Rental Property Rules in Downey, CA (2026)
4 verified rental property rules for Downey, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Rent Control
Downey has no local rent control ordinance. Statewide AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act) applies: annual rent increases capped at 5% + CPI or 10%, whichever is lower. Exemptions include units built within 15 years.
Downey Rent Control & Stabilization
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code Section 1947.12 (Statewide Rent Cap, AB 1482)
(a) (1) Subject to subdivision (b), an owner of residential real property shall not, over the course of any 12-month period, increase the gross rental rate for a dwelling or a unit more than 5 percent plus the percentage change in the cost of living, or 10 percent, whichever is lower, of the lowest gross rental rate charged for that dwelling or unit at any time during the 12 months prior to the...
Just Cause Eviction
AB 1482 just cause eviction protections apply in Downey after 12 months of tenancy. No-fault evictions require relocation assistance equal to one month's rent. Lease expiration alone is not just cause.
Downey Just Cause Eviction Protections
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code Section 1946.2 (Tenant Protection Act, AB 1482)
(a) Notwithstanding any other law, after a tenant has continuously and lawfully occupied a residential real property for 12 months, the owner of the residential real property shall not terminate a tenancy without just cause, which shall be stated in the written notice to terminate tenancy. If any additional adult tenants are added to the lease before an existing tenant has continuously and lawf...
Rental Registration
Downey does not have a dedicated rental registration program. Landlords must obtain a business registration through the Finance Department. Standard California landlord-tenant laws apply.
Downey Rental Property Registration
Some RestrictionsCal. Civil Code Sec. 1947.12 (Tenant Protection Act - Annual Rent Increase Limits)
1947.12. (a) (1) Subject to subdivision (b), an owner of residential real property shall not, over the course of any 12-month period, increase the gross rental rate for a dwelling or a unit more than 5 percent plus the percentage change in the cost of living, or 10 percent, whichever is lower, of the lowest gross rental rate charged for that dwelling or unit at any time during the 12 months pri...
Repairs & Habitability
Downey has adopted the 1997 Uniform Housing Code in its entirety, minus its own Chapter 1, as the local habitability standard under Municipal Code § 8401. Rental units with conditions listed in the UHC's Chapter 10, the code's substandard-building criteria, are treated as a public nuisance under § 5902(B) and are subject to the City's abatement process.
Downey Housing Code Habitability Standards
Some RestrictionsDowney, CA, Municipal Code § 8401 (Uniform Housing Code Adopted); § 5902(B)
§ 8401. UNIFORM HOUSING CODE ADOPTED. The Uniform Housing Code, 1997 Edition, of the International Conference of Building Officials hereby is adopted in its entirety, except for Chapter 1. ... § 8402. CHAPTER 1 DELETED. Chapter 1 of the Uniform Housing Code hereby is deleted, in its entirety. All administrative, permitting and related requirements of said Chapter 1 of the Uniform Housing Code s...
Looking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Downey city rules.
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