Landlord Group Proposes New Charter Amendment After Court Ruling on Pasadena Rent Control Law

A landlord advocacy group says it has drafted a new charter amendment to revise Pasadena’s rent control system following a California appeals court ruling that invalidated key provisions of Measure H, a voter-approved housing law adopted in 2022.

In a statement released Sunday, Pasadena Housing Providers said the proposed amendment is intended to bring the city’s rent control framework into compliance with state housing law while retaining rent limits and eviction protections for existing tenants.

“Clearly the ballot measure attempted to overreach and circumvent state law,” said Pasadena Housing Providers member Blake Boyd. “Taken together it is clear that Measure H needs to be amended to correct these serious flaws. Creating a balanced board and an efficient housing Department will restore fairness and accountability. It’s in everybody’s best interests.”

According to the Pasadena Housing Providers, the replacement charter amendment would preserve rent control while restructuring the city’s rent board to include equal representation from tenants and landlords.

The group cited recent polling by FM3, a polling firm that specializes in ballot measures, showing that Pasadena voters favor a balanced board by a four-to-one margin.

According to the statement, the proposed amendment would also merge the Rent Stabilization Department into the city’s Housing Department, revise rent adjustment petition and dispute resolution procedures, cap rent registration fees, and promote the return of single-family rental housing the group said was discouraged under Measure H.

Measure H was approved by Pasadena voters in November 2022 as a charter amendment establishing rent stabilization and creating an elected rent board with authority over rent increases, eviction protections and tenant relocation assistance.

The measure was backed by housing activists seeking to address rising rents and displacement, but opposed by landlord groups, which later challenged it in court.

The legal challenge led to a ruling Friday by the Second District Court of Appeal, Division Seven. The court concluded that certain provisions of Measure H are preempted by state law, including requirements that Pasadena provide relocation assistance tied to rent increases on rental units exempt from local rent control and additional notice requirements that modify eviction procedures established under state statute.

Measure H remains in effect except for the provisions struck down by the court, and any changes to the city charter would require voter approval.