Los Angeles lobbying reports.
MLO & Form 34.

What is the Los Angeles Municipal Lobbying Ordinance?

The Los Angeles Municipal Lobbying Ordinance (MLO) sets rules for compensated attempts to influence City decisions. Registration, disclosure, and other obligations depend on the filer’s activities and status. The rules are in Los Angeles Municipal Code, Article 8.

For a land-use team, start by connecting each client matter to the City decision involved. Keep the underlying emails, calendar entries, and financial records together so reviewers can understand the work behind the report.

Who files LA quarterly lobbying reports?

The MLO requires quarterly disclosures from lobbyists, lobbying firms, lobbyist employers, and major filers. The applicable report depends on the filer type. Lobbyists and firms report for quarters in which they retain that status. See LAMC § 48.08(A).

This guide focuses on the Lobbying Firm Quarterly Report, Form 34. Confirm your filer type and required forms with the Commission’s “What Do I File?” guidance for lobbying firms. A firm report does not automatically cover every individual lobbyist’s filing obligations.

LA lobbying report deadlines

Reports are generally due at the end of the month after each quarter. The Commission extends a deadline that falls on a weekend or holiday to the next business day. Check the Commission’s filing guidance for your reporting period.

For Q3 2026, plan to file by Monday, November 2, 2026, applying the Commission’s weekend rule. Set an earlier internal review date so unresolved details have time to surface.

What to gather for LA Form 34

A lobbying firm’s quarterly disclosures include firm and lobbyist details, clients, matters lobbied, client receipts, lobbying expenses, specified political activity, City contracts, and preparer information. Read the full requirements in LAMC § 48.08(C) and the Commission’s firm reporting guidance.

Build your working folder around three kinds of evidence:

• Activity: emails, meeting notes, calendar entries, client matters, and the City departments involved.
• Money: payment records, invoices, reimbursements, and expense records for the quarter.
• Review: supporting references and a list of missing details, with a person responsible for resolving each one.

An activity log helps support the review. It is not a substitute for the required disclosures or a reconciliation to your financial records.

A quarterly report preparation checklist

1. Choose the reporting period.

   Use the same date range for your activity search and financial reconciliation. For Q3, that is July 1 through September 30.

2. Organize work by client and matter.

   Group related communications and meetings. Add enough context for someone else on your team to identify the City matter and the department involved.

3. Reconcile payments and expenses.

   Ask the person responsible for your books to confirm totals. Email and calendar activity alone cannot establish the amounts to disclose.

4. Resolve open questions.

   Flag unclear activity, missing records, and items that need professional judgment. Assign each question and review the answer before approval.

5. Review, approve, then file.

   Have the responsible reviewer check the complete draft. File through the applicable City system and save the submission confirmation with your records.

File with the LA City Ethics Commission through LEFS

LA lobbying firms submit quarterly reports through the Lobbying Electronic Filing System (LEFS). Confirm access and any registration requirements using the Commission’s filing instructions before your deadline.

Common LA MLO reporting questions