What does a YES vote on City of Los Angeles Measure PL mean?

LA's charter would replace Area Planning Commissions with a Neighborhood Appeals Commission, set a process for City Council review of planning decisions and change its timing, let the Planning Department decide quasi-judicial applications, and allow floor area rules to be changed by ordinance.

What does a NO vote on City of Los Angeles Measure PL mean?

LA's charter rules on planning commissions, appeals and planning decisions would stay as they are.

How many votes does City of Los Angeles Measure PL need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on City of Los Angeles Measure PL?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.

City of Los Angeles Measure PL (Los Angeles County)

Last updated Sat, Nov 7, 4:33 PM ET

Ballot measure · November 3, 2026 · Los Angeles voters

What it does: CITY PLANNING DEPARTMENT. CHARTER AMENDMENT PL. Shall the City Charter be amended to: establish a Neighborhood Appeals Commission to replace Area Planning Commissions and establish a process for City Council review of Neighborhood Appeals Commission and City Planning Commission decisions; change the timing and process for City Council action on certain planning decisions; grant the Planning Department the authority to investigate, hear, and determine applications for quasi-judicial review; and allow for changes to floor area regulations by ordinance?
A YES vote means: LA's charter would replace Area Planning Commissions with a Neighborhood Appeals Commission, set a process for City Council review of planning decisions and change its timing, let the Planning Department decide quasi-judicial applications, and allow floor area rules to be changed by ordinance.
A NO vote means: LA's charter rules on planning commissions, appeals and planning decisions would stay as they are.
Needed to pass: A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Left–right lean: Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

This measure comes from Charter Reform Commission recommendations that the City Attorney grouped into separate ballot measures for the November 2026 election, according to the City Attorney's June 16, 2026 report.

According to the Chief Legislative Analyst's impartial summary, it would replace the seven Area Planning Commissions (35 commissioners) with one Neighborhood Appeals Commission of at least seven members, put time limits on Council action on planning decisions, deem General Plan Amendments approved if the Council does not act within 75 days, and let the Council change the Charter's floor-area limit by ordinance.

The City Administrative Officer estimates annual commission costs would fall by $360,000, from $1.1 million to $740,000, with no revenue impact.

The City Clerk certified that the Council adopted the ballot resolution on June 30, 2026 'by a majority of all its members'.

Put on the ballot by Los Angeles City Council, June 30, 2026 (Council File 26-1100-S12; Ordinance No. 188994).

From official source 1, official source 2, official source 3, official source 4.

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on City of Los Angeles Measure PL mean?: LA's charter would replace Area Planning Commissions with a Neighborhood Appeals Commission, set a process for City Council review of planning decisions and change its timing, let the Planning Department decide quasi-judicial applications, and allow floor area rules to be changed by ordinance.
What does a NO vote on City of Los Angeles Measure PL mean?: LA's charter rules on planning commissions, appeals and planning decisions would stay as they are.
How many votes does City of Los Angeles Measure PL need to pass?: A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Should I vote yes or no on City of Los Angeles Measure PL?: SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.
When is the vote?: The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.

Not sure how to decide? Read our nonpartisan guide to the Los Angeles County ballot.

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