Rent Control in Ojai

Last updated: January 2026

Local rent control plus California's AB 1482 tenant protections.

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Key Takeaways

  • Coverage: Multi-family properties (2+ units). Not applicable to Section 8 voucher holders.
  • Rent Increase Cap: 4% maximum once every 12 months.
  • Just Cause Protection: Required under Ojai ordinance.
  • Local Help: City of Ojai.

1. Overview of Rent Control in Ojai

The City of Ojai has a Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Tenant Protection Ordinance (Title 11 of the Ojai City Code) that became effective on April 28, 2023. The ordinance is split into two chapters:

  • Chapter 1, Rent Stabilization Ordinance – Limits rent increases above the allowable limit of 4%, and no more than once in any 12-month period to non-exempt properties.
  • Chapter 2, Just Cause Evictions and Tenant Protections – Limits the grounds for eviction for most tenancies in the City after a tenant has been in place for at least 30 days.

Important Note: The ordinance provides greater protections than California's statewide rent control law (AB 1482). Because the local law limits rent increases more strictly (4% vs. 5-10%), and provides just cause protections after 30 days (vs. 12 months under AB 1482), AB 1482 does not apply to properties subject to the ordinance.

This article is a high‑level guide based on public resources such as the City of Ojai Rent Stabilization FAQ and the Ojai Municipal Code Title 11. It is not legal advice.

2. Who Is Covered by Rent Control in Ojai?

Rent Stabilization (Chapter 1): Generally speaking, the Rent Stabilization Ordinance applies to all multifamily residential properties that were issued their first certificate of occupancy before February 1, 1995, unless a specific exemption applies.

Just Cause Evictions and Tenant Protections (Chapter 2): The Just Cause chapter applies to most tenancies in the City, with some exemptions listed below.

Exemptions from Rent Stabilization include:

  • Most single-family homes or condominiums – These are exempt under the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, though they may still be protected under California's statewide Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482) and may be subject to just cause eviction protections.
  • Accessory dwelling units – These are exempt.
  • Duplexes in which one of the two units is occupied by the owner – These are exempt.
  • Dwelling units expressly exempt from rent control per state or federal law – These are exempt.
  • Government-subsidized dwelling units – These are exempt.
  • Institutional properties – Dormitories, hospitals, convents, and group homes are exempt.
  • Hotels, boarding houses, or other types of properties used for transient occupancy – These are exempt.

Exemptions from Just Cause Evictions and Tenant Protections include:

  • Hotels, boarding houses, or other types of properties used for transient occupancy
  • Institutional properties like dormitories, hospitals, convents, and group homes
  • Housing accommodations in which the tenant shares bathroom or kitchen facilities with the landlord who maintains their principal residence at the unit
  • Single-family owner-occupied residences, including a residence in which the owner-occupant rents or leases no more than two units or bedrooms, including, but not limited to, an accessory dwelling unit or a junior accessory dwelling unit
  • Duplexes in which one of the two units is occupied by the owner as the principal place of residence
  • Residential real property occupied by the Landlord, or their spouse, domestic partner, children, grandchildren, parents, or grandparents for at least six months before a fixed-length tenancy of up to six months, and for which the Landlord, or their spouse, domestic partner, children, grandchildren, parents, or grandparents have a good faith intent to reoccupy the unit after conclusion of the tenancy

Note: The above lists are not exhaustive. The full list of exemptions can be found in Section 11-1.08 (Rent Stabilization) and Section 11-2.08 (Just Cause Evictions) of the ordinance.

Tools like RentCheckMe can help you check whether your building is likely covered based on its construction year and property type. Note: Since we only have year-level data, properties built in 1995 may be covered if built before February 1, 1995, but we cannot determine this without month-level information.

3. Maximum Allowable Rent Increases

Under the Rent Stabilization Ordinance, annual rent increases are capped at 4%, and no more than one increase is permitted in any 12-month period.

Key rules for rent increases:

  • The 4% cap applies to rent-stabilized units.
  • Landlords can only increase rent once every 12 months.
  • Vacancy rent control: An owner may set the initial rent for new tenancies after a unit has been vacated. The City does not have the authority to impose rent control, which is the ability to limit the initial rent of vacant units.
  • Annual allowable rent increases and rents set for new tenancies for vacant units do not require approval by the City.

Petition for Increase Above 4%: Landlords can apply to the Community Development Director for an increase above 4% if the landlord contends that the limitations on rent increases will prevent them from receiving a fair and reasonable return. A landlord must notify tenants if they are applying to increase rent above the allowable 4%.

What is considered rent? Rent is defined as all periodic payments and all nonmonetary consideration, including, but not limited to, the fair market value of goods or services rendered to or for the benefit of the Landlord under an agreement concerning the use or occupancy of residential real property, including, but not limited to, all payment and consideration demanded or paid for parking, pets, furniture, and subletting.

4. Just Cause Eviction Protections

The Just Cause Evictions and Tenant Protections chapter limits the grounds for eviction for most tenancies in the City after a tenant has been in place for at least 30 days. This is more protective than AB 1482, which requires 12 months.

If the rental unit is subject to the Just Cause and Tenant Protections Chapter, tenants can only be evicted for "just cause" reasons, which are broken into two categories: At-fault and No-fault.

At-fault just cause reasons: Landlords may evict a tenant for the following "for cause" or "at-fault" reasons:

  • Default in the payment of rent
  • Creating waste or nuisance, or using unit for illegal purposes
  • Failure to sign a substantially similar lease
  • Assign or sublet in violation of lease agreement
  • Refuse reasonable access to landlord for necessary repairs after notice
  • Failure to vacate after termination of employment
  • Failure to move out after providing landlord notice of intent to terminate

No-fault just cause reasons: Landlords may evict a tenant for the following "no-fault" reasons:

  • Good faith intent to occupy the rental unit as a primary place of residence by the landlord or the landlord's spouse, domestic partner, children, grandchildren, parents, or grandparents
  • Withdrawal of the residential unit from the rental market subject to the provisions of the Ellis Act
  • To comply with a government order
  • Intent to demolish or substantially remodel the rental unit

Notice Requirements: Landlords must give tenants a notice of their alleged violations and give the tenant an opportunity to cure the alleged violation. The notice must inform the tenant of the alleged violation, that if they do not cure the alleged violation they may be evicted, and the City's contact number. Landlords must notify tenants before they initiate eviction proceedings.

Important: The ordinance does not expand the grounds on which a tenant may be evicted, and it does not relieve tenants of the obligation to comply with an existing lease (except to the extent that a lease provision conflicts with a provision of the ordinance).

5. Using RentCheckMe with Official Resources

By combining our automated check with trusted resources like the City of Ojai Rent Stabilization FAQ and the Ojai Municipal Code Title 11, you can get both a quick snapshot and deeper, individualized help for your situation.

After you run an address through RentCheckMe, consider:

  • Contacting the Community Development Department for information about the ordinance and compliance (phone: 805-646-5581, address: 401 South Ventura Street, Ojai, CA 93023)
  • Filing a petition if you believe a rent increase or service reduction violates the ordinance
  • Consulting with a qualified attorney or tenant counseling organization
  • Reviewing the Ojai Municipal Code Title 11 for detailed ordinance information, including Section 11-1.08 (Exemptions) and Section 11-2.08 (Just Cause Exemptions)

6. Resources for Ojai Tenants

7. Important Disclaimer

This article is intended as a readable, high‑level overview of rent control in Ojai, drawn from public resources like the City of Ojai Rent Stabilization FAQ and the Ojai Municipal Code Title 11. It does not cover every exception or nuance and does not constitute legal advice.

Laws change, and how they apply can depend on the specific facts of your tenancy, including the exact construction date of your building, whether your unit falls under one of the exemptions, and other factors. Note that the ordinance was recently adopted (effective April 28, 2023) and may be subject to updates or clarifications.

For binding guidance about your rights or obligations, speak with the Community Development Department (phone: 805-646-5581), a qualified attorney, or a tenant‑counseling organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Ojai have its own rent control ordinance?

Yes, Ojai has a local rent control ordinance that provides protections beyond California's statewide AB 1482. The local ordinance typically covers more properties and may have stricter rent increase limits.

How much can my landlord raise rent in Ojai?

For units covered by Ojai's local ordinance, rent increases are limited by the local rules (often based on CPI). For units only covered by AB 1482, the cap is 5% + CPI or 10%, whichever is lower.

What protections do I have as a tenant in Ojai?

Tenants in Ojai may have just cause eviction protections under both the local ordinance and AB 1482, meaning landlords must have a valid legal reason to evict you after you've lived in the unit for a certain period.

Other Cities in California

Learn about rent control in other cities in California:

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