Rental Housing Board Will Consider Emergency Measures for Tenants Affected by January Windstorm, Eaton Fire

The Pasadena Rental Housing Board will meet Thursday, February 6 to consider emergency measures to help tenants affected by January’s devastating windstorm and Eaton Fire that triggered a local emergency declaration.

The Board will review existing and potential regulations to protect tenants whose rental units were damaged or destroyed by the winds and fire. The disaster that destroyed approximately 9,400 structures in Pasadena and Altadena, damaged an additional 1,073, and caused at least 17 civilian fatalities.

In Pasadena a total of 152 residential units were affected by the Eaton Fire: 140 single-family residences, six multifamily dwelling units, and six accessory dwelling units. The Rent Stabilization Department reported 14 rent-stabilized units were red-tagged and another unit yellow-tagged.

In civil engineering, a red-tagged structure is deemed unsafe for entry or occupancy due to severe damage or immediate hazards. Immediate evacuation and prohibition of entry. A yellow-tagged structure has restricted use, indicating moderate damage or potential hazards that require caution.

City Manager Miguel Marquez declared a Local Emergency on January 8, following windstorm conditions with gusts over 80 mph, which the City Council ratified on January 13. The emergency declaration activated state price-gouging protections, including a 10% cap on rent increases. The City’s existing rent control measures already limited increases to 3%.

Thursday, the Board will consider several emergency response options, including temporary rent reduction allowances for landlords assisting with fire recovery, and expanded relocation services for displaced residents. The City has issued an Emergency Operations Center Purchase Order to support relocation efforts.

In other business, the Board will hear updates on 2024 California landlord-tenant law changes, including new security deposit documentation requirements and rent payment credit reporting rules.

Members will also undergo Brown Act training and hear the Department Director’s report on rental registry compliance, which has reached 73% with 3,523 completed registrations.

The Rent Stabilization Department announced a new monthly training program beginning February 11, with sessions every second Tuesday at 199 S. Los Robles Avenue. Topics will include habitability issues, petitions and hearings, and rent control basics.

The 6:00 p.m. public meeting will be held in the Council Chamber at Pasadena City Hall, Room S249. Residents can participate in-person by submitting speaker cards, join virtually via Zoom (meeting ID: 898 165 902 99), or call in at 1-669-900-6833. Virtual participants can use Zoom’s “raise hand” feature to speak.

Public comments are limited to 3 minutes per speaker during a 30-minute period at the start of the meeting, with additional time available at the meeting’s end if needed. Written comments emailed to rentalboard@cityofpasadena.net by noon will be shared with the Board before the meeting; later submissions will be distributed afterward.

Spanish translation services will be available, with other languages available upon 24-hour advance notice. Those needing accommodations should contact the Rent Stabilization Department at (626) 744-7999 at least 72 hours before the meeting.