Condo conversions in Palmdale: the local rules

Each rule below links to the section of the Palmdale Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (extracted October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Palmdale's code says

Palmdale code What Palmdale's code adds
Limits on conversions	No more than 5% of the city's convertible rental units may be converted in the current calendar year. Applies: Except as the conversion chapter otherwise provides. § 16.90.080 · code text The proposed project will not convert, during the current calendar year, more than five percent of the potentially convertible rental units in Palmdale for the current calendar year except as otherwise provided in this Chapter;
Relocation help	Equal to the reasonable cost of moving. Applies: Applies to tenants living in a unit any time before tentative map approval and not in default. § 16.90.050 · code text The subdivider shall provide relocation assistance equal to the reasonable cost of relocation to any tenant household living in any unit at any time prior to the tentative map approval, provided such tenant is not otherwise in default of the rental agreement or lease or that notice of intent to move has been given prior to receipt of notification from the developer of his intent to convert. Moving to a nearby comparable unit, first and last month's rent and deposit, and a lump sum for rent difference. Applies: This is how the reasonable cost of moving is figured. § 16.90.050 · code text The reasonable cost of relocation shall be determined by the Planning Commission and shall be based on the cost of physically moving the tenant's property and belongings to a comparable apartment within the immediate vicinity, payment for first and last month's rent and any security deposit at the new location, and a lump sum payment based on consideration of any differential between rental rates from the present location to the comparable apartment unit. Relocation help may be credited toward the unit's price. Applies: Applies when the tenant chooses to buy the unit. § 16.90.050 · code text If the tenant elects to purchase the unit, such relocation assistance may be applied as a credit to the cost of the unit. Moving costs are not required. Applies: Applies to tenants who move in after tentative map approval and signed the required notice before the lease. § 16.90.050 · code text A tenant moving in after tentative map approval will not be required to be provided with moving expenses; provided, that the potential tenant, prior to signing an agreement or lease, has signed the notice as described in PMC § 16.90.060 (Notice to new tenants).
Notice to tenants	At least 60 days before applying for the tentative map and Conditional Use Permit. Applies: Applies to the notice of intent to convert. § 16.90.050 · code text a notice of intent to convert shall be delivered by the subdivider to each tenant at least 60 days prior to submitting an application for the tentative map and Conditional Use Permit. 10 days' written notice. Applies: Notice that an application for a public report will be or has been filed with the Department of Real Estate. § 16.90.050 · code text each tenant shall receive 10 days' written notice that an application for a public report will be or has been submitted to the Department of Real Estate, and that such report will be available on request from the Planning Division. Within 10 days of final map approval. Applies: Notice of final map approval. § 16.90.050 · code text each tenant shall receive written notification within 10 days of approval of a final map for the proposed conversion. 180 days' written notice. Applies: Applies to tenants not in default; the notice gives the expected move-out date. § 16.90.050 · code text Each tenant not in default under the obligations of the rental agreement or lease under which he occupies his unit, shall be given 180 days' written notice of the anticipated date required to vacate the unit and when the 180-day period will begin.
Tenants' right to buy	At least 90 days from the date the subdivision public report is issued. Applies: Each current tenant's exclusive right to buy their unit on the same or better terms than the public. § 16.90.050 · code text The right shall run for a period of not less than 90 days from the date of issuance of the subdivision public report unless the tenant gives prior written notice of his or her intention not to exercise the right.

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What happens to tenants when a Palmdale building converts to condos?

Palmdale's code: No more than 5% of the city's convertible rental units may be converted in the current calendar year. (Except as the conversion chapter otherwise provides.) (§ 16.90.080); Equal to the reasonable cost of moving. (Applies to tenants living in a unit any time before tentative map approval and not in default.) (§ 16.90.050).

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