Long Beach Landlord-Tenant Rules
Long Beach adds local rules on top of California landlord-tenant law. Here is what is different, with the city code or agency page behind each rule.
| Rent stabilization | Long Beach has no local rent control. The state AB 1482 rent cap applies. The city's earlier Tenant Relocation Assistance Ordinance (LBMC Ch. 8.97), which was triggered by rent increases of 10% or more, was repealed in December 2019 as inoperable after AB 1482. Per a Council District 1 page. The repealing ordinance number was not checked. |
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| Just-cause eviction | The Just Cause for Termination of Tenancies Ordinance (adopted March 10, 2020) is modeled on AB 1482 and works alongside it. It adds substantial remodel as a no-fault just cause and requires owners to notify the city when they use the substantial-remodel cause. Tenants may sue a landlord who falsely evicts for demolition or substantial remodel. In a March 2024 memo, staff recommended amending 8.99 after SB 567 (https://www.longbeach.gov/globalassets/city-manager/media-library/documents/memos-to-the-mayor-tabbed-file-list-folders/2024/march-11--2024---update-on-just-cause-for-termination-of-tenancies-ordinance-). Whether amendments were adopted was not verified. Source: LBMC Ch. 8.99 |
| Relocation assistance | Demolition or substantial remodel: the greater of $4,500 or 2 months' rent. All other no-fault just-cause terminations: 1 month's rent, paid directly or by waiving the last month's rent. Payment is due within 15 calendar days of the written termination notice. Enforcement is by the tenant's civil action. The city does not mediate or give legal advice. Source: LBMC Ch. 8.99 |
| Lockouts/harassment | The Tenant Harassment ordinance prohibits owners (and their agents and contractors) from, among other things, interrupting or failing to provide required housing services, threatening utility shutoffs (Civil Code 789.3), failing to make timely required repairs, abusing the right to enter, and pressuring tenants to give up their tenancy or rights. A tenant may sue for an injunction, damages, and a civil penalty of $2,000-$5,000 per violation, plus up to $5,000 more per violation if the tenant is over 65 or disabled, along with attorney's fees. This is the 2020 urgency ordinance text. A companion ordinance (ORD-20-0049) may have amended it, and the current codified text was not checked. Source: LBMC Ch. 8.101 (ORD-20-0044) |
| Habitability/code enforcement & complaint line | Code Enforcement runs the Proactive Rental Housing Inspection Program (PRHIP), which inspects residential rental properties under LBMC 18.30.120 for building, housing and sanitation code compliance. Source: LBMC Sec. 18.30.120 |
| Tenant right to counsel | Since January 2021, Long Beach has taken part in LA County's Stay Housed LA Right to Counsel initiative. It provides limited- and full-scope eviction defense to low-income tenants, including representation in unlawful detainers. Funding is about $1.5 million in LA County Measure A funds. Stay Housed LA: 800-694-0040. This is a funded program, not a codified right. The income limits for eligibility were not stated in the memo. |
| Rental assistance | Long Beach Renter Aid (launched April 23, 2026) gives one-time financial help of up to $9,000 for overdue rent, short-term rent, utilities, moving costs and deposits. It is for Long Beach renters at or below 50% AMI who had a housing emergency in the past 12 months. Priority goes to people 55+, people facing imminent eviction, and people hurt by federal benefit or immigration-enforcement changes. Monthly application windows run the 5th-12th until funds run out (longbeach.gov/RenterAid). An Older Adult Shallow Subsidy (up to $12,000 over 2 years, 50% AMI) started in May 2026. Whether funds remain as of October 2026 was not verified. |
Eviction cases in Long Beach are heard in: Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles (unlawful detainer)
Eviction court, fees and help
Right to a lawyer in eviction cases
Funded program, not an ordinance. Low-income tenants facing eviction can get counsel through Stay Housed LA (City/County partnership). Official source
Local agencies
- Community Development - Housing & Neighborhood Services — Tenant and landlord information on LBMC 8.99 and substantial remodel displacement tracking.
- Code Enforcement (PRHIP) — Proactive rental housing inspections and code complaints.
- Fair Housing Foundation — City-partnered fair housing counseling, tenant rights help, and mediation. 562-989-1206.
- Stay Housed LA — Free eviction defense and tenant workshops for eligible tenants. 800-694-0040.
Frequently asked questions
What landlord-tenant rules does Long Beach add on top of California law?
Rent stabilization: Long Beach has no local rent control. The state AB 1482 rent cap applies. The city's earlier Tenant Relocation Assistance Ordinance (LBMC Ch. 8.97), which was triggered by rent increases of 10% or more, was repealed in December 2019 as inoperable after AB 1482.; Just-cause eviction: The Just Cause for Termination of Tenancies Ordinance (adopted March 10, 2020) is modeled on AB 1482 and works alongside it. It adds substantial remodel as a no-fault just cause and requires owners to notify the city when they use the substantial-remodel cause. Tenants may sue a landlord who falsely evicts for demolition or substantial remodel.; Relocation assistance: Demolition or substantial remodel: the greater of $4,500 or 2 months' rent. All other no-fault just-cause terminations: 1 month's rent, paid directly or by waiving the last month's rent. Payment is due within 15 calendar days of the written termination notice.; Lockouts/harassment: The Tenant Harassment ordinance prohibits owners (and their agents and contractors) from, among other things, interrupting or failing to provide required housing services, threatening utility shutoffs (Civil Code 789.3), failing to make timely required repairs, abusing the right to enter, and pressuring tenants to give up their tenancy or rights. A tenant may sue for an injunction, damages, and a civil penalty of $2,000-$5,000 per violation, plus up to $5,000 more per violation if the tenant is over 65 or disabled, along with attorney's fees.
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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.