THE WEHO RECORD
Menu

February 17, 2026 · Sham Inspection

I FINALLY GOT THE INSPECTION I REQUESTED.

This was not a surprise visit. The City created the inspection request on February 11; the inspection occurred on February 17. There was time to clean, clear the passage, and make even a temporary show of basic sanitation.

The single most important issue

THE ELECTRICAL FIRE RISK

Inspection-week photograph showing the stacked washer and dryer, blue tape on the electrical area, and surrounding stored items
The stacked washer and dryer sat beside the taped electrical area. The blue tape was plainly visible during the same week as the inspection.
Close-up photograph of the taped electrical area beside the washer and dryer
Close-up of the taped electrical area. To me, this was the single most important issue: an obvious electrical/fire-safety concern left in place while the City later called the matter completed.

Three days before the inspection

FEBRUARY 14, 2026

February 14, 2026 photograph showing the exterior roof edge still unfinished and exposed
The exterior roof edge remained unfinished and exposed.
February 14, 2026 photograph showing collapsing stored materials, multiple light fixtures, bulbs, and debris
Collapsing stored materials, multiple light fixtures, bulbs, and debris.
February 14, 2026 photograph showing rotting material, paint cans, and piled belongings beside the dwelling
Rotting material, paint cans, and piled belongings remained beside the dwelling.
February 14, 2026 photograph showing a hanging light fixture and stacked materials in the narrow exterior area
A hanging light fixture and stacked materials filled the narrow exterior area.
February 14, 2026 photograph showing a propane cylinder and large bucket in the narrow passage
A propane cylinder and large bucket remained in the narrow passage.
February 14, 2026 photograph showing animal waste on the tiled passage
Animal waste was already present three days before the inspection.

Inspection day

FEBRUARY 17, 2026

February 17, 2026 photograph showing a fallen ladder, sink, boxes, and stored material crowding a narrow exterior passage
A fallen ladder, a sink, boxes, and stored material crowd the narrow passage.
February 17, 2026 photograph showing animal waste on tiled passage beside a propane cylinder and a large labeled bucket or container
Animal waste remained beside a propane cylinder and a large labeled bucket or container.
February 17, 2026 photograph showing visibly soiled patio tiles and outdoor furniture
The patio and outdoor furniture remained visibly soiled.

The part I cannot get past

HOW ARE YOU NOT EMBARRASSED?

Even if you already knew the inspection was going to go your way, what has to be going through your head not to even pretend to clean up the dog feces before the inspector arrives? This inspection was planned. It was not a surprise.

At some point, the question is no longer whether West Hollywood missed a technical code violation. It is whether the people responsible for enforcement were so unqualified that they could not recognize basic hazards in plain sight: animal feces, accumulated debris, obstructed egress, and electrical fire risk.

What happened next

WE LEFT THE INSPECTION CONFUSED.

BUT THE CITY PROSECUTOR CALLED THAT AFTERNOON. At 3:38 PM, the City Prosecutor called. We spoke for 30 minutes. He had reviewed my evidence, and I told him how shocked I was by the inspection, particularly Barela’s apparent misunderstanding of the purpose of an egress gate. He said he would speak with him and confirmed a February 20 Zoom meeting with a City investigator.

When “ISSUE COMPLETED, Property Maintenance” arrived the next day, I was not worried. I understood the prosecutor review to still be active, and the February 20 meeting remained scheduled.

Habitability request February 17 phone confirmation February 18 closure