Polyamorous relationships in West Hollywood now offered extra protections
Members of multi-partner domestic relationships in West Hollywood have been granted extra protections (Getty Images, stock)
People in “multi-partner domestic relationships” in West Hollywood have just been granted extra protections.
The move, which has been in the works for months, was officially adopted at a 2 November, 2026 City Council meeting, after a 5-0 vote. It will go into effect 30 days after it was adopted.
West Hollywood, which is in itself an independent city and can enact local legislation, will now recognise and protects the rights of people in polyamorous relationships with an official register.
A “multi-partner domestic relationship” is officially defined as having all individuals involved: being 18 or older; not being related by blood that would bar marriage in California; sharing “common necessities of life”; declaring the relationship with each other’s consent; being responsible for the others’ welfare; agreeing to notify the City Council if the status of the relationship changes; not declaring they are in another multi-partner domestic relationship; and filing a statement of the multi-partner domestic relationship.
What rights and protections are granted?
While the same legal protections that married couples get are not granted, the ordinance has been introduced as “diverse relationship structures, including relationship structures involving more than two adults engaged in a loving, committed, and consensual relationship, are becoming increasingly common”.
Now, healthcare facilities within WeHo’s jurisdiction, such as hospitals, will allow a partner or partners of a patient within the multi-partner domestic relationship to visit, unless no visitors are allowed.
Similarly, jails within the City will allow visitations for inmates part of a multi-partner relationship, as long as visitors are allowed and the authority in charge of the jail decides an individual is not a threat to the facility’s security.
The wording of protections relating to rental housing has also been updated to include multi-partner domestic relationships.
A March 2026 meeting previously adopted an ordinance which barred discrimination based on family or relationship structure.
Proposed amendments
A number of public comments, included within the City Council meeting’s agenda and minutes, suggested some of the wording of the ordinance should be changed.
Specifically, it was recommended that references to “three or more” members in a multi-partner domestic relationship be changed to “two or more”.
There have also been requests to remove the section which states people wishing to register may not be part of a different multi-partner relationship at the same time.
Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.
