City Charter Amendment Background
On December 12, 2022, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 9970, certifying the November 8, 2022 General Election results showing that Measure H – the Pasadena Charter Amendment Initiative Petition Measure Imposing Rent Control, was deemed approved by voters. The Charter Amendment was subsequently filed with the California Secretary of State and took effect on December 22, 2022.
The City is a party in a lawsuit that challenges the validity of Measure H, California Apartment Assn. v. City of Pasadena, case no. 22STCP04376. The City successfully defended the measure, and on March 28, 2023, a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge upheld the validity of Measure H, with minor exceptions. The litigation is still pending and has been appealed. The City has proceeded with the appointment of the Rental Housing Board to meet deadlines under Measure H. The first meeting of the Rental Housing Board took place on May 24, 2023. The Board is in the process of developing a work plan to implement Measure H
Measure H Implementation
Measure H assigns powers and duties to administer and enforce the provisions of the Charter Amendment to the Pasadena Rental Housing Board. Measure H states that Rental Board, “shall exercise its powers and duties under this Article independent from the City Council, City Manager, and City Attorney, except by request of the Rental Board.” As required by Measure H, the Pasadena Rental Housing Board is the body responsible for the implementation of the measure.
The City’s implementation of Measure H is limited to the establishment of the Rental Housing Board. City staff is not empowered by the Measure to act as the Rental Board in the interim period. In fact, for City staff to act as the Rental Housing Board would be inconsistent with the clear instructions of the Measure as stated above. Once the Rental Board is established and convenes, the Rental Housing Board will interpret and implement the specific actions required under Measure H.
Rental Housing Board Responsibilities
The powers and duties of the Rental Housing Board are delineated in Section 1811(e) of the newly adopted Charter Amendment. Among other things, the future Pasadena Rental Housing Board will have the authority to establish rent increases, produce written notices and publish forms for noticing to current and prospective tenants, establish and maintain a rental registry, establish rules and regulations related to rent control, and enforcement of the Charter Amendment.
While the City Council appoints Rental Housing Board members, the Rental Housing Board is responsible for fulfilling the powers and duties prescribed in the Charter Amendment. The City cannot provide legal advice, interpret the amendment, or fulfil those duties assigned to the Rental Housing Board.
Section 1811(e) Pasadena Rental Housing Board - Powers and Duties
About the Pasadena Rental Housing Board
The Pasadena Rental Housing Board was established as part of the adoption of Measure H. Its composition, duties, authority, and oversight of the Pasadena Fair & Equitable Housing Charter Amendment was codified in the City Charter Article XVIII, Section 1811 with the passage of Measure H.
For more information about the Pasadena Rental Housing Board, including meeting dates, times, and agendas, visit the Rental Housing Board webpage.
