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Anaheim, CA Rental Property Rules: Tenant Anti-Harassment (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified May 2026

Key Facts

Local ord.
None in Anaheim
Statutes
Civ Code 1940.2, 789.3, 1942.5
Lockouts
Prohibited
Forum
Civil court

Summary

Anaheim has no local tenant anti-harassment ordinance, so renters rely on California civil code prohibitions against retaliation, illegal lockouts, utility shutoffs, and forcible entry as the primary defense against landlord harassment.

1940.2. (a) It is unlawful for a landlord to do any of the following for the purpose of influencing a tenant to vacate a dwelling: (1) Engage in conduct that violates subdivision (a) of Section 484 of the Penal Code. (2) Engage in conduct that violates Section 518 of the Penal Code. (3) Use, or threaten to use, force, willful threats, or menacing conduct constituting a course of conduct that interferes with the tenant’s quiet enjoyment of the premises in violation of Section 1927 that would create an apprehension of harm in a reasonable person. Nothing in this paragraph requires a tenant to be actually or constructively evicted in order to obtain relief. (4) Commit a significant and intentional violation of Section 1954. (5) Threaten to disclose information regarding or relating to the immigration or citizenship status of a tenant, occupant, or other person known to the landlord to be associated with a tenant or occupant. This paragraph does not require a tenant to be actually or constructively evicted in order to obtain relief.

Source: California Civil Code 1940.2View official code

Full Breakdown

Unlike Los Angeles or Santa Monica, Anaheim has not adopted a standalone Tenant Anti-Harassment Ordinance. Renters subjected to coercive conduct rely on Civil Code Sections 1940.2 (forcible eviction methods), 789.3 (utility shutoffs), and retaliation protections in Civil Code 1942.5. These statutes prohibit threats, lockouts, removal of doors or windows, repeated unlawful entry, and weaponized rent increases following habitability complaints. Statutory damages and attorney's fees are available. Tenants can also file with the California Civil Rights Department for discrimination-based harassment. Anaheim Code Enforcement focuses on habitability and zoning, not landlord-tenant disputes, so courts and state agencies are the primary venues.

Violations & Fines

Lockouts, utility shutoffs, threats, or retaliatory rent increases violate California Civil Code 1940.2, 789.3, and 1942.5 and expose landlords to statutory damages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Anaheim have a tenant anti-harassment ordinance?
No. Anaheim relies on California state law, primarily Civil Code 1940.2, 789.3, and 1942.5, to address landlord harassment, lockouts, utility shutoffs, and retaliatory rent increases.
What if my landlord changes the locks?
Self-help lockouts are illegal under Civil Code 789.3 and 1940.2. Tenants can sue for statutory damages, attorney's fees, and injunctive relief, and call APD to regain peaceable possession.

Sources & Official References

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