Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 630, granting Los Angeles and Alameda counties the authority to remove and dispose of abandoned or inoperable recreational vehicles (RVs). The law, authored by Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez, aims to address the issue of derelict vehicles and enhance local enforcement of RV regulations.
Under the new legislation, counties can streamline the removal of RVs valued at $4,000 or less until 2030. This expands on existing state law, which allowed for the disposal of vehicles valued at $500 or less if deemed abandoned or inoperable. The law requires a public agency to certify that an RV is inoperable before dismantling it. If a vehicle is wrongly removed, the agency must cover towing and storage costs. Additionally, cities and counties must report annually on the number of RVs removed and their status.
Supporters of the bill argue it provides necessary tools to tackle health and safety concerns posed by deteriorating RVs. However, homeless advocates worry about the impact on individuals using RVs as their primary shelter. They warn that without housing alternatives, removals could lead to further displacement.
The law takes effect on January 1, 2026, and will remain in place until January 1, 2030, serving as a pilot program to balance community safety with accountability.
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