorney.

Source: Code Section, California Legislative Information

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griffith observatory and los angeles skyline

Los Angeles, here is the city’s proposed budget for FY 2026 – 2027

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According to Planning Director Vincent P. Bertoni, in 2025: “Forty-two (42) Zoning Review Program positions were functionally transferred from the Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) to City Planning. With all zoning functions now residing in a single City department, City Planning is completing our departmental reorganization that will facilitate streamlined and efficient processing of essential development projects in Los Angeles. The Department will launch the new Development Services Bureau in January 2026 that will create a “One-Stop-Shop” for all zoning related services in the City, providing a streamlined, efficient, and customer-centered experience for project applicants under both the Original Zoning Code and the recently adopted New Zoning Code (Emphasis mine).”

L.A. City Council has to decide to modify or adopt this proposal before July 1st. But as the old saying goes, “to be forewarned is to be forearmed.”

Source: FY 2026 – 2027 Department Budget Requests, Los Angeles Department of City Planning

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