Los Angeles County Repeals Oil Well Ordinance

In a significant move, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors last week unanimously repealed Ordinance No. 81, an oil well ordinance that sought to phase out local oil and gas production. The repeal was approved on the consent calendar with no discussion or public comment.

The repeal effectively eliminates those provisions and represents a step back from one of the state’s most aggressive local anti-oil measures.

The California Independent Petroleum Association (CIPA) and its members have consistently voiced strong opposition to such policies, warning they would eliminate local jobs, reduce energy reliability, and expose the County to legal and financial risks.

CIPA will continue to monitor any further actions by the County and keep members informed of any developments related to zoning, permitting, and regulatory frameworks that impact local production.

Here is the language of Ordinance 81:

• 81. County Code, Title 22 - Planning and Zoning Ordinance Amendment - Ordinance for adoption repealing Ordinance No. 2023-0004, which removed the exemption for the operation of oil and gas wells from County Code, Title 12 -  Environmental Protection, Chapter 12.08 - Noise Control, and amended County  Code, Title 22 - Planning and Zoning, to prohibit new oil wells and production facilities, designate existing oil wells and production facilities as nonconforming due to use, and establish consistent regulations for existing oil wells and production facilities during the amortization period. ADOPT (25-2621)