Score One for the "Tarport" Haters

Thanks to the fine folks at Curbed LA, I learned that the City of Torrance (a South Bay suburb) enacted a new ordinance this week that bans the use of store-bought tarp canopies as permanent carports. Bravo!

Until recently, I was a Zoning Enforcement Officer in the unincorporated South Los Angeles community of Florence-Firestone and I issued hundreds of citations for the use of these "tarports." They're unsightly, especially once they've been outside for awhile, and they're not meant to be a substitute for permanent structures...they detract from the appearance of a neighborhood.

If a person needs more shade to protect his or her automobile(s), he or she should obtain the permits necessary to build a permanent structure, not just throw up a canopy as a "quick fix." Better yet, he or she should simply clean out the garage and park the automobile(s) in there.

The fight against blight continues...march on, you brave soldiers of code enforcement!