Create the additional 0.5% sales tax.
Initiative Ordinance FD · City of Los Angeles · Nov 3, 2026
Half-cent sales tax for the Fire Department
Adds a 0.5% city sales tax dedicated to Fire Department staffing, equipment, facilities and preparedness.
At a glance
New tax- Does it raise taxes?
- Yes. A new 0.5% city sales tax for the Fire Department, about $345 million a year.
- Estimated cost or revenue
- About $345 million annually in the official ballot summary.
- Who pays
- Purchasers of taxable goods
- Where the money goes
- Not yet verified
- How long
- Not yet verified
From the City of Los Angeles City Clerk and the state’s fiscal analysis. Estimates are the state’s, not ours.
Your choice
Saved privately on this device.What your vote does
Do not create this sales tax.
How the money works
TypeNew tax
Rate or threshold0.5% additional city tax
Cost, who pays and where the money goes are in “At a glance” above.
- Oversight
- Annual audits and a Citizens’ Oversight Committee; minimum General Fund fire spending condition.
What your guides say
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Why they disagree
The Fire Department and firefighters’ union say LAFD is about half the size it should be and response times are nearly double the national standard; the tax would fund about 1,000 more firefighters. Mayor Bass also supports it.
Supporters (summary)The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association says LA’s sales tax is already too high and the city should fund firefighting from its budget. The Police Protective League objects that it has no end date and can’t be spent on other services.
Opponents (summary)Official overview and selected publisher positions; coverage remains partial.
Who’s funding it
We haven’t loaded campaign-finance filings for Initiative Ordinance FD yet. You can look them up directly:
Sources
- City of Los Angeles City Clerk
2026 General Municipal Election Voter Information Pamphlet 101 · Official measure summaries and financial impacts
Checked Oct 31, 2026