A pack of coyotes has taken up residence inside an abandoned residential construction project at Romaine Street and North Spaulding Avenue in West Hollywood, according to local reports from KABC. The development site, halted since 2024 with expired permits, has been dubbed the “coyote condo” by neighborhood residents dealing with nightly howling and animal encounters.
City Intervention and Property Owner Demands
The city of West Hollywood has stepped into the dispute surrounding the vacant property, whose construction permits lapsed after work stopped in 2024. Public records list Clement Tung as the property owner. According to municipal officials, the city has contacted Tung’s representative with demands to resolve the wildlife hazard. Tung’s representative has been ordered to hire a wildlife control operator to assess the site and humanely remove the occupying coyotes. Eyewitness News reached out to Tung for comment but has not yet received a response regarding either the wildlife removal or the future of the unfinished 22-unit condominium building.
Resident Concerns Over Howling and Close Encounters
Videos shared by local residents show coyotes lounging on balconies and roaming freely across the abandoned construction site. West Hollywood resident Ryan Liske told KABC that the animals hoot and howl constantly. Liske described a personal encounter where he came face-to-face with one of the animals before watching a group of three coyotes trying to circle him down the street. While residents like Beth point out that the animals can be skittish, the constant noise and encounters have heightened safety anxieties throughout the neighborhood.
Wildlife Expert Advice on Humane Removal
Coyotes generally do not pose a direct threat to human safety, according to Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates. Cummins explained that a coyote’s primary prey consists of small animals like California ground squirrels, gophers, chipmunks, and bunnies rather than people. To clear the abandoned property safely, Cummins outlined a specific two-step wildlife management strategy involving exclusion and deterrence. Property handlers must first seal off the fencing so the animals cannot go under, over, or through it, leaving only a single designated exit. Workers then enter the site to haze and scare the animals toward that final open route before sealing it completely, keeping local pets indoors during the process.
Pro Tip: Wildlife advocates recommend securing all perimeter fencing and keeping small pets indoors if you live near stalled construction sites, which often attract urban wildlife looking for shelter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns the abandoned West Hollywood construction site?
Public records list Clement Tung as the owner of the stalled 22-unit condominium project at Romaine Street and North Spaulding Avenue.
Why did the coyotes move into the building?
Construction on the residential site was halted in 2024, leaving the unfinished structure vacant with expired permits and providing a sheltered habitat for urban wildlife.
What is the city requiring the owner to do?
According to city officials, Tung’s representative must hire a wildlife control operator to assess the site and humanely remove the coyotes.
Are the coyotes dangerous to humans?
According to Mary Cummins with Animal Advocates, coyotes generally do not attack humans and primarily hunt small prey like squirrels and bunnies, though residents should keep small pets safe.
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