Ojai enacted its Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Tenant Protection Ordinance in April 2023, capping rent increases at 4% for eligible pre-1995 multifamily units. California's AB 1482 serves as a backstop for units not covered by the local ordinance.·Updated May 2026
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Key Takeaways
Multifamily units (2+ units) with a certificate of occupancy issued before February 1, 1995. Single-family homes, condos, ADUs, owner-occupied duplexes, and government-subsidized units are exempt.
4% maximum rent increase per 12-month period under the local ordinance. Landlords may petition the Community Development Director for increases above 4%.
Just-cause eviction protections apply after 30 days of tenancy, covering both at-fault and no-fault grounds. No-fault evictions require relocation assistance of two months' rent or $5,000, whichever is greater.
City of Ojai Community Development Department — ojai.org
Ojai is a small, arts-oriented city in Ventura County with a population of roughly 7,500. Like many California communities, Ojai experienced significant rent pressures in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting the city to take action to protect long-term residents. On April 28, 2023, the City of Ojai adopted the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Tenant Protection Ordinance (Title 11), making it one of the smaller California cities to enact its own local rent control law.
The ordinance has two main chapters. Chapter 1 establishes rent stabilization for covered multifamily rental units, limiting annual rent increases to no more than 4% in any 12-month period. Chapter 2 provides just-cause eviction protections for most tenants after they have been in occupancy for at least 30 days — a stronger threshold than California's statewide AB 1482, which requires 12 months of tenancy before just-cause protections kick in.
For units not covered by Ojai's local ordinance — such as newer construction or units otherwise exempt — California's AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act of 2019) may apply as a backstop, limiting rent increases to 5% plus local CPI (capped at 10%) and requiring just cause for eviction after 12 months of tenancy. Because Ojai's ordinance provides greater protections than AB 1482, AB 1482 does not apply to properties already subject to the local ordinance.
2. Who Is Covered by Rent Control in Ojai?
Ojai's Rent Stabilization Ordinance (Title 11, Chapter 1) covers multifamily residential properties that received their first certificate of occupancy before February 1, 1995, and consist of two or more dwelling units. The following criteria determine coverage:
The property must be multifamily (2 or more units)
The certificate of occupancy must have been issued before February 1, 1995
The unit must not fall under a listed exemption
The following property types are exempt from the rent stabilization chapter:
Most single-family homes and condominiums (per Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act)
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs)
Duplexes in which one unit is owner-occupied
Units built on or after February 1, 1995
Government-subsidized or income-restricted dwelling units
Dwelling units expressly exempt from rent control under state or federal law
Institutional properties such as dormitories, hospitals, convents, and group homes
Hotels, boarding houses, and properties used for transient occupancy
If your unit is exempt from Ojai's local ordinance, California AB 1482 may still apply if the property is not otherwise exempt under state law (e.g., units built within the last 15 years, single-family homes, and condos are also exempt from AB 1482). AB 1482 caps increases at 5% plus local CPI (max 10%) and requires just cause after 12 months of tenancy.
3. Maximum Allowable Rent Increases
Under Ojai's Rent Stabilization Ordinance, landlords may not increase rent by more than 4% in any 12-month period for covered units. Key rules include:
Annual cap: No more than one rent increase per 12-month period, and that increase cannot exceed 4%.
No approval required for compliant increases: Rent increases at or below 4% and initial rents set for new tenancies after a unit has been vacated do not require City approval.
Above-cap increases: A landlord who believes the 4% cap prevents a fair and reasonable return on investment may petition the Community Development Director for approval of a higher increase. The petition process is designed to balance landlord investment needs against tenant protections.
New tenancies: When a unit is vacated, landlords may set the initial rent freely for the incoming tenant. Once that tenancy is established, the 4% annual cap applies to subsequent increases.
Program fees: Once established by the City Council, landlords will be required to pay a rent stabilization and/or tenant protection program fee to fund administration of the ordinance.
There is no CPI-tied formula in Ojai's ordinance — the 4% cap is a fixed ceiling, which provides more predictability for tenants than variable CPI-based caps used in other California cities.
4. Just Cause Eviction Protections
Chapter 2 of Ojai's Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Tenant Protection Ordinance restricts the grounds on which a landlord can evict a tenant. Protections apply to most tenancies after the tenant has been in occupancy for at least 30 days — notably stronger than AB 1482's 12-month threshold.
At-fault just cause reasons (tenant is responsible) generally include:
Failure to pay rent
Material breach of the lease after notice and opportunity to cure
Nuisance, waste, or illegal activity on the premises
Refusal to execute a new lease with similar terms after expiration
Subletting without landlord consent
No-fault just cause reasons (tenant is not at fault) generally include:
Owner move-in (landlord or qualified family member intends to occupy the unit)
Withdrawal of the unit from the rental market (Ellis Act)
Government order requiring the unit to be vacated
Substantial renovations requiring the unit to be vacated
Relocation assistance: When a tenant is displaced for a no-fault reason, the landlord is required to provide financial relocation assistance equal to two months' rent or $5,000, whichever is greater.
Notice and cure requirements: Before initiating eviction proceedings, landlords must notify tenants of alleged lease violations and provide an opportunity to cure. Landlords must also notify tenants before filing eviction proceedings. These procedural protections go beyond what AB 1482 requires.
5. Local Rules and Special Protections
Ojai's Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Tenant Protection Ordinance is administered by the City of Ojai Community Development Department. Key administrative provisions include:
Tenant notice requirements: Landlords must inform tenants of the rent stabilization ordinance and their rights before the tenancy begins and must include notice of tenant rights with any rent increase notice. This ensures tenants are aware of their protections from the outset.
Landlord petition process: Landlords who believe the 4% cap prevents a fair and reasonable return may file a petition with the Community Development Director. The Director reviews financial information and determines whether a higher increase is justified.
Tenant petition process: Tenants who believe a rent increase or reduction in services violates the ordinance may also file a petition with the City. This provides a formal mechanism to challenge unlawful increases or service cuts without going directly to court.
Program fees: The City Council has authority to establish annual program fees to be paid by landlords to fund ongoing administration of the rent stabilization and tenant protection program. Fee amounts will be set by Council resolution.
Anti-harassment: The ordinance's just-cause and notice provisions collectively function to protect tenants from retaliatory or harassing eviction attempts. Tenants who believe they are being harassed or subject to an unlawful eviction should contact the Community Development Department or a local legal aid organization.
To reach the City of Ojai Community Development Department, visit ojai.org or call City Hall at (805) 646-5581.
6. Using RentCheckMe with Official Resources
Use RentCheckMe's address checker to quickly determine whether your Ojai rental unit is covered by the local rent stabilization ordinance or by California's AB 1482 statewide protections.
For official guidance and to file a petition, contact the City of Ojai Community Development Department first:
City of Ojai — ojai.org — Administers the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Tenant Protection Ordinance; handles landlord and tenant petitions.
Tenants Together — California's statewide renter advocacy organization; provides renter education and referrals to local legal resources.
Housing Is Key — California's state tenant assistance program; call 833-430-2122 for help with rent, eviction prevention, and tenant rights information.
LawHelpCA.org — Connects Ventura County and California renters to free and low-cost legal aid organizations.
City of Ojai Community Development Department — Administers Ojai's Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Tenant Protection Ordinance. Handles landlord and tenant petitions and program fee information.
Tenants Together — California's statewide renter advocacy organization, offering education, resources, and referrals for Ojai and Ventura County renters.
Housing Is Key — California's state tenant assistance program. Call 833-430-2122 for help with rent, eviction prevention, and tenant rights.
LawHelpCA.org — Connects California renters, including those in Ventura County, to free and low-cost legal aid organizations.
California Courts Self-Help Center — Official court resources for tenants navigating eviction proceedings and understanding their legal rights in California.
8. Important Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Rent control laws and local ordinances can change; the information above reflects the Ojai Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Tenant Protection Ordinance as of the date noted. For advice specific to your situation, contact the City of Ojai Community Development Department or a qualified legal aid organization in Ventura County.
Check Your Address
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
Yes. Ojai enacted the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Tenant Protection Ordinance (Title 11) on April 28, 2023. The ordinance limits annual rent increases to 4% for covered multifamily units and requires just cause for eviction after 30 days of tenancy. It is one of the few small California cities to have adopted its own local rent control law.
What is the rent increase cap in Ojai?
Under Ojai's Rent Stabilization Ordinance, rent for covered units may not be increased by more than 4% in any 12-month period, and only one increase is permitted per year. Landlords who believe this cap prevents a fair and reasonable return may petition the Community Development Director for a higher increase. The 4% cap is a fixed ceiling, not tied to CPI.
Is my unit covered by Ojai's rent control ordinance?
Your unit is covered if it is part of a multifamily property (2 or more units) that received its first certificate of occupancy before February 1, 1995, and is not otherwise exempt. Exempt units include single-family homes, condominiums, ADUs, owner-occupied duplexes, government-subsidized units, and properties built on or after February 1, 1995. Use RentCheckMe's address checker or contact Ojai's Community Development Department to confirm your unit's status.
Can my landlord evict me without just cause in Ojai?
No, if your tenancy has lasted at least 30 days and your unit is covered by Ojai's ordinance. Chapter 2 of the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Tenant Protection Ordinance requires landlords to have a valid at-fault or no-fault reason to evict. For no-fault evictions, landlords must also provide relocation assistance equal to two months' rent or $5,000, whichever is greater. These protections are stronger than those under California's statewide AB 1482.
How do I contact the Ojai Rent Board?
Ojai does not have a standalone rent board; the ordinance is administered by the City of Ojai Community Development Department. You can reach them through the City's website at ojai.org or by calling City Hall at (805) 646-5581. Tenants may file petitions challenging unlawful rent increases or service reductions through the Community Development Director's office.
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