LA City Council Explores Non-Resident Fees for Recreation and Parks Programs

The Los Angeles City Council has approved a proposal directing city staff to explore the possibility of charging fees to non-city residents who participate in programs and activities run by the Department of Recreation and Parks.

The council voted 14-0 to request a report examining the feasibility of implementing non-resident fees. Councilman Bob Blumenfield was absent during the vote. The report is expected to outline how similar fees are structured in other large California cities, estimate potential revenue, and provide a legal analysis of such a program.

The motion was introduced in October 2025 by Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez and seconded by Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky.

According to the proposal, the Department of Recreation and Parks oversees one of the most extensive municipal park systems in the country, with more than 450 parks, 180 recreation centers, 60 swimming pools, and 13 golf courses.

The motion notes that several cities already differentiate between residents and non-residents to recover costs and prioritize access for local residents. Pasadena charges non-city residents for recreation programs, swim lessons, and facility rentals. San Francisco imposes non-resident fees for youth enrichment programs, camps, and pool rentals, while Cupertino applies higher rates for non-residents using athletic fields and enrolling in recreation classes.

Supporters of the proposal say introducing non-resident fees would allow the department to reinvest additional revenue into maintaining and expanding recreation services, while keeping programs affordable for Los Angeles residents.

The move comes as city officials continue searching for new revenue sources after closing a $1 billion budget deficit last year and avoiding roughly 1,600 layoffs. In 2025, the city increased trash collection, sewer, and parking meter fees, and officials are expected to propose additional tax measures to support the Los Angeles Fire Department and the city’s general fund.

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