Overview: Pomona Adopts Permanent Rent Stabilization Ordinance with 5% Cap
On November 17, 2025, the Pomona City Council adopted a permanent Rent Stabilization and Eviction Control Ordinance (RSO) that will take effect January 1, 2026, limiting annual rent increases to 5%.
This new ordinance, Ordinance No. 4359, replaces the temporary rent stabilization program that capped increases at inflation (around 4%) and adds new tenant protection standards while simplifying administration by removing the rent registry program.
The ordinance will remain in place for one year, through December 31, 2026, and may be extended if additional funding is approved.
Key Provisions of Pomona’s Rent Control Ordinance
1. 5% Rent Increase Cap
Landlords cannot raise rent by more than 5% in any 12-month period. Specifically:
“No Landlord may request, receive, or retain an increase… that exceeds five percent (5%) of the highest monthly rent for that Covered Rental Unit during the twelve (12) months prior to the effective date.”
This rule aligns closely with California’s AB 1482 but eliminates CPI-based variation, providing a consistent 5% ceiling citywide.
2. One Rent Increase Per Year
Only one increase is allowed per 12-month period, regardless of tenant turnover or lease renewal schedule. Landlords must serve proper notice (minimum 30 days for ≤10% increases).
3. Eviction Control (Just Cause Requirements)
The ordinance limits terminations to just cause grounds—either at-fault (e.g., nonpayment, breach, nuisance) or no-fault (e.g., owner move-in, withdrawal from rental market).
No-fault evictions require relocation assistance to be paid to tenants.
4. Exemptions
The following units are exempt from Pomona’s rent control and eviction protections:
- Single-family homes and condominiums (unless owned by a corporate entity)
- Duplexes where the owner occupies one unit
- New construction with a Certificate of Occupancy issued after February 1, 1995
- Units already exempt under Costa-Hawkins
5. Removal of Rent Registry Program
In a 3–2 vote, the Council opted to eliminate the rent registry system originally proposed under the temporary ordinance. This means landlords are no longer required to submit rent roll data or register each unit with the city, a major administrative relief.
Compliance Timeline
| Effective Date | Provision | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2026 | Ordinance Begins | 5% rent cap, just cause rules take effect |
| Jan–Dec 2026 | Active Term | Ordinance remains in force for one year |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Sunset Date | May be extended if funding secured |
How Pomona’s RSO Aligns with AB 1482
While both laws share similar tenant protection principles, Pomona’s RSO differs in key ways:
| Topic | Pomona Ordinance | AB 1482 (Statewide) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent Cap | Flat 5% | 5% + CPI (max 10%) |
| Registry Requirement | Removed | None statewide |
| Relocation Assistance | Required for no-fault evictions | Also required |
| Duration | 1 year (through 2026) | Permanent statewide |
| Enforcement | City of Pomona | Statewide enforcement |
Pomona’s cap is stricter than AB 1482 when CPI inflation exceeds 0%, but simpler to calculate.
CAA’s Influence and City Council Shifts
This policy reflects a notable political shift following Pomona’s 2024 municipal election. New council members Debra Martin and Elizabeth Ontiveros-Cole, both supported by the California Apartment Association (CAA), brought a more landlord-friendly, business-oriented approach to local housing policy.
“Not only did Council raise the cap to 5% in its permanent ordinance, a slim majority also decided to remove the rent registry program,”
said Matt Buck, CAA’s Vice President of Public Affairs for Los Angeles County.
For landlords, this vote marks a rare balance between rental stability and property rights, streamlining compliance while maintaining fair rent growth limits.
What Pomona Landlords Should Do Now
Rentix recommends every landlord with units in Pomona:
✅ Audit lease agreements before January 2026 to ensure compliance with both AB 1482 and Pomona RSO.
✅ Prepare rent increase notices in advance and schedule them after January 1.
✅ Budget for relocation assistance if any no-fault evictions are planned.
✅ Document all rent adjustments and maintain tenant communications in writing.
Failure to comply could expose landlords to civil penalties, tenant damages, or loss of future rent increase rights.
How Rentix Property Management Keeps You Compliant
At Rentix Property Management, we help Pomona landlords stay ahead of every legal change—local or statewide. Our team monitors new ordinances, files required notices, and ensures rent increases, lease renewals, and evictions stay fully compliant.
Partner with Rentix for:
- Legal compliance tracking for Pomona and AB 1482
- Professional lease management
- Transparent communication with tenants
- Strategic rent optimization under rent control
? Call Rentix Property Management today to review your Pomona portfolio before the new law takes effect.
Key Takeaways
- Effective: January 1, 2026
- Cap: 5% per 12 months
- Registry: Removed
- Duration: 1 year (through 2026)
- Eviction: Just cause required
- Relocation: Mandatory for no-fault cases
- Exemptions: SFRs, owner-occupied duplexes, post-1995 builds
Work with Pomona’s Property Management Experts
Rent control is complex, but compliance doesn’t have to be.
At Rentix Property Management, we simplify the process so you can focus on what matters most: growing your rental income with confidence.