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2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games (LA 2028) / Temporary Construction Moratorium

Council File 15-0989-S54

Introduced
2025-05-01
Last changed
2026-05-20
Status
open
Expires
2028-05-19
Committee
Ad Hoc Committee on the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games
Initiated by
Bureau of Engineering

Brief

The Bureau of Engineering proposed a temporary construction moratorium spanning the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games period. The measure directs the city to halt or restrict construction activity during the Games to minimize traffic congestion and public disruption. Council adopted the motion as amended by Councilmembers Park and Rodriguez on September 30, 2025, by a vote of 14-0-1. The file remains open pending further direction from the Ad Hoc Committee on the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Public Works Committee following a May 2026 Bureau of Engineering update.

Full summary

The Bureau of Engineering initiated this file in May 2025 to establish a temporary construction moratorium covering the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games period. Council adopted the measure on September 30, 2025, by a vote of 14-0-1, authorizing the Bureau to design and implement the moratorium in consultation with seven city agencies: the Office of Major Events, the Police Department, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Building and Safety, the Department of City Planning, the Bureau of Contract Administration, and the Bureau of Street Services. In a May 2026 implementation report, Interim City Engineer Alfred Mata laid out the moratorium's mechanics. From May 1, 2028 through September 1, 2028, city agencies that self-permit their own work cannot conduct construction, and permitting agencies cannot issue construction permits to outside parties, on a defined list of streets around nine venue areas. The restricted zones cover streets near Exposition Park and the Galen Center, LA Live and the Convention Center, Dodger Stadium, San Pedro, Universal Studios, the Sepulveda Basin, Riviera Country Club, Venice Beach, and UCLA. The broader window runs from May 1 to September 1 to accommodate pre-Games venue preparation and post-Games cleanup, even though the Olympics officially run July 14-30 and the Paralympics run August 15-27. Only emergency work is automatically exempt; it bypasses the moratorium entirely and follows the city's existing emergency protocol. All other non-emergency work requires a Construction Moratorium Exemption, which must be endorsed by both the local Council District office and the Office of Major Events before the Bureau of Engineering will issue a permit. The Bureau's report also includes a notable carve-out: exemptions for Pacific Palisades rebuild construction will be granted whenever possible without compromising Games security. The Department of Transportation sets and maintains the specific street boundary maps, which remain subject to change based on evolving venue and security needs. The May 2026 Bureau of Engineering report was filed as an informational update with no fiscal impact and was referred back to both the Ad Hoc Committee on the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Public Works Committee, where the file currently sits. The committees are likely reviewing the finalized street lists, exemption procedures, and any remaining implementation questions ahead of the moratorium taking effect in May 2028.

Activity (11)

  • 2026-05-20 Bureau of Engineering document(s) referred to Ad Hoc Committee on the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games ; Public Works Committee.
  • 2026-05-19 Document submitted by Bureau of Engineering, dated May 18, 2026.
  • 2025-10-01 Council action final.
  • 2025-09-30 Council adopted item as amended by Motion 28A (Park - Rodriguez), subject to reconsideration, pursuant to Council Rule 51.
  • 2025-09-26 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on September 30, 2025.
  • 2025-09-10 Public Works Committee approved item(s) .
  • 2025-09-04 Public Works Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on September 10, 2025.
  • 2025-08-27 Ad Hoc Committee on the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games approved item(s) .
  • 2025-08-25 Ad Hoc Committee on the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games scheduled item for committee meeting on August 27, 2025.
  • 2025-05-02 Bureau of Engineering document(s) referred to Ad Hoc Committee on the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games ; Public Works Committee.
  • 2025-05-01 Document(s) submitted by Bureau of Engineering, as follows:Bureau of Engineering report, dated April 30, 2025, relative to a moratorium on construction activity during the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Documents (6)

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