Bass Orders 20-Year Phase-Out of Los Angeles Oil Drilling

Mayor Karen Bass signed a citywide ordinance on Thursday that mandates the removal of all existing oil and gas wells within 20 years. The measure declares current drilling activities a nonconforming use in every zoning district. This action follows the City Council's approval of the bill on Wednesday.

Under the new rules, operators must stop drilling activities by 2046. The city may grant extensions only for well maintenance, servicing, or health and safety emergencies. A separate review process will evaluate any applications for these specific exceptions. The ordinance aims to eliminate emissions, noise, and truck traffic from residential areas.

Bass stated that residents have long suffered health impacts from nearby drilling sites. She described the signature as a final step in ending oil extraction in Los Angeles. Her remarks highlighted her decade-long push for environmental justice in state and federal roles. Bass emphasized that the city is changing its approach to neighborhood land use.

Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson called the vote a historic step for public health. He noted that working-class families in South Los Angeles have lived across the street from corporate drilling sites for years. The council leadership framed the law as a protection for frontline communities and communities of color. These groups have borne the brunt of land-use impacts near homes and schools.

The legal pathway for this ordinance required state intervention after a previous city law was struck down. In December 2022, Los Angeles passed a similar ban on new extraction. A court ruling later forced the city to rescind that measure. State lawmakers subsequently passed AB 3233, which reaffirmed local authority to regulate oil development. The new city ordinance relies on this state law to reestablish the phase-out.

Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky said residents have fought for over a decade to move wells away from daycares and parks. She stressed that the city must now ensure wells are plugged and sites are cleaned up. City officials also credited the group Stand Together Against Neighborhood Drilling, or STAND-LA, for 14 years of advocacy. Yaroslavsky added that the city must hold responsible companies accountable for site remediation.

STAND-LA released a statement thanking Bass and the City Council for their support. The group acknowledged the milestone while noting that frontline residents will still live near drilling sites tomorrow. The organization said the signature marks the start of the city's commitment to environmental justice. Residents will continue to advocate for protection from toxic oil pollution.