Want to skip straight to checking your own building? Use the RentCheckMe address checker.
Santa Ana, the county seat of Orange County and one of the most densely populated cities in California, enacted the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance effective November 19, 2021. The ordinance was driven by a severe affordable housing shortage and rapid rent increases that had displaced longtime residents in one of California's most working-class Latino cities. Santa Ana became one of the few Orange County cities to adopt meaningful rent stabilization protections.
The ordinance applies to residential rental units in buildings constructed on or before February 1, 1995, and to mobile home spaces in parks established before 1990. It caps annual rent increases, requires landlords to register rental units, provides just-cause eviction protections, and mandates relocation assistance for qualifying no-fault evictions. In October 2025, the Orange County Superior Court ruled that the city's Rental Housing Board — the body created to administer the ordinance — was unconstitutional. Tenants should contact the city's Rent Stabilization Program directly for the current enforcement status.
Renters in units not covered by the local ordinance — such as those built after February 1, 1995, or in single-family homes — may still have protections under California's AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act of 2019), which limits annual rent increases to 5% plus local CPI (capped at 10%) and requires just cause for eviction for qualifying tenants who have rented for 12 months or more.
The Santa Ana Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance covers the following units:
The following are exempt from the local ordinance:
AB 1482 backstop: If your unit is not covered by the local ordinance — for example, because the building was built after 1995 or you live in a single-family home — you may still qualify for protections under California's AB 1482. AB 1482 caps rent increases at 5% plus local CPI (no more than 10% total) and requires just cause for eviction after 12 months of tenancy, for eligible units statewide. AB 1482 does not apply to single-family homes where the owner has provided a required exemption notice, nor to condominiums sold separately from other units.
Under the Santa Ana Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance, the maximum allowable rent increase is whichever is less of:
The cap is adjusted annually. For the period September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026, the maximum allowable rent increase is 2.42%. Landlords may only impose one rent increase per 12-month period on a covered unit.
Registration fee pass-through: Landlords may pass through up to $50 per unit per month to tenants to cover the city's rental registration fee. If a landlord charges more than $50, the tenant is entitled to a reimbursement of the excess amount.
Banked increases: Landlords who do not raise rent in a given year should not assume they may bank those increases for future years — consult the city's Rent Stabilization Program for current guidance on this issue. Always provide written notice of any rent increase as required by California law (at least 30 days for increases under 10%; 90 days for increases of 10% or more).
The Santa Ana ordinance requires landlords to have a valid just-cause reason to terminate a tenancy for covered units. Just-cause reasons are generally divided into at-fault and no-fault categories.
At-fault just-cause reasons (tenant is responsible) include:
No-fault just-cause reasons (tenant is not at fault) include:
Relocation assistance: For no-fault evictions, landlords are required to provide relocation assistance to displaced tenants. The specific amount is defined by the ordinance and may depend on the circumstances of the eviction. Tenants should contact the city's Rent Stabilization Program or a local legal aid organization to confirm the current relocation assistance requirements.
AB 1482 overlap: For units not covered by the local ordinance but covered by AB 1482, just-cause eviction protections apply after the tenant has resided in the unit for at least 12 months. AB 1482's just-cause categories are similar but defined separately under state law.
Rental Registry: Landlords of covered units in Santa Ana are required to register their rental units through the city's online Rental Registry. Registration is a prerequisite for imposing lawful rent increases. Failure to register may affect a landlord's ability to collect rent increases or defend an eviction action. Tenants can check whether their unit is registered through the city's Rent Stabilization Program portal.
Rent Board and Administration: The ordinance originally created a Rental Housing Board to administer and enforce the program. In October 2025, the Orange County Superior Court ruled that the Rental Housing Board was unconstitutional. This ruling may significantly affect how the ordinance is administered and enforced. Tenants and landlords should contact the Santa Ana Rent Stabilization Program at the City of Santa Ana Community Development Agency for updated information on enforcement procedures and any appeals process.
Petitions and Disputes: Prior to the October 2025 court ruling, tenants could file petitions with the Rental Housing Board to challenge unlawful rent increases or improper eviction notices. Contact the city directly to determine the current process for resolving disputes.
Anti-harassment: The ordinance prohibits landlords from harassing tenants to force them out of their units. This includes reducing or eliminating services, failing to make required repairs, threatening tenants, or taking retaliatory action in response to a tenant exercising their legal rights. Tenants who believe they are being harassed should document the conduct and contact the city or a legal aid organization.
Use RentCheckMe's address checker at rentcheckme.com to quickly determine whether your unit in Santa Ana is likely covered by the local Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance or by AB 1482.
The following resources can provide direct assistance:
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Rent control laws and local ordinances change frequently — including through court decisions such as the October 2025 Orange County Superior Court ruling on Santa Ana's Rental Housing Board — and the accuracy of this content may be affected by developments after the last updated date. Renters and landlords should contact the Santa Ana Rent Stabilization Program or a qualified legal aid organization for advice specific to their situation.
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
Use the Address Checker →We'll email you if the rent cap, coverage rules, or tenant protections change — no spam, unsubscribe any time.