The Los Angeles City Council voted Tuesday to scrap a decades-old law that criminalizes playing catch on many residential streets and sidewalks.
In a 14-0 vote, the council told the city attorney to draft an ordinance repealing Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 56.16, which carries penalties of up to $1,000 and six months in jail for anyone tossing a ball outside designated areas.
Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, who wrote the repeal motion, called the rule “uncommonly silly” and said parents could technically be fined or jailed simply for playing catch with their children on the sidewalk in front of their homes.
At a Glance
- The council unanimously ordered the city attorney to eliminate the 1945-era ban.
- Violators currently face fines up to $1,000 and six months behind bars.
- The law also bars kids from pickup football or soccer games on quiet residential streets.
- Why it matters: The repeal would end the threat of criminal records for everyday neighborhood play.
What the Law Actually Says
Section 56.16 states:
> “No person shall play ball or any game of sport with a ball or football or throw, cast, shoot or discharge any stone, pellet, bullet, arrow or any other missile, in, over, across, along or upon any street or sidewalk or in any public park, except on those portions of said park set apart for such purposes.”
Blumenfield noted that other listed activities-such as firing a weapon-are already illegal under separate statutes, making the catch-all ball ban redundant.
Next Steps
The city attorney must now write the repeal ordinance. Once drafted, the council will vote again to finalize the change.
Key Takeaways
- The current law dates back to 1945.
- A single violation risks a $1,000 fine and six-month sentence.
- Council action was unanimous, signaling strong support for repeal.
