Pasadena rent control comes from Measure H, a 2022 ballot measure that added rent stabilization to the city charter. Under pasadena rent control, most covered rents can go up 2.25% for October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The limit is 2.5% for October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
- September 29, 2026 — City Rent Control / Tenant Ordinance: From October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026, a Pasadena landlord who evicts a tenant for no fault must pay a base relocation payment of $6,720 (studio, under 3 years) up to $22,075 (4+ bedrooms, 10+ years), plus a $1,620 moving allowance, or $4,890 if the household has a senior, a disabled member, a terminally ill member, or minor children. (source) (effective 2025-10-01)
Is Your Unit Covered by Pasadena Rent Control?
Start with the building. In most cases, pasadena rent control covers older multifamily buildings, such as apartments, duplexes, and triplexes. The city’s list of exemptions leaves out multifamily units built after 1995. It also leaves out single-family homes and condos that can be sold separately from other units.
There are a few more exemptions. These include units under the city’s Inclusionary Housing or Density Bonus rules and nonprofit-owned low-income housing tax credit units. They also include rooms where you share a kitchen or bathroom with an owner who lives there. An owner’s own home rented out for no more than 12 months in any 36-month period is exempt too. Because pasadena rent control depends on your exact address, ask the city’s housing counselors to confirm your unit.
| Rule | What it says | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Newer buildings | Multifamily units built after 1995 are exempt | Pasadena Charter Article XVIII (Measure H) |
| Houses and condos | Exempt if they can be sold separately | Pasadena Charter Article XVIII |
| Allowed increase | 2.25% for Oct 1, 2025 to Sept 30, 2026; 2.5% for Oct 1, 2026 to Sept 30, 2027 | Pasadena Rental Housing Board |
| How often | Once in any 12-month period | Pasadena Charter Article XVIII |
| Written notice | At least 30 days before the increase | Charter Section 1808(c)-(e) and state law |
| Banking | Not allowed; skipped increases are lost | Charter Section 1808(a)(4) |
How Much Rent Can Go Up Under Pasadena Rent Control
Each year, the Pasadena Rental Housing Board sets the Annual General Adjustment, or AGA. Under pasadena rent control, it is 75% of the yearly rise in the Los Angeles-area Consumer Price Index. For October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027, the board set it at 2.5%. For example, on $2,000 a month, that is a $50 raise, to $2,050. That assumes every other rule is followed. You can read the city’s 2026-2027 announcement.
Your landlord cannot “bank” a raise. If they skip a year or raise less than allowed, they cannot add the unused amount later. Fees count too. Charges for parking, utilities, pets, and furniture are part of rent under pasadena rent control. As a result, those fees are held to the same cap.
A raise also needs proper paperwork. Your landlord must give written notice at least 30 days ahead. The notice must say the charter exists and that you can challenge any raise above the AGA. However, a landlord cannot raise rent at all if the unit is not registered or the yearly Rental Housing Fee is unpaid. Raises are also barred if the landlord breaks health or safety rules. The details are on the city’s rent levels and rent increases page.
Watch for rollbacks. For tenancies that started on or before May 17, 2021, base rent is the rent in effect on that date. Rent had to be rolled back to that level before any new raise. California’s statewide rent cap is background here. For covered units, the stricter local rules are what you should check first.
Eviction Protections in This City
Measure H does more than cap rent. Pasadena rent control also includes eviction protections in the same charter article. Typically, that means a landlord needs a legal reason to end your tenancy. Some no-fault evictions may also require relocation help. However, our official sources do not list the exact reasons or payment amounts. Confirm them with the Rent Stabilization Department before you act.
A rent increase that breaks pasadena rent control rules is not a legal reason to evict. For example, if you refuse to pay an illegal raise, ask the city for help right away. If you get court papers, do not wait. Call a local legal-aid office or a tenant attorney the same day.
What to Do If Your Landlord Breaks the Rule
First, gather your papers. Bring your lease, every rent increase notice, and rent receipts or bank records. Add any texts or letters from your landlord. Write down when you moved in and what you paid on May 17, 2021, if you lived there then.
Next, contact the Pasadena Rent Stabilization Department at (626) 744-7999. Its housing counselors can tell you whether pasadena rent control covers your unit. They can also check how the cap applies to your rent. Tenants have a right to petition against any raise above the AGA, unless the raise came from an approved landlord petition. Ask the counselor which form to use and how to file it.
📨 Get Free Tenant Rights Guides Alerts
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
In most cases, a counselor call is the fastest first step. However, if you have an eviction notice or court papers, call legal aid too. Pasadena rent control protections work best when you act early and keep copies of everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my landlord raise my rent twice in one year?
No. Under pasadena rent control, a covered unit can get only one increase in any 12-month period. That limit covers both yearly AGA raises and raises from approved landlord petitions.
What is the allowed increase right now?
Under pasadena rent control, the cap is 2.25% through September 30, 2026. From October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027, it is 2.5%. Your landlord still must give at least 30 days’ written notice.
Can my landlord charge a new tenant any rent?
Yes. For new tenancies, a landlord may set the starting rent at any amount. After that, raises must follow the yearly cap.
Protect your stuff while you sort this out
A landlord’s insurance does not cover your belongings — renters insurance does, often for a few dollars a month. Compare options before your next move.
Find Your State’s Exact Rules
Notice periods, deposit caps, and the eviction timeline all change from state to state. Pick your state to see the exact days, dollar limits, and steps that apply where you live.
See Tenant Rights in All 50 States →
Sources & How to Verify
The rules on this page are drawn from official government and legal-aid sources. Tenant law changes, so always confirm the exact rule with your state’s statute or a local legal-aid office.
- HUD: hud.gov — federal renter protections and fair housing
- Legal Services Corporation: lsc.gov — find free legal aid in your state
- Cornell Legal Information Institute: law.cornell.edu/wex — plain-English legal definitions
- Your state statute & court self-help portal: search “[your state] landlord tenant act” and “[your state] court self-help eviction” for the exact law and forms
Content last reviewed September 2026. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.
California Renter Guides
- California Eviction Process
- California Tenant Rights
- California Security Deposit Law
- California Rent Increase Laws
- California Repairs and Habitability
- Breaking a Lease in California
Related Guides
- Tenant Rights by State (50-State Guide)
- More in This Category
- Tenant Scenarios — What to Do When…
- Notices, Letters & Documents
- Comparison Guides
- Tenant Rights Legal Glossary
Informational only — not legal advice. Tenant Rights Info is an independent educational resource, not a law firm, and this page does not provide legal advice. Landlord-tenant law varies by state and city and changes over time, so always verify the exact rule with your state’s statute, your local court’s self-help portal, or a legal-aid office. For urgent situations like an active eviction, contact a local legal-aid office or a licensed tenant attorney in your state right away.