Pasadena · Renting & eviction
Renting in Pasadena: the rules that apply
Pasadena's Rental Board sets a yearly rent increase for Covered Rental Units, and the city adds relocation pay, Ellis Act notice rules and buyout rules. Vacation rentals are not allowed; deposits, harassment, repairs and entry follow state law.
Key points
- Rent increases: For existing tenancies in Covered Rental Units, Pasadena limits the yearly increase to 75% of the CPI increase, at most 1 per 12 months.
- Relocation pay: Pasadena: 2½ months' HUD fair market rent for good-standing tenants at or below 140% of median income on listed moves; half for move-ins.
- Ellis Act notice: Pasadena: 120 days' Ellis Act notice; tenants 62+ or disabled, there 1+ year, can extend to 1 year if they write within 60 days.
- Buyouts: In Covered Rental Units, Pasadena buyouts need a Rental Board form notice first and filing within 60 days; tenants get 45 days to cancel.
- Short-term rentals: Pasadena allows permitted short-term rentals of a host's primary residence, plus 1 more unit on owner-occupied properties; unhosted stays at most 90 days yearly.
Each rule below is marked Pasadena code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Rent increases
Pasadena code For existing tenancies in Covered Rental Units, Pasadena limits the yearly increase to 75% of the CPI increase, at most 1 per 12 months.
All 11 Pasadena rules on rent increases, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Eviction and just cause
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CA state law Underneath, California law still applies. Just cause required: After 12 months of lawful occupancy, the owner may terminate only for a just cause stated in the notice (Civ. Code § 1946.2(a)). Just-cause eviction in California — the full state rule →
Relocation payments
Pasadena code Pasadena: 2½ months' HUD fair market rent for good-standing tenants at or below 140% of median income on listed moves; half for move-ins.
All 14 Pasadena rules on relocation payments, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Notices
Pasadena code Pasadena: 120 days' Ellis Act notice; tenants 62+ or disabled, there 1+ year, can extend to 1 year if they write within 60 days.
All 9 Pasadena rules on notices, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Security deposits
CA state law Pasadena has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Security deposit cap: One month's rent, on top of the first month's rent (Civ. Code § 1950.5(c)(1), (c)(6)). Deposit return deadline: 21 calendar days after the tenant moves out, with an itemized statement of any deductions (Civ. Code § 1950.5(h)(1)). California security deposit law — the full state rule →
Retaliation
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Also in Pasadena's code: Housing Mediation Contractor (§ 2.380.070). This page does not summarize it yet.
CA state law Underneath, California law still applies. Retaliation protection period: For 180 days after a tenant complains about habitability (to the landlord or an agency), the landlord may not evict, raise rent or cut services in retaliation (Civ. Code § 1942.5(a), (b)). Retaliatory eviction in California — the full state rule →
Harassment and lockouts
CA state law Pasadena has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Lockouts and self-help eviction banned: A landlord may not change locks, remove doors or windows, or remove the tenant's belongings to force a tenant out (Civ. Code § 789.3(b)). Utility shutoffs banned: A landlord may not cut off water, heat, electricity, gas or other utilities to force a tenant out (Civ. Code § 789.3(a)). Tenant harassment and lockouts in California — the full state rule →
Repairs and habitability
CA state law Pasadena has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Duty to keep the unit habitable: The landlord must deliver a unit fit to live in and repair conditions that make it untenantable (Civ. Code § 1941). Repair and deduct: A tenant may make a repair the landlord neglects and deduct the cost from rent, up to one month's rent, no more than twice in any 12 months (Civ. Code § 1942(a)). Habitability and repair-and-deduct — the full state rule →
Landlord entry
CA state law Pasadena has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Landlord entry notice: Reasonable written notice, presumed to be 24 hours, and entry only during normal business hours (Civ. Code § 1954(d)(1), (e)). Landlord entry notice in California — the full state rule →
Buyout agreements
Pasadena code In Covered Rental Units, Pasadena buyouts need a Rental Board form notice first and filing within 60 days; tenants get 45 days to cancel.
All 7 Pasadena rules on buyout agreements, with the code text →
Short-term rentals
Pasadena code Pasadena allows permitted short-term rentals of a host's primary residence, plus 1 more unit on owner-occupied properties; unhosted stays at most 90 days yearly.
All 6 Pasadena rules on short-term rentals, with the code text →
Hotel and short-term rental tax
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Other Pasadena rules on this
Pasadena's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- The Pasadena Fair and Equitable Housing Charter Amendment (Charter Art. XVIII, § 1810)
- Pasadena Rent Stabilization: 2026–2027 Annual General Adjustment (city guidance)
- The Pasadena Fair and Equitable Housing Charter Amendment (Charter Art. XVIII)
- Housing Mediation Contractor (§ 2.380.120) — mediation of rent increases only
- Housing Mediation Contractor (§ 2.380.070)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Does a landlord in Pasadena need a reason to evict?
Pasadena's code: Using the unit, or letting it be used, for illegal drug dealing, including selling or holding drugs for sale there. (Under the city's drug-related eviction rules; the landlord may evict, and must when the rules require it.) (§ 9.95.020); Committing or allowing a drug-related nuisance in the unit, its attached areas, or the complex's common areas. (Under the city's drug-related eviction rules; the landlord may evict, and must when the rules require it.) (§ 9.95.020). State law: After 12 months of lawful occupancy, the owner may terminate only for a just cause stated in the notice (Civ. Code § 1946.2(a)).
How much can a Pasadena landlord charge for a security deposit?
Pasadena has no local rule on this that we found (checked October 2026); state law applies: One month's rent, on top of the first month's rent (Civ. Code § 1950.5(c)(1), (c)(6)).
What is the hotel tax on short-term rentals in Pasadena?
Pasadena's code: 7% of the rent. (§ 4.44.030); The operator collects the tax from each guest at the same time as the rent. (§ 4.44.050).
General information, not legal advice.
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