L.A. City Council Approves Streetlight Fee Hike for Property Owners

The measure aims to address widespread outages and aging infrastructure across the city.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 11:05pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting of a streetlight pole in motion, with overlapping geometric shapes and waves of warm amber, deep indigo, and electric blue colors, conceptually representing the complex issues surrounding the proposed streetlight fee increase.The proposed streetlight fee increase aims to address the city's aging infrastructure and widespread outages, but raises concerns about affordability for residents.Los Angeles Today

The Los Angeles City Council has approved an ordinance to begin the process of increasing streetlight maintenance assessment fees for property owners. The proposal is expected to generate an estimated $125 million to repair damaged streetlights and upgrade outdated systems. Officials noted the assessment fee has not been raised since 1996 and would impact approximately 584,000 properties tied to the city's 225,000 streetlights.

Why it matters

Many of L.A.'s streetlights have fallen into disrepair due to decades of underfunding and repeated copper wire theft, leaving 1 in 10 streetlights dark. The fee increase is intended to provide the necessary funding to address these infrastructure issues and improve public safety across the city.

The details

The measure passed in a 13-1 vote, with Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez opposing the increase due to concerns about affordability for residents and businesses already facing financial strain. As required under Prop 218, the city will notify affected property owners and initiate a ballot process for approval. A public hearing on the fee increase is scheduled for June 2.

  • The Los Angeles City Council approved the ordinance on April 2, 2026.
  • A public hearing on the fee increase is scheduled for June 2, 2026.

The players

Los Angeles City Council

The governing body of the city of Los Angeles, responsible for approving the streetlight fee increase.

Eunisses Hernandez

A Los Angeles City Councilwoman who cited the widespread streetlight outages and the need for increased funding to address the issue.

Monica Rodriguez

A Los Angeles City Councilwoman who opposed the measure due to concerns about affordability for residents and businesses.

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What they’re saying

“Today, 1 in 10 streetlights in the city of L.A. will sit dark.”

— Eunisses Hernandez, Los Angeles City Councilwoman

“We cannot keep throwing money at temporary fixes.”

— Eunisses Hernandez, Los Angeles City Councilwoman

What’s next

As required under Prop 218, the city will notify affected property owners and initiate a ballot process for approval. A public hearing on the fee increase is scheduled for June 2.

The takeaway

The streetlight fee increase is a necessary step to address the widespread infrastructure issues and improve public safety in Los Angeles, but it also raises concerns about the financial burden on residents and businesses already facing economic challenges.