Los Angeles and Southern California Local Rent Control Ordinances

Renters and owners in Los Angeles often hear about both the RSO and AB 1482 and assume they are the same thing. They are not. Knowing which law governs your unit determines your rent cap, your eviction protections, and your relocation rights.

City of Los Angeles: RSO and Just Cause Ordinance

The City of LA Rent Stabilization Ordinance is stricter and covers older buildings, generally those first rented on or before October 1, 1978. The Just Cause Ordinance extends eviction protections to nearly all residential units not covered by the RSO. Together they provide some of the strongest tenant protections in California.

Long Beach Rent Ordinance

Long Beach maintains the Long Beach Tenant Protections Ordinance, which includes just cause eviction requirements for covered units. Landlords and tenants should verify whether their specific property falls under the ordinance given Long Beach's own coverage rules.

Santa Monica

Santa Monica has one of the oldest and strictest rent control laws in California, administered by the Rent Control Board. It covers most multi-family units and includes strict rent ceilings, vacancy decontrol rules, and a Costa-Hawkins exception carve-out history that has been litigated extensively.

West Hollywood

West Hollywood's Rent Stabilization Ordinance applies to most multi-family residential units and includes annual allowable rent increases, just cause eviction requirements, and relocation assistance provisions.

Inglewood, Maywood, Culver City, and Cudahy

Several LA County cities including Inglewood, Maywood, Culver City, and Cudahy have their own local rent ordinances. The scope of coverage, allowable rent increases, and just cause rules vary by city. In areas not covered by a local ordinance, California AB 1482 remains the backstop for eligible units.

Unincorporated Los Angeles County

Unincorporated LA County has its own Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protections Ordinance (RSTPO) administered by the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs. It generally covers residential units in two-or-more-unit buildings with a certificate of occupancy on or before February 1, 1995.