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Rental Property Rules in Gardena, CA (2026)

4 verified rental property rules for Gardena, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Rent Control

The City of Gardena has no rent control ordinance capping rent amounts; instead, Gardena Municipal Code Chapter 14.04 creates a 15-member Rent Mediation Board that hears tenant claims that a rent increase is excessive or unjustified. The board can only mediate disputes over the increases described in § 14.04.090; it has no authority over any other landlord-tenant matter.

Gardena Rent Mediation, Not Rent Control

Light Restrictions

Gardena Municipal Code §§ 14.04.010, 14.04.080

§ 14.04.010. Purpose. The council finds and declares that there is presently within the city a shortage of residential rental units and a low vacancy rate resulting in a rapid increase in rents, thus causing an economic hardship to tenants residing in the community. The council is desirous of protecting such tenants from unreasonable rent increases while permitting the owners of such properties...

Rental Registration

Every owner or operator of residential rental units in Gardena, other than hotels, motels or motor courts, must hold an annual business license under Gardena Municipal Code Section 5.08.350: $50 covers the first four units and each additional unit adds $10 a year. The license functions as the city's registration mechanism for rental housing, and a separate license is required for each parcel.

Gardena Rental Property License Fee

Some Restrictions

Gardena Municipal Code § 5.08.350

A. Every person owning, operating, leasing or engaging in the business of renting residential or living units (other than hotels, motels or motor courts) shall pay an annual license fee of fifty dollars ($50) for the first four units and ten dollars ($10) for each unit over four in number which is used, offered for rental or otherwise related to or connected with such business in the City. B. A...

Rent Increase Notice

In the City of Gardena, landlords must give tenants written notice before raising rent: at least 30 days for an increase of 10 percent or less, and at least 90 days for a larger increase, under Gardena Municipal Code § 14.04.090. Mobile home park owners must give 90 days' notice regardless of the increase size.

Gardena Rent Increase Notice Periods

Some Restrictions

Gardena Municipal Code § 14.04.090

§ 14.04.090. Notification of rent increases. A. An owner shall provide written notice to tenants of an increase of ten percent or less of the rent charged during the twelve months prior to the effective date of the increase at least thirty days prior to the effective date of the increase. B. If the proposed rent increase is greater than the amount described in subsection A of this section, the ...

Repairs & Habitability

In the City of Gardena, rental and owner-occupied structures alike must meet the International Property Maintenance Code, 2021 Edition, adopted by reference in full at § 15.26.010 as the city's property maintenance code. The city adopted no local amendments to the IPMC chapter itself, so its minimum standards for sanitation, structural condition and utilities are enforced exactly as the model code printed them.

Gardena Property Maintenance Code Adoption

Some Restrictions

Gardena Municipal Code § 15.26.010

Chapter 15.26. PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE § 15.26.010. Adoption of International Property Maintenance Code. Except as may otherwise be provided in this title, the International Property Maintenance Code, 2021 Edition, is hereby adopted by reference and made a part of this chapter as though set forth in full herein. These provisions shall comprise the property maintenance code of the city of Gard...

Looking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Gardena city rules.

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