By Makenna Cramer for LAist
Originally published on August 19, 2026
Topline:
The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday approved a move that would fast-track construction on some temporary projects for the 2028 Olympic Games by bypassing planning and zoning requirements.
Why it matters: The ordinance is designed to “establish relief” from review for certain projects around the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics to help “successfully execute” the events. The exempted projects could include anything from training facilities to fan zones and security perimeters.
The City Council voted 13-0 Wednesday to approve the ordinance. Councilmembers John Lee and Hugo Soto-Martínez were absent. Once council adjourns after its Friday meeting, the ordinance will head to L.A. Mayor Karen Bass for final approval, according to the city clerk’s office.
Concerns from neighborhood groups: Some neighborhood groups pushed back against the proposal in statements to the council, including North Hollywood Northeast and Westside.
Casey Maddren, president of United Neighborhoods for Los Angeles argued in a letter earlier this month that there is no defined project — only broad categories — and that the plan violates the city’s zoning code. Maddren wrote that the “biggest problem with the ordinance is that it also allows the construction of permanent projects, which could be designated as permanent either before or after construction.”
Go deeper: LA considers fast-tracking construction of temporary structures for promised ‘no build’ Olympics
LAist’s Libby Rainey contributed to this story.
