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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

J.T.

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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

J.T.

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

J.T.

city near mountain during golden hour

L.A.’s 88 Cities, Smallest to Largest by Population

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For your reference, Los Angeles.

CityPopulation
Vernon96
Industry803
Bradbury963
Irwindale1,717
Rolling Hills1,974
Hidden Hills2,025
Avalon3,559
La Habra Heights6,161
Rolling Hills Estates8,157
Westlake Village8,872
Sierra Madre11,099
Signal Hill11,465
San Marino13,415
Commerce13,581
Malibu13,765
Palos Verdes Estates14,085
Hawaiian Gardens15,884
El Segundo17,049
Artesia17,608
Santa Fe Springs17,929
Hermosa Beach19,599
Lomita21,015
La Canada Flint21,261
South El Monte22,627
Duarte23,124
Agoura Hills23,387
Calabasas23,788
San Fernando25,366
South Pasadena25,881
Cudahy26,029
Maywood30,034
Walnut32,659
Lawndale33,641
La Verne34,051
Temple City35,892
Beverly Hills36,224
Manhattan Beach36,773
San Dimas36,946
Claremont37,608
West Hollywood37,805
Bell38,867
Monrovia39,984
Culver City40,722
Rancho Palos Verdes42,893
San Gabriel42,984
La Puente43,355
Bell Gardens47,002
Azusa49,207
Covina49,662
La Mirada50,015
Glendora52,830
Cerritos54,946
Arcadia56,719
Rosemead57,756
Paramount57,989
Diamond Bar61,019
Gardena61,927
Huntington Park64,219
Monterey Park65,027
Montebello65,781
Pico Rivera66,967
Redondo Beach68,105
Lynwood73,295
Bellflower77,312
Baldwin Park81,604
Lakewood83,636
Whittier87,128
Alhambra89,501
Hawthorne90,145
Santa Monica92,703
Carson98,047
Compton99,769
South Gate101,914
Burbank108,469
Norwalk109,817
West Covina112,890
Downey113,715
Inglewood119,053
El Monte126,424
Lancaster145,875
Torrance149,717
Pasadena151,576
Palmdale152,622
Pomona163,683
Santa Clarita177,641
Glendale207,902
Long Beach494,709
Unincorporated Areas1,095,276
Los Angeles4,094,764
Los Angeles County10,441,080

With over 10.4 million residents, Los Angeles County holds a larger population than 42 different U.S. states and the District of Columbia; our residents also make up 25% of California, whose annual GDP amounted to some $3 trillion as recently as 2020; this means that L.A. County made at least $750 billion in gross domestic product or economic output in 2020.

Source: California Department of Finance, January 2010

J.T.

EPISODE 70 – PLANNING FOR A ‘LIVED ENVIRONMENT’ WITH RICHARD AVILES

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In our 70th episode, we chat with Jose Richard Aviles (@soylamasnalgona), a queer, Latinx planner and multimedia artist with the Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley. Originally an L.A. native from South-Central Los Angeles, Richard describes growing up as an activist in L.A., current efforts in advocacy for “the lived environment over the built environment,” a new course at UCLA in Spring 2022, and how dance is “movement-building,” especially for marginalized bodies. A rich conversation for urban planners, artists, and L.A. aficionados everywhere. You can also find Richard’s free “Monday de Movimiento” sessions on Instagram at @soynalgona.

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