Los Angeles Speed Bump & Traffic Calming Ordinance Guide

Transportation California 3 Minutes Read · published February 02, 2026 Flag of California

In Los Angeles, California, residents who want speed bumps or other traffic calming measures must follow the city process managed through official traffic and street agencies. This guide explains how neighborhoods request traffic calming, which departments review and install devices, what to expect during evaluation, and how enforcement and appeals work in Los Angeles.

How the request process works

Neighborhood requests start with a resident petition and investigation by the City of Los Angeles transportation staff. The process typically includes initial screening, traffic studies, community outreach, and engineering review before any installation. For program details and eligibility criteria see the City Transportation page LADOT Neighborhood Traffic Management[1].

Begin by contacting your council district office and LADOT to confirm the local procedure.

Typical steps and timeline

  1. Submit a neighborhood complaint or petition to LADOT or the designated local traffic office.
  2. Initial screening for eligibility and safety; staff determine if traffic calming tools are appropriate.
  3. Traffic data collection (speed, volume) and engineering analysis.
  4. Community outreach and petition validation; some programs require a percentage of affected households to support the measure.
  5. Design approval and scheduling for installation (subject to budget and work plan).
  6. Installation and follow-up monitoring; long-term maintenance assigned to StreetsLA or LADOT per program rules.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement and penalties specific to unauthorized alterations, damage to traffic calming devices, or noncompliance with installation rules are handled by the City. The transportation or street maintenance departments coordinate removal, repairs and referrals to enforcement as needed. The cited city program page does not list specific fine amounts or escalation schedules and instead describes administrative enforcement pathways LADOT Neighborhood Traffic Management[1].

Enforcement details

  • Enforcer: Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) and StreetsLA coordinate inspections and maintenance responses.
  • Inspection and complaint pathway: report concerns to LADOT Traffic Safety or StreetsLA service requests; contact links are in Resources below.
  • Fines: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation: not specified on the cited page; administrative orders or removal may be used.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: repair orders, removal of unauthorized devices, work orders; possible referral to code enforcement or municipal counsel for persistent violations.
  • Appeals/review: appeal routes and time limits are not explicitly listed on the cited program page; contact LADOT for the official appeal procedure.
If a device is installed without approval, the city may order its removal and pursue repair costs.

Applications & Forms

The LADOT neighborhood traffic management page describes petition, study, and outreach steps but does not publish a single universal fee or a uniform centralized application form on the cited page. Residents should contact LADOT Traffic Safety for the current petition form and submittal instructions LADOT Neighborhood Traffic Management[1]. If no form is posted, LADOT staff will provide the required petition template and guidance.

How-To

  1. Contact LADOT Traffic Safety to request the neighborhood traffic management packet and verify eligibility.
  2. Organize a neighborhood petition or outreach according to LADOT instructions and gather required signatures or support documentation.
  3. Allow LADOT to conduct traffic counts and engineering review; respond to any data requests.
  4. Participate in required community outreach or meetings; follow the petition validation steps.
  5. If approved, coordinate scheduling and any local requirements for installation with StreetsLA or LADOT.

FAQ

How do I start a request for a speed bump in my Los Angeles neighborhood?
Contact LADOT Traffic Safety to request the neighborhood traffic management packet and follow the petition and study process outlined by the department.
Is there a fee to apply for a speed hump?
The LADOT program page does not list a standard application fee; contact LADOT for current fee information or required deposits.
Who maintains installed speed humps?
Maintenance responsibility is assigned by city departments—typically StreetsLA or LADOT—per the program rules after installation.

Key Takeaways

  • Start by contacting LADOT Traffic Safety and your council office to request the petition packet.
  • Expect data collection, community outreach, and an engineering review before approval.
  • If installed, long-term maintenance is handled by city street maintenance divisions.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Los Angeles - LADOT Neighborhood Traffic Management

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