Rent Board Considers Emergency Exception for Landlords Disrupted by Eaton Fire

Eight days after the one-year anniversary of the Eaton Fire, the Pasadena Rental Housing Board meets tonight to consider a new protection for landlords whose compliance with eviction rules was blocked by disaster.

Under current regulations, a property owner who evicts a tenant for owner move-in must occupy the unit within 60 days and remain for at least 36 consecutive months—or face consequences including returning the unit to the displaced tenant at the original rent. When the Eaton Fire tore through portions of the city last January, some landlords who had initiated such evictions found themselves unable to meet those deadlines through no fault of their own.

The proposed amendment to Chapter 4 of the Board’s regulations would add explicit language stating that landlords shall not be considered in violation if a declared state of emergency prevented compliance. Staff presented the change at the Board’s December 4 meeting after members requested provisions addressing fire-related disruptions.

The Board will also consider amendments to rental registry and hearing procedure rules. One change would remove escrow account requirements from rent-withholding provisions after staff determined no viable escrow providers were available. Another would replace the Board’s tentative decision process with staff recommendations on appeals, addressing concerns about potential Brown Act violations when members communicate outside public meetings.

Tonight’s meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the Council Chamber at Pasadena City Hall, 100 North Garfield Avenue, Room S249. Virtual participation is available via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89816590299 or by telephone at 1-669-900-6833, using Meeting ID 898 165 902 99.

Public comment is limited to three minutes per speaker. Written comments submitted by noon to rentalboard@cityofpasadena.net will be forwarded to Board members before the meeting. Spanish translation services are available.

The Board will also receive a draft of its annual report to the City Council, which is scheduled for presentation later this year.

Pasadena voters established the Rental Housing Board in November 2022 when they approved Measure H with 53.8 percent of the vote. The ordinance caps annual rent increases at 75 percent of regional inflation—currently 2.25 percent—and requires landlords to demonstrate one of 11 specific reasons before evicting a tenant.

For the full agenda, click here.