If a street lighting system has been recently constructed on your street, you should be sent a pamphlet with the following information accompanied by a Notice of Public Hearings to be held by the Board of Public Works and the City Council regarding the operation and maintenance of such systems.

The purpose of the Board hearing is to give each property owner in the district an opportunity to discuss any apparent error, omission or irregularity in the proceedings of assessments in order that they may be resolved.

The first public hearing held by the City Council is to allow public testimony regarding the proposed assessment. No action will be taken on the assessment at this first public hearing.

The second public hearing held by the City Council is to confirm the proceedings and assessments for maintenance and operation of the street lighting system.
 

Street Lighting Maintenance Assessments - Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a street lighting maintenance assessment?
A: Street lighting maintenance assessment is the means through which property owners in the City of Los Angeles pay their share of the cost of operating the street lighting system on their streets.

Q: What services are paid for by maintenance assessment?
A: The cost of electrical power, operation and maintenance (e.g. cleaning and re-lamping), and necessary repairs.

Q: Why do property owners pay?
A: The general property tax in the City of Los Angeles does NOT provide for financing the cost of operating street lights which benefit property owners. Property owners throughout the City who have street lights have contributed for many years their pro rata share of the cost of operating the street lighting system through maintenance assessments.

Q:    Is the light in front of my house MY light?
A:    No. The street lights are located by design to provide uniform levels of illumination along the street. The light in front of your house is probably providing light on the street for you neighbors on either side and across the street. These neighbors will be assessed their share of the cost of operating and maintaining the light located in front of your house as well as other lights which may benefit their property.

Q:   Will the cost to me and each of my neighbors be exactly the same?
A:   Not necessarily. The Administrative Code provides that each property owner be assessed for street lighting maintenance in proportion to the amount of benefit received. Various factors affect the final amount of assessment. Examples of these factors are: front footage, irregularities in shape of lot, corner lot, and zone differences.

Q:   How do I pay?
A:   In order to keep administrative costs at a minimum the City has arranged for you to include payment of the street lighting maintenance assessment as a part of your annual County Tax bill.

Q:   Okay, what's it going to cost me?
A:   The average cost for a single family residential lot with 50 feet of frontage on a local residential street recently has averaged about $50 per year. The amount may be somewhat larger based on the factors described in the answer to the question above. Also, the administrative coordination with the County Tax bill requires that the first payment for street lighting maintenance assessment be for the initial 3-year period of street lighting operation. Thereafter, it will be for a 1-year period.

Q:   Do I have to attend either the Board of Public Works or City Council Public Hearing on Street Lighting Maintenance Assessments?
A:    No, attendance is NOT REQUIRED. The Public Hearings are held so that any property owner who feels that an error or irregularity has occurred may describe the situation and have it resolved. Property owners who desire to protest may attend the hearings, or they may write to the City Clerk or they may do both to register their protest. You may secure additional information by calling (213) 485-5738. Please be prepared to identify your property by legal description.

Q: What happens if a street light burns out, or is damaged?
A:   The City depends to a large degree on citizens to report street lights which are damaged or out of service.  Please report street light outages by calling 3-1-1 (Outside of the City call (866) 452-2489 or (213) 473-3231) for prompt repair service.  PLEASE MAKE A NOTE OF THIS TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR FUTURE USE.