Burbank vs Pasadena
How do rental inspection programs rules compare between Burbank, CA and Pasadena, CA?
Burbank has fewer restrictions than Pasadena.
Burbank, CA
Los Angeles County
Burbank does NOT operate a proactive Rental Housing Inspection Program. The City launched a Housing Enforcement Unit (HEU) in March 2025 to investigate complaints under the Burbank Tenant Protection Ordinance (BMC Title 5, Chapter 4), but the HEU is complaint-driven, not a routine inspection program. There is no general rental-registration requirement, no annual per-unit fee, and no scheduled apartment-inspection cycle. State habitability law (Cal. Civil Code § 1941.1) governs minimum conditions.
View full Burbank rules →Pasadena, CA
Los Angeles County
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).
View full Pasadena rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Burbank | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Proactive RHIP | None — complaint-driven HEU | - |
| HEU Launch | March 2025 (complaint-based) | - |
| TPO Code | BMC Title 5, Chapter 4 | - |
| No-Fault Relocation | 3 months' rent (BMC 5-4) | - |
| HEU Contact | (818) 238-5180 | - |
| Code Section | - | PMC Ch. 14.16 (Quadrennial Cert) |
| Frequency | - | Every 4 years (3+ unit buildings) |
| Per-Unit Fee | - | $62/unit (2023-24); $161 occupancy |
| Single-Family/Duplex | - | PMC 14.17 presale ($29-$174) |
| Max Misdemeanor Fine | - | $1,000 + 6 months jail |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Burbank FAQ
Does Burbank have routine rental property inspections?
No. Burbank operates no mandatory annual or quadrennial inspection of rental units. The Housing Enforcement Unit (launched March 2025) is complaint-driven, investigating reported violations of the Tenant Protection Ordinance (BMC Title 5, Ch. 4) and habitability concerns. There is no per-unit annual inspection fee.
What is Burbank's Housing Enforcement Unit (HEU)?
The HEU, launched March 2025, reviews and investigates housing-related complaints, enforces the Tenant Protection Ordinance, investigates price-gouging, and can pursue administrative or civil enforcement. It is led jointly by the Community Development Department and City Attorney's Office. Contact: (818) 238-5180, Housinginfo@burbankca.gov.
What relocation assistance is owed for a no-fault eviction in Burbank?
Under BMC Title 5, Chapter 4 (TPO), no-fault evictions require relocation assistance equal to three (3) months of the tenant's rent in effect when notice was issued — three times the state-law minimum under Cal. Civil Code § 1946.2(d). Failure to comply voids the termination notice.
Pasadena FAQ
Which Pasadena rental properties are inspected?
Under PMC Chapter 14.16, all multifamily rental properties with 3 or more units on one parcel must obtain a Quadrennial Certificate of Inspection every 4 years. Single-family homes, duplexes, and condos are inspected at sale or change of occupancy under PMC 14.17.
How much does the Pasadena rental inspection cost?
The 2023-2024 fee was $62 per unit for the quadrennial license; the Occupancy Inspection is $161 plus fees. PMC 14.17 single-family Certificate of Completion is $29; Certificate of Inspection (when self-certification fails) is $174. Re-inspection fees apply.
What's the penalty for skipping inspection in Pasadena?
PMC 14.16 makes operating without a valid certificate a misdemeanor — fine up to $1,000 and/or jail up to 6 months. Daily citations escalate $124, $255, $643, $1,000 per violation per day for repeat offenses. Each day is a separate offense.
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