Los Angeles vs Norwalk
How do encampment sanitation rules compare between Los Angeles, CA and Norwalk, CA?
Los Angeles and Norwalk have similar restriction levels.
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles County
LAMC §56.11 governs storage of personal property in public, and LA Sanitation runs CARE and CARE+ encampment cleanups. Lavan v. Los Angeles (9th Cir. 2012) requires 24-hour notice, attended posting, and 90-day storage of seized property to satisfy Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment limits.
View full Los Angeles rules →Norwalk, CA
Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County conducts CARE-style encampment cleanups in unincorporated areas under Title 13.36 with mandatory 72-hour notice and property storage protections required by Lavan v. City of Los Angeles.
View full Norwalk rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Los Angeles | Norwalk |
|---|---|---|
| Authority | LAMC §56.11; Lavan ruling | - |
| Notice required | 24 hours minimum, 72 standard | 72 hours posted onsite |
| Storage period | 90 days at sanitation facility | - |
| Property cap | 60-gallon container limit | - |
| Operating teams | LASAN CARE and CARE+ | - |
| Property storage | - | 90-day minimum hold |
| Lead agency | - | DPW with Sheriff and DHS |
| Frequency | - | Every two to four weeks |
| Legal basis | - | Lavan v. Los Angeles 2012 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Los Angeles FAQ
What happens to belongings during a CARE+ clean-up?
Crews tag items: usable property goes to 90-day storage with a receipt, while bulky items, biohazards, or contaminated goods may be discarded immediately under §56.11(c).
How can someone reclaim stored property?
Visit the Bureau of Sanitation storage facility within 90 days with the receipt or identifying details. Items unclaimed after 90 days are donated or disposed.
Norwalk FAQ
Can the County throw away my tent and ID during a cleanup?
No. Lavan requires the County to store unattended retrievable property for 90 days at a published address. Only true trash, contaminated items, or bulky abandoned items may be discarded.
How much warning do I get before a sweep?
At least 72 hours of posted written notice on or near the encampment, listing the date, time, scope, and storage retrieval address. Health emergencies allow shorter notice with documentation.
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