Residents sue city after vehicle traffic near Hollywood Sign jumps 15%

Hollywood Hills neighbors filed public nuisance lawsuits against the city of Los Angeles on Oct. 26, seeking a court order to clear obstructions and hazards from the area near the iconic landmark. The suit does not request financial damages. Instead, it asks a judge to force the city to maintain the streets and sidewalks so they remain free of health risks and fire dangers.

The group filed the suit after years of complaints yielded little change. Tensions peaked following a Sept. 27 altercation between e-bike riders and a car driver beneath the sign, which was captured on video. Cindy Cobb, who has lived in the neighborhood for eight years, told CBS California Investigates that the frustration level had reached its peak.

City officials say they have increased enforcement. Mayor Karen Bass' office stated that LAPD has deployed additional units during peak congestion periods. The office also noted that LAPD is working with the LA Department of Transportation to implement a traffic plan. Councilmember Nithya Raman's office said it used discretionary funds to increase LAPD and LADOT presence since May. This funding represents the largest investment her office has made for the area to date.

Raman's office is moving forward with a pilot Hollywood Sign Traffic Management Plan. The plan will test new staffing and traffic control methods on peak visitor days and holidays. Officials aim to have a plan in place before the 2028 Olympics. In May, the city installed new signs restricting weekend and holiday parking. Despite these measures, residents argue the volume of visitors overwhelms the small space.

City traffic camera data shows the problem is worsening. During a 13-day period in July 2025, 42,000 vehicles traveled through the neighborhood. This summer, that number rose to more than 48,200 vehicles during the same timeframe, marking a 15% increase. The lawsuit claims these jams can make evacuating during a fire difficult or impossible.

Neighbors also point to health issues caused by the crowds. They say unlicensed food vendors leave behind plastic gloves, sanitary wipes, and used toilet paper. Discarded cigarette butts are common despite smoking prohibitions. The group has joined forces with attorney Ilan Wurman, who has filed similar nuisance lawsuits in other cities. Wurman's firm won a judgment to clear an encampment in 2022.

Residents say the suits are a last resort. Max Martens, a neighbor, filmed a fire engine weaving through congestion to reach a nearby blaze. He also recorded a standoff between drivers on a narrow road. Martens said he has watched police, ambulance, and fire vehicles get caught in traffic snarls. He added that if an urgent emergency or evacuation occurred, everyone would be in trouble.

The lawsuits mark a shift from negotiation to legal action. While city leaders support increased enforcement and potential infrastructure changes like bathrooms, residents believe the current approach is insufficient. The legal battle will determine whether the court orders the city to act differently on the streets surrounding the Hollywood Sign.