ARTICLE 5. Los Angeles International Airport Relocation and Development [21690.20. - 21690.29.]

Cal. Public Utilities Code - PUC 5.
in effect

Cal. Public Utilities Code - PUC § 21690.20. Section 21690.20.

The Legislature hereby finds that Los Angeles International Airport is one of the important air terminals of the world, making a significant contribution daily to the economy of California. Since 1959, jet air traffic at the airport has increased from 80 flights daily to nearly 1,000 daily. This increasing air traffic and necessary expansion of airport facilities has had an adverse affect on the residents of the surrounding areas. Expansion and development has and is expected to require the acquisition of many homes in the vicinity of the airport and has rendered other homes in areas subjected to aircraft noise nearly uninhabitable. Property owners in the vicinity of the airport are either unable to sell their homes or able to sell only at depressed market prices. Under present laws, the Department of Airports of the City of Los Angeles is required only to pay homeowners “fair market value” for their property. With increasing property costs and current high interest rates, it is impossible for a homeowner to purchase a comparable dwelling in a comparable residential area for amounts now being paid as “fair market value.” The City Council of the City of Los Angeles has initiated this legislation to enable the city to (1) assist displaced homeowners to relocate in comparable residential areas and housing, (2) provide, where available, replacement housing acceptable to affected homeowners, and (3) purchase affected homes to compensate homeowners for the depressed values of their property. There is precedent for the provision of replacement housing, where available, in Chapter 953 of the Statutes of 1968, by which the Department of Public Works is authorized to provide relocation assistance and replacement housing to certain individuals and families displaced because of construction of certain state highway projects. Further, there is precedent for relocation payments to compensate certain homeowners in Public Law 90-495 and in Chapter 3 of the Statutes of 1968, First Extraordinary Session.

Cal. Public Utilities Code - PUC § 21690.21. Section 21690.21.

Unless the context otherwise requires, the following definitions shall govern the construction of this article: (a) “Airport” means Los Angeles International Airport. (b) “Department” means the Department of Airports, City of Los Angeles. (c) “Mayor” means the Mayor of the City of Los Angeles. (d) “Board” means the Los Angeles International Airport Property Acquisition Board.

Cal. Public Utilities Code - PUC § 21690.22. Section 21690.22.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the department is authorized to: (a) Assist homeowners displaced by the expansion of the airport to relocate in comparable residential areas and housing. (b) Provide, where available, replacement housing acceptable to affected homeowners. (c) Purchase affected property to compensate homeowners for the depressed values of their property as a result of the proximity of the airport to enable such homeowners to purchase comparable housing under more normal market conditions.

Cal. Public Utilities Code - PUC § 21690.23. Section 21690.23.

The department is authorized to expend any available funds, including state and federal funds, for the purpose of purchasing homes from homeowners displaced by the expansion of the airport and relocating or providing suitable replacement housing for such persons, notwithstanding any other provision of law.

Cal. Public Utilities Code - PUC § 21690.24. Section 21690.24.

Upon establishment of a program for additional payments to homeowners by the department pursuant to this article, the affected property owners may petition as provided in Section 21690.26 for the payment of additional compensation for the depressed value of the affected property resulting from the presence and operation of the airport, provided that such owner has not previously recovered any sums in the nature of an inverse condemnation award by reason of the presence and operation of the airport.

Cal. Public Utilities Code - PUC § 21690.25. Section 21690.25.

Upon establishment by the department of a program for such additional compensation, the mayor shall appoint, subject to the approval of the city council, five persons who shall constitute the board.

Cal. Public Utilities Code - PUC § 21690.26. Section 21690.26.

The members of the board shall serve at the pleasure of the mayor, and any action taken by a majority thereof shall constitute the action of the board. The board shall hear petitions from homeowners dislocated by reason of airport expansion and operations for amounts to be paid in excess of market value of affected property. The board shall establish procedures for the conduct of its business.

Cal. Public Utilities Code - PUC § 21690.28. Section 21690.28.

The provisions of this article are available only to persons who own residential property which has been or is being condemned or sold for airport purposes. Petitions for additional compensation may be filed with the board at the same time that condemnation proceedings or acquisition negotiations are initiated; and the board shall pay any sum awarded pursuant to Section 21690.26 within 60 days after condemnation or other acquisition proceedings are completed.

Cal. Public Utilities Code - PUC § 21690.29. Section 21690.29.

If any provision of this article or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the article which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this act are severable.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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