Rental Property Rules in Pasadena, CA (2026)
4 verified rental property rules for Pasadena, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Rent Control
Pasadena voters approved Measure H in 2022 establishing rent stabilization. The max allowable increase is 3.0% (Oct 2024-Sept 2025) and 2.25% (Oct 2025-Sept 2026). No banking of unused increases. Landlords must register units and pay Rental Housing Fee before any increase.
Pasadena Rent Stabilization
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code Section 1947.12 (Tenant Protection Act — Statewide Rent Cap)
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...
Just Cause Eviction
Pasadena's Fair and Equitable Housing Charter Amendment (Article XVIII, Measure H 2022) requires just cause for eviction. 11 enumerated reasons: 7 at-fault and 4 no-fault. Termination notice must be filed with Rent Stabilization Dept within 3 days. Relocation assistance required for no-fault evictions.
Pasadena Just Cause Eviction Protections
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code Section 1946.2 (Tenant Protection Act — Just Cause Eviction)
1946.2. (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. (b) For purposes of this section, "just cause" means either of the following: (1) At-fault just ca...
Rental Registration
Pasadena's Rent Stabilization Department requires all rental property owners to register units and pay the Rental Housing Fee. Multi-family buildings built before 1995 are covered. Single-family homes generally excluded. Contact RSD at (626) 744-7999.
Pasadena Rental Property Registration
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code Section 1947.12 (Tenant Protection Act — Rent Cap and Exemptions)
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...
Rental Inspection Programs
Pasadena operates one of California's oldest mandatory rental-inspection programs — the Quadrennial Inspection Program, established 1987 and codified at Pasadena Municipal Code Chapter 14.16 ('Inspection Ordinance'). Every multifamily rental property with 3 or more units must obtain a quadrennial certificate of inspection, valid 4 years, with a per-unit fee. Single-family and duplex rentals are inspected at sale or change of occupancy under PMC 14.17 (Presale Self-Certification Program).
Pasadena Quadrennial Inspection Program (PMC 14.16)
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Pasadena city rules.
Rental Property Rules in Los Angeles County →