Pasadena Rental Laws & Rent Control (2026)
City flag · Pasadena
Pasadena is in Los Angeles County, California. It adds local protections on top of statewide law: Just-cause protection start, Local rent increase cap, Annual rental registration fee, No-fault relocation assistance. Confirm each rule's current scope with the city before acting.
Pasadena local rules (4)
These sit on top of the statewide rules below. Each one links to the official Pasadena source we track it from. Scope can depend on the building’s age, unit count and tenancy — verify against the source before acting.
Just-cause protection start
Effective December 2022From day 366 (about 12 months in)
Broad coverage incl. SFHs/condos (beyond AB 1482). Threshold commonly cited as 12 months; day-1 not confirmed on official pages.
Official Pasadena sourceLocal rent increase cap
Effective October 2025Tracked rate: 2.25% — confirm coverage and tiers below
Measure H: 75% of CPI. Pre-Feb 1995 multifamily (SFH/condos exempt from cap, covered by just cause + registry). Oct 2025–Sep 2026. 2.5% adopted by PRHB 6/18/2026, effective 2026-10-01; 2.25% remains lawful through 9/30/2026. Verified 2026-08-30.
Official Pasadena sourceAnnual rental registration fee
Effective October 2024~$238 per unit
Annual registry with Pasadena Rental Housing Board (~Oct 31 cycle).
Official Pasadena sourceNo-fault relocation assistance
Effective October 2025$8,340–$26,965 + moving allowance $1,620 ($4,890 senior/disabled/minor)
No-fault evictions; 50% within 10 days of notice. Rent-increase-triggered relocation for SFH/condos invalidated Dec 2025 (CAA v. Pasadena).
Official Pasadena source
Statewide laws that apply in Pasadena
- California Security Deposit Law (2026)
California security deposit limits, the 21-day return deadline, allowed deductions, photos, and bad-faith penalties under Civil Code §1950.5.
- California Rent Increase Laws & AB 1482 Rent Cap (2026)
California AB 1482 rent caps, increase frequency, exemptions, and 30- or 90-day notice rules under Civil Code §§1947.12 and 827.
- California Just Cause Eviction Rules (AB 1482, §1946.2)
California AB 1482 just-cause eviction rules, at-fault and no-fault grounds, relocation assistance, and notice requirements.
- California Habitability & Repair Duties (§1941.1, SB 721)
California habitability and repair duties under Civil Code §1941.1, plus SB 721 balcony inspection rules for multifamily buildings.
- California Security Deposit Photo Rules (AB 2801, 2026)
California AB 2801 move-in and move-out photo requirements, deposit deductions, and professional-cleaning limits under §1950.5.
- California Working Stove & Refrigerator Law (AB 628, 2026)
California AB 628 stove and refrigerator habitability requirements for leases entered, amended, or extended from January 1, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
- Does Pasadena have rent control?
- Pasadena has its own local rent ordinance in addition to California's statewide AB 1482 cap. Local rules can be stricter, so confirm your unit's specific limit before raising rent.
- What security-deposit limit applies in Pasadena?
- California's statewide limit applies: one month's rent as of July 1, 2024 (AB 12), with a narrow small-landlord two-month exception. The deposit must be returned within 21 days.
This page is general information about California law, not legal advice, and may not reflect the latest changes or your city’s local ordinances. Verify against the current statute or consult a California attorney before acting. Last reviewed: June 26, 2026.