West Hollywood officially recognizes polyamorous domestic partnerships

On November 5, 2026, the city council of West Hollywood, California, approved a new municipal regulation allowing groups of three or four adults in polyamorous relationships to officially register their domestic partnerships with the city. The initiative, proposed by Mayor John Heilman, aims to provide institutional protection for individuals living in committed relationships outside the traditional two-person model.

This registration grants participants specific benefits, primarily related to hospital visitation rights and enhanced protections in residential leasing and housing. While the measure is a significant step toward addressing the challenges faced by polyamorous adults in sectors like healthcare and housing, officials clarified that it does not provide the same broad legal rights and benefits afforded to married couples or those in traditional civil unions.

Supporters of the move argue that the ordinance is a necessary progression to acknowledge modern forms of companionship. Currently, the city has formalized the registration process to ensure that these non-traditional households can access critical support services without meeting the strict criteria of conventional marital or civil status.