LA threatens to tow storage containers used by rebuilding Pacific Palisades residents

Pacific Palisades residents, engrossed in hardship since many lost their homes to wildfires last year, could be headed for more challenges.

The city of Los Angeles has reportedly threatened to tow storage containers holding the personal belongings of local residents who are rebuilding and charge them for removing the critical containers if they don’t move them in 48 hours.

Residents told NBC Los Angeles that the storage containers are needed as families store their furniture or building materials inside. Others told the outlet that the containers are burdensome, and can block traffic, creating congestion in the area.

Mayor Karen Bass’ office refused the removal timeline, telling The California Post that there “have been no blanket 48-hour notices issued by the Bureau of Street Services regarding” storage containers being removed.

Bass’ office also told NBC Los Angeles that the order did not come from her office, and she ordered the Bureau of Street Services to stop any potential enforcement related to storage units in the Palisades until this issue is resolved.

Local politicians are asking Bass to resolve the storage container issue.

“I’ve personally alerted and discussed it with Mayor Bass, and we will get this resolved,” councilmember Traci Parks told NBC LA. “We absolutely can and must manage space and access at the same time we accommodate residents trying to rebuild.”

A local Palisades group is upset about the storage container removals, which they told The Post emanated from an exchange between city official Charles Smith and storage company PODS.

“Across the Palisades these containers have been sitting in front of homes holding furniture, personal belongings, and materials during fire recovery. Now they’re being treated like a violation,” a post from Palisades HQ reads. “At a time when residents are trying to rebuild, the city is creating new problems instead of solving them.”

The group said the storage company was informed that they would have to remove the storage containers in the Palisades area within 48 hours or face enforcement actions from the city.

The city has requested for at least one POD to be removed, according to emails provided to The California Post from Palisades HQ. PODs told KTLA that they received several notices regarding their storage containers in the Palisades area.

One woman told KTLA a container was parked on the street, but because their backyard had burned down and their home is not yet ready to be moved into. She believes traffic isn’t an issue there.

“There’s no traffic in this town. Who is coming?” she asked. “There’s nothing to come here for unless you’re working or trying to come back to your house.”

The California Post asked Bass’ office about the enforcement actions, but they said they would reply in a future comment.

Social media commenters criticized Bass for the order, saying the containers wouldn’t be moved if they were disguised as RVs or homeless encampments.

“Wrap the pod to look like an RV and the city will be ok with it. Even better call it a “Hospis” and collect millions from the State and city,” one said.

“Throw a tent on top of it and say it’s a homeless encampment. They will NOT bother you… lol,” another commenter added.

The California Post reached out to the LA Department of Public Works for comment.

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