The Los Angeles City Council voted 14-0 to repeal a 1936 municipal code that prohibited residents from playing catch or sports on public streets, sidewalks, and certain parks. According to the Los Angeles Daily News, the outdated regulation carried penalties of up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail for unpermitted ball playing.
Councilmember Bob Blumenfield Leads Repeal Effort
Councilmember Bob Blumenfield initiated the repeal process in August 2025 after discovering Municipal Code Section 56.16 during a review of public rights-of-way, according to reporting by the Los Angeles Daily News. Blumenfield characterized the regulation as an uncommonly silly law that sent the wrong message regarding street safety.
During the council meeting, Blumenfield noted that traffic violence remains a pressing issue in the city. City officials confirmed that the Los Angeles Police Department rarely enforced the code.
History of the 1936 Anti-Ball Playing Ordinance
The city originally enacted the ordinance in 1936 amid rising concerns over automobile traffic and child pedestrian safety, according to the Daily Breeze. George Hjelte, who served as superintendent of Los Angeles playgrounds at the time, warned parents in local newspapers to keep children away from moving vehicles. The code made it a misdemeanor to play baseball, football, soccer, or basketball outside of designated areas, or to throw stones and other missiles across public property.
Kristine Cajulis, a communications deputy for Blumenfield, stated that her office found no record of widespread recent penalties under the statute, though isolated enforcement actions occurred in the past, according to the Los Angeles Daily News. One notable instance took place in 2006, when a resident was cited for maintaining a curbside basketball hoop that local children used for pickup games.
Community Support and Next Steps
Neighborhood councils and local safety advocates supported the unanimous council vote, noting that the benefits of outdoor recreation outweigh minor property risks, according to the Los Angeles Daily News. Groups such as Streets For All and Streets Are For Everyone endorsed the change as a step toward fostering a more pedestrian-friendly environment.
Following the council’s vote, officials directed the City Attorney’s Office to draft the formal repeal ordinance, as reported by the Los Angeles Daily News.
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