LA Lighting Assessment Raises Cost Concerns for CRE

The City of Los Angeles is moving forward with a proposed street lighting assessment that will go to a vote of property owners in the coming weeks.

City officials recently presented details directly to BOMA/GLA’s Government Affairs Committee—an important opportunity to better understand how this proposal could impact commercial properties and costs moving forward.

What You Need to Know

The Bureau of Street Lighting presented on an upcoming citywide street lighting assessment that will be sent to approximately 580,000 property parcels across Los Angeles.

The assessment, governed by Proposition 218, funds the maintenance and operation of roughly 250,000 streetlights and generates about $45 million annually.

Under the proposed structure, properties would be assessed based on land use and acreage—not frontage—with commercial properties treated similarly to residential.

Funds would support a $125 million program budget, covering maintenance, system protection (including theft and vandalism), lifecycle replacements, and support services.

The Bureau also highlighted ongoing challenges, including a significant repair backlog and rising infrastructure theft, alongside efforts to modernize through LED and solar technology.

How It Impacts You

For commercial property owners and managers, this proposal could introduce new or increased costs.

Treating commercial properties similarly to residential—raises concerns about fairness, especially for properties with different usage patterns, tenant density, and service needs.

Ballots will be sent directly to property owners, making participation in the voting process critical.

Stay Connected

This is an opportunity to weigh in on how street lighting services are funded—and to ensure commercial real estate perspectives are part of that conversation before any new costs are finalized.

Stay connected to BOMA on the Frontline for more news impacting members.