Chapter 9.04 — GENERAL OFFENSES

No person shall intentionally deface, tear down, obliterate or destroy any copy, transcript or extract of or from any ordinance of the city which shall be posted in, on or along any highway or other public place, or any proclamation, advertisement or notice set up or posted at any place by authority of any ordinance or law before the expiration of the time in which such proclamation, advertisement or notice was to remain set up or posted. Violation of this section shall be deemed an infraction and shall be punishable as provided in subsection (b) of Section 1.08.010 of this code.

(Prior code § 4101; Ord. 85-102 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-102U § 1, 1985; Ord. 90-270 § 1, 1990; Ord. 90-270U § 1, 1990)

No person shall consume any beer, wine or other intoxicating beverage on any public street, sidewalk, alley, highway, greenbelt, median island or parking lot without a permit from the city, or any private parking lot, walk, wall, stairway, driveway or other property open and accessible to the public without the permission of the owner, occupant or person in control of such private property.

(Prior code § 4103; Ord. 85-102 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-102U § 1, 1985; Ord. 90-260 § 1, 1990)

• a. No person shall sit, lie or sleep in or upon any public highway, green belt, median island, alley, sidewalk, crosswalk or other public place or way open for pedestrian or vehicular travel or appurtenant thereto.

• b. The provisions of this section do not prohibit a person from sitting upon a public highway, green belt, median island, alley, sidewalk, crosswalk or other public place if:

  1. Necessitated by the physical disability of such person; or

  2. Such person is viewing a legally conducted parade; or

3. Such person is seated on a bench lawfully installed for such purpose.

(Prior code § 4104; Ord. 85-102 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-102U § 1, 1985; Ord. 89-226 § 1, 1989)

• a. No person shall stand, sit or lie in or at or otherwise physically occupy the entrance of any place of public assemblage or place open to the public as to obstruct such entrance.

• b. No person shall stand, sit, lie or sleep in or at or otherwise physically occupy the entrance of any building adjacent to a public highway or sidewalk when the building is not open for business without the permission of the owner or person in lawful possession thereof.

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/WE5031 on 2026-07-07

City of West Hollywood, CA

WEST HOLLYWOOD CODE

§ 9.04.040

§ 9.04.090

• c. Following an order to disburse by a law enforcement officer, no person shall stand, sit or lie on or otherwise physically occupy a sidewalk or walkway in a manner as to obstruct the reasonable passage of pedestrian traffic or constitute a public safety hazard.

• (Prior code § 4105; Ord. 85-102 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-102U § 1, 1985; Ord. 04-687 § 1, 2004; Ord. 08-789 § 1, 2008)

• a. No person shall leave or permit to remain outside of the person's immediate possession any merchandise, goods, furniture, baggage or any other article of personal property on any public highway, alley, sidewalk, parkway, crosswalk, median or other public way open for pedestrian travel, except trash collection receptacles placed in accordance with the provisions of this code.

• b. No owner or other person in possession or control of property shall allow trees, shrubs or any other form of vegetation to encroach from private property onto or above any public highway, street, alley, crosswalk or any other way open for pedestrian or vehicular travel so as to interfere with or impede pedestrian or vehicular travel, to obstruct traffic signs or signals from view, or to reduce or obstruct traffic visibility.

• c. No owner or other person in possession or control of property shall without an encroachment permit issued by the city allow any structure or portion of a structure to encroach from private property onto or above any public highway, street, alley, crosswalk or any other way open for pedestrian or vehicular travel.

(Prior code § 4106; Ord. 85-102 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-102U § 1, 1985; Ord. 89-229 § 1, 1989; Ord. 07-751 § 3, 2007)

No person shall deposit, turn, drain or divert, or permit by seepage, overflow or otherwise, any mud, rotary mud, sand, water, oil or liquid of petroleum content into or upon any public street, drainage ditch, storm drain, or flood control channel owned or operated by any agency. (Prior code § 4107; Ord. 85-102 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-102U § 1, 1985)

No person shall construct or maintain any gate in any fence which opens outward or remains opened outward over any portion of any public street or sidewalk. Violation of this section shall be subject to the administrative penalty procedures provided in Chapter 1.08 of this code. (Prior code § 4108; Ord. 85-102 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-102U § 1, 1985; Ord. 16-988 § 3, 2016)

No person on a street or sidewalk, or in any doorway or entrance set back less than ten feet from the front property line, shall make or cause to be made in any manner any loud or raucous noise for the purpose of advertising, announcing or calling attention to any goods, wares or merchandise, or to any show, exhibition, entertainment or event.

(Prior code § 4109; Ord. 85-102 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-102U § 1, 1985)

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/WE5031 on 2026-07-07

City of West Hollywood, CA

PUBLIC PEACE AND SAFETY

§ 9.04.090

§ 9.04.150

Any person who deposits or throws any paper or other litter or trash on any public highway or sidewalk or on any private property without the consent of the owner or person in lawful possession thereof, shall be deemed to be an infraction.

(Prior code § 4110; Ord. 85-102 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-102U § 1, 1985; Ord. 16-988 § 4, 2016)

Between the hours of 12:00 midnight and the time of sunrise immediately following, no minor under the age of eighteen years shall, unless accompanied by the minor's parent or legal guardian or spouse over the age of eighteen years of age, loiter, idle, loaf, stand idly by or walk, drive or ride about aimlessly, without lawful purpose, about the public streets, avenues, alleys, parks, or other public places (such as shopping centers, public buildings, public grounds, parking lots, parks and playgrounds) which are not at the time open for business or recreation. (Prior code § 4111; Ord. 87-175 § 1, 1987)

No parent, guardian, or other person having the legal care, custody, or control of any minor under the age of eighteen years shall knowingly aid, abet, or encourage such minor to violate any provision of this chapter.

(Prior code § 4112; Ord. 85-102 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-102U § 1, 1985)

• a. No person shall carry in plain view on his or her person any knife having a blade of three or more inches in length; any spring-blade, switch-blade or snap-blade knife; any knife whose blade is automatically released by a spring mechanism or other mechanical device; any ice pick or similar sharp stabbing tool; any straight-edge razor; or any razor blade fitted to a handle.

• b. The foregoing restrictions shall not be deemed to prohibit the carrying of ordinary tools or equipment for use in a lawful occupation or for the purpose of lawful recreation.

• (Prior code § 4113; Ord. 85-102 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-102U § 1, 1985)

No person shall shoot, fire or discharge, nor cause nor permit to be shot, fired or discharged, any rifle, shotgun, pistol, revolver or other firearm in the general direction and within one-half mile of any house, camp, or other place of human habitation, or in the general direction and within one-half mile of any public highway, road, street, way, park, or premises. (Prior code § 4114; Ord. 85-102 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-102U § 1, 1985)

No person shall shoot, fare or discharge, nor cause nor permit to be shot, fired or discharged, any arrow or other missile in the general direction and within four hundred yards of any house, camp, or other place of human habitation or any public highway, road, street, way, park, or premises. (Prior code § 4115; Ord. 85-102 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-102U § 1, 1985)

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/WE5031 on 2026-07-07

City of West Hollywood, CA § 9.04.150

WEST HOLLYWOOD CODE

§ 9.04.185

No person shall sell, give away or in any way furnish to any minor who is under the age of thirteen years any broadhead arrow.

(Prior code § 4116; Ord. 85-102 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-102U § 1, 1985)

No person shall sell, give away, or in any way furnish to any minor who is thirteen years of age or over and under fifteen years of age any broadhead arrow, unless such person first obtains the written consent thereto of his or her parents or legal guardian.

(Prior code § 4117; Ord. 85-102 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-102U § 1, 1985)

No minor under the age of thirteen years shall shoot or otherwise use any broadhead arrow. (Prior code § 4118; Ord. 85-102 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-102U § 1, 1985)

Every person who sells or otherwise deals in broadhead arrows shall post conspicuously at all times at his or her place of business a true copy of Sections 9.04.150 – 9.04.180 of this chapter. (Prior code § 4119; Ord. 85-102 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-102U § 1, 1985)

• a. No person, including those with a valid concealed carry firearm license, shall bring into, or possess, display, brandish, or discharge a firearm, including a concealed firearm, in or upon any of the following facilities or areas:

  1. Any building owned by or under the control of the city government for the purpose of government administration;

  2. Any city park; or

  3. Any city-owned or leased parking garages and parking lots open to the public that are intertwined with the sites listed in subsections a.1 and a.2 above.

• b. This section shall not apply to the following:

  1. Sworn law enforcement personnel on duty;

  2. Sworn law enforcement personnel off duty, upon showing law enforcement identification upon entry or demand;

  3. Armed security under contract with the city and pursuant to the terms of the contract; or

  4. Retired law enforcement officers authorized to carry firearms pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 926C, with proper identification.

• c. Penalties and Remedies.

  1. A violation of this section shall constitute a misdemeanor;

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/WE5031 on 2026-07-07

City of West Hollywood, CA

PUBLIC PEACE AND SAFETY

§ 9.04.185

§ 9.04.230

2. Any person who violates any provision of this section may be subject to a civil action, including, but not limited to, an injunction and other equitable remedies, and shall be liable for a civil penalty of up to $2,500 per violation, per day, as well as attorneys' fees;

3. The penalties and remedies provided for in this section are nonexclusive and are cumulative with any other remedy available to the city as provided for by law.

• (Ord. 25-11, 6/9/2025)

Any firearm, arrow or other missile whose possession or use violates, including by attempt, any provision of this chapter shall upon conviction of the defendant be deemed a nuisance. Any such firearm shall be surrendered to the Sheriff who shall dispose of the object in accordance with the provisions of Penal Code Section 12028.

(Prior code § 4120; Ord. 85-102 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-102U § 1, 1985)

• a. The wholesale or retail gun dealer shall not sell, lease or otherwise transfer, for a consideration, to any person, other than any authorized law enforcement personnel, any firearm ammunition that has no hunting or marksmanship purpose and which is designed to expand upon impact. Such firearm ammunition includes, but is not limited to, Black Talon bullets, 9 millimeter bullets, .50 caliber bullets, teflon-coated bullets and hollowpoint bullets.

• b. The wholesale or retail gun dealer shall not sell, lease or otherwise transfer, for any consideration, any firearm ammunition to any person who is forbidden by city, state or federal law from buying or possessing a firearm.

(Prior code § 4123; Ord. 95-451 § 26, 1995; Ord. 98-523 § 1, 1998; Ord. 00-560 § 1, 2000)

The provisions of Sections 9.04.220 through 9.04.270 do not prohibit any act either positively permitted or prohibited by state law.

(Prior code § 4125; Ord. 86-127 § 1, 1986)

No person shall deal, play, carry on, or conduct:

• a. Any game where players bet or wager money, checks, credits or other things of value against each other; or

• b. Any game of chance for money, checks, credits or other things of value.

1. Editor's Note: Section 9.04.200, Saturday Night Specials – Sale Prohibited , was repealed by Ord. 01-593. Ordinances, or parts of ordinances formerly codified in this section, include Ord. 96-464U §§ 2, 3, 1996; Ord. 96-463 §§ 2, 3, 1996; Ord. 96-459U §§ 1, 2, 1996; and Ord. 95-453 § 2, 1995: the section was originally codified as prior code § 4122.

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/WE5031 on 2026-07-07

City of West Hollywood, CA § 9.04.230

WEST HOLLYWOOD CODE

§ 9.04.300

(Prior code § 4126; Ord. 86-127 § 1, 1986)

No person shall bet or wager at or on any game. (Prior code § 4127; Ord. 86-127 § 1, 1986)

No person shall knowingly permit any game prohibited by Sections 9.04.220 through 9.04.270 to be played, conducted or dealt in any house or other premises owned by, rented by, or in the lawful possession of such person.

(Prior code § 4128; Ord. 86-127 § 1, 1986)

No person shall knowingly resort to, attend, visit or be in any house, room or other place in the city where there is any gambling being conducted, played or carried on. (Prior code § 4129; Ord. 86-127 § 1, 1986; Ord. 88-193 § 1, 1988)

The sheriff shall destroy anything which is used, kept, placed or maintained in violation of any statute or of Sections 9.04.220 through 9.04.270 or any ordinance after any person owning, possessing or having control of such cards, game or thing has pleaded guilty to or has been convicted of such violation, and such plea of guilty or conviction has become final. (Prior code § 4130; Ord. 86-127 § 1, 1986)

• a. As used in Section 9.04.290, the term "replica firearm" shall include any device or object made of plastic, wood, metal or any other material which is a facsimile or toy version of, or is otherwise recognizable as, a pistol, revolver, shotgun, sawed-off shotgun, rifle, machine gun, rocket launcher, or any other firearm as that term is used under the provisions of Sections 12001, 12001.5, 12020(d)(1), and 12570 of the state Penal Code.

• b. For purposes of this chapter, the meaning of the term firearm shall be the same as the meaning of that term under the Dangerous Weapons Control Laws and shall include air rifles, pellet guns or BB guns.

(Prior code § 4135; Ord. 87-165 § 1, 1987)

Every person who, except in self defense, in the presence of any other person, draws, exhibits or brandishes a replica firearm or who simulates a firearm in a rude, angry and threatening manner, or who in any manner, unlawfully uses the same in any fight or quarrel and causes the victim to reasonably believe that the person is actually in possession of an operable firearm is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Prior code § 4136; Ord. 87-165 § 1, 1987)

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/WE5031 on 2026-07-07

City of West Hollywood, CA

PUBLIC PEACE AND SAFETY

§ 9.04.300

§ 9.04.310

• a. No person shall remain in the interior of a retail establishment, after being notified by the owner or lessee or other person in charge thereof, or by a peace officer at such person's direction, to leave the interior of such establishment.

• b. No person, without permission, express or implied, of the owner or lessee or other person in charge of a retail establishment, shall enter into such establishment after having been notified by the owner or lessee or other person in charge thereof, or by a peace officer at such person's direction, to keep out of or keep away from such retail establishment.

• c. Exceptions. This section shall not apply in any of the following instances:

  1. Where its application results in or is coupled with an act prohibited by the Unruh Civil Rights Act or any other provision of law relating to prohibited discrimination against any person on account of color, race, religion, sexual orientation, medical condition, creed, ancestry or national origin;

  2. Where its application results in or is coupled with an act prohibited by Section 365 of the California Penal Code or any other provision of law relating to duties of innkeepers and common carriers; or

  3. Where the person who is upon another's private property or business premises is there under claim or color of legal right. This exception is applicable (but not limited to) the following types of situations involving disputes wherein the participants have available to them practical and effective civil remedies: marital and post-marital disputes; child custody or visitation disputes; disputes regarding title to or rights in real property; landlord-tenant disputes; disputes between members of the same family or between persons residing upon the property concerned up until the time of the dispute; employer-employee disputes; business-type disputes such as those between partners; debtor-creditor disputes; and instances wherein the person claims rights to be present pursuant to order, decree or process of a court.

• d. For purposes of this section, "retail establishments" shall mean an establishment engaged in one or more commercial or mercantile activities for the purpose of earning in whole or in part, a profit or livelihood whether or not a profit or livelihood is actually earned thereby, and includes, but is not limited to, retail stores, restaurants, and hotels.

• (Prior code § 4138; Ord. 91-280 § 1, 1991; Ord. 91-294 § 1, 1991)

• a. No person shall coerce, threaten, hound, or intimidate another person for the purpose of soliciting alms on the street or other place that is open to the public, whether publicly or privately owned.

• b. For purposes of this section, "soliciting" shall mean asking for money or something of value, whether by words, bodily gestures, signs, or other means. For purposes of this section "coerce, threaten, hound, or intimidate" shall mean that:

  1. The solicitor's conduct causes a reasonable solicitee to fear for his or her safety; or

  2. The solicitor intentionally blocks the path of the solicitee; or

  3. The solicitor follows the solicitee while the solicitor demands money or something of value after the solicitee informs the solicitor by words or conduct that the solicitee

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/WE5031 on 2026-07-07

City of West Hollywood, CA § 9.04.310

WEST HOLLYWOOD CODE

§ 9.04.340

does not want to give the solicitor money or some other thing of value to which he or she is not entitled under law.

(Prior code § 4139; Ord. 93-376 § 1, 1993)

• a. For purposes of this section, a "laser pointer" is a hand held device which, through the stimulation of atoms by light waves, emits a narrow and intense beam of light.

• b. No person shall sell a laser pointer to any person under eighteen years of age.

• c. No person under eighteen years of age shall purchase, possess or use a laser pointer unless under the direct supervision of the minor's parent, legal guardian, teacher or other adult authorized by the parent or legal guardian to exercise such supervision.

• d. Except as required for performance of medical procedures, no person shall direct the beam of laser pointer directly or indirectly into the eye or eyes of another person or into a moving vehicle.

(Prior code § 4140; Ord. 99-541 § 1, 1999)

• a. No person or entity, other than the City of West Hollywood and any of its departments or designees, shall sell, lease or reserve for compensation, or facilitate the sale, lease or reservation for compensation of any public parking space in any location without written authorization from the city.

• b. Any person violating this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punishable as provided for in subsection (a) of Section 1.08.010 of this code.

• (Ord. 15-951 § 2, 2015)

• a. It shall be unlawful for any person to interfere with, disrupt or impede a special event permitted pursuant to Chapter 19.54 of this code. "Disruption" and "impeding" within the meaning of this section includes, but is not limited to, the following acts:

  1. To deliberately block, obstruct or impede the passage of participants in the special event.

  2. To deliberately enter or intrude by any means upon the physical space assigned or reserved to the special event.

  3. To drop, throw, squirt, or propel any gaseous, liquid, semisolid or solid substance or object toward or among the participants in the permitted special event.

  4. To commit any willful act for the purpose of delaying the permitted special event or interfering with the participants of the special event.

• (Ord. 17-1006 § 1, 2017)

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/WE5031 on 2026-07-07

City of West Hollywood, CA § 9.08.010

PUBLIC PEACE AND SAFETY

§ 9.08.030