Residents Sue City Over Hollywood Sign Tourism Issues

When Cynthia Cobb and her husband moved to Lake Hollywood in 2017, they sought a home with a scenic view and found one with a vista of the Hollywood sign. Initially, a few tourists would stop by the nearby park, but it was manageable since most were locals walking their dogs. However, post-pandemic, the park has seen increasing crowds, noted Cobb, a counselor at Hollywood High School. Tourists now block her driveway, ignore parking signs, and litter cigarette butts, even on high-fire-risk days.

On Monday, a group of neighbors living near the Hollywood sign filed a lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass, and Councilmember Nithya Raman. They demand action regarding the nuisance conditions caused by tourists. The residents claim the city contributed to these conditions due to a 15-year-old decision by a former councilman to clear brush, creating a vantage point that attracted crowds, and the city has since ignored the complaints.

Attorney Ilan Wurman, representing about 100 residents from Hollywoodland, Lake Hollywood Estates, and Hollywood Knolls, remarked, “They are at their wits’ end.” He added that these residents have been attempting to resolve this matter in good faith with the city for over a decade.

Persistent Access Issues

Access to the Hollywood sign has been contentious for years. Unlike other tourist spots in Los Angeles, the sign does not allow direct visitor access. Disputes between residents and city officials about street closures near the sign and hiking routes surface frequently. Visitors complain that homeowners are obstructing selfie opportunities.

An image submitted in the lawsuit shows a bag full of cigarette butts collected near Lake Hollywood Park. Wurman, previously involved in a prominent lawsuit over a homeless encampment in Phoenix, was informed of the issue when Cobb shared an article about him with a neighbor.

“We believe the city actively helped create this tourist location without addressing the resulting nuisances,” Wurman stated.

The complaint accuses the city of turning areas around the neighborhoods into a “public nuisance,” citing an instance in 2011 when Councilman Tom LaBonge cleared brush to allow for a viewing site. This location, now marked as a “Hollywood sign lookout” on Google Maps, attracts tourists and street vendors.

City’s Response and Ongoing Efforts

Mayor Bass’ office mentioned they hadn’t seen the lawsuit yet. However, they stated the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) increases patrols during peak periods in the Lake Hollywood area for traffic enforcement. Additionally, LAPD collaborates with the city’s transportation department to manage traffic.

Raman’s office couldn’t comment on active litigation, but highlighted steps taken to manage traffic and safety risks. Every year, they have funded additional LAPD and LADOT presence based on community feedback. Since May, deployments have been funded from July through Labor Day, leading to increased ticketing and towing.

Before the 2028 Olympics, a pilot plan addressing traffic during peak visitor times is scheduled for testing.

Although the city attorney’s office didn’t reply to The Times’ request for comment, concerns over sign-related congestion are not new. In 2011, neighbors had already voiced their dissatisfaction with the growing tourist numbers, fearing enhancements around the lookout would attract more visitors.

Residents’ Expectations

The lawsuit seeks an injunction, not monetary compensation. Residents want the city to control nuisances in the area. Wurman cited Paris’ regulations around the Eiffel Tower as a potential model for controlling tourist access. Alternatively, replanting vegetation around Canyon Lake Drive could help.

Cobb worries about potential disasters given the congested roads in her neighborhood. The risk of wildfires and blocked access for emergency services adds to her anxiety. Although she considers adding public restrooms to Lake Hollywood Park, it won’t resolve traffic issues.

“It’s like taking an aspirin for a headache when you have a brain tumor,” Cobb expressed.

She hopes the injunction will prompt city action, allowing her to feel safe in her neighborhood again.