Rent Stabilization Newsletter: October 2026

Rent Stabilization Program Updates

Rental Registry Late Fees Increase to 18.2% on November 1st

The Rent Stabilization Division reminds property owners and property managers that annual registration for the 2026-2027 program year is required under the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance.

Unregistered units began accruing late penalties on October 1st. Effective November 1, 2026, the late fee rate increases from 8.2% to 18.2% per unit. Property owners with outstanding registrations must register immediately to prevent additional fee escalations.

Rental Registry Late Fee Schedule Per Rental Unit

How to Complete Your Registration

To secure compliance, log in to the Rental Registry portal, review your unit information, complete any pending tasks, and pay all applicable fees.

Need Assistance?

To assist users with navigating the updated system, the Division has published a Rental Registration User Guide. For additional information or assistance, you can contact the Rent Stabilization Division using the Contact Us button.

User Guide Rental Registry Contact Us

Maximum Allowable Rent Increase Percent - Effective Through August 31, 2027

The allowable rent increase under the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance for the period of September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027, is 2.87%.

This limit is determined by the annual adjustment formula within the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance. Under the Ordinance, annual rent increases are capped at the lesser of 3% or 80% of the change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Table 1: Allowable Rent Increase Calculation

Property owners subject to the Ordinance may only implement one rent increase within a 12-month period and must comply with all applicable Ordinance requirements, including Rental Registry registration and notice requirements, before a rent increase may take effect. Residents and property owners are encouraged to visit the Rent Stabilization Division website for additional information regarding rent increase requirements and tenant protections.

Notice of Allowable Rent Increase - English Notice of Allowable Rent Increase - Spanish Notice of Allowable Rent Increase - Vietnamese

Ayuda Sin Fronteras Program - Funds Still Available

Established in July 2025, the Ayuda Sin Fronteras Program continues to offer a one-time payment of up to one month of housing assistance to cover past-due rent, utilities, or both for residents who have been financially affected by detention, deportation, or other immigration-related disruptions.

How to Apply:

Residents must be referred through a trusted community partner. Identification is required for all household members, but citizenship status will not be asked.

For more information, to check eligibility, or to start the referral process, visit the Ayuda Sin Fronteras website or call the helpline at (714) 565-2655.

Ayuda Sin Fronteras Webpage

Rental Housing Board - Two (2) Vacancies

The Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance ("Ordinance") establishes a Rental Housing Board to administer and enforce renter protections for Santa Ana tenants.

Under Section 8-3180 of the Ordinance, the Rental Housing Board ("Board") is comprised of seven (7) members appointed by the City Council, with each Councilmember selecting one (1) member, to be approved by the City Council.

Currently, there are two (2) vacancies on the Board. If you or someone you know is interested in serving your community by contributing to the oversight of renter protections, we encourage you to apply.

Applications are available on the City Clerk's Office website. Join us in supporting fair and equitable housing practices in Santa Ana-apply today!

City Clerk's Office Webpage

Upcoming Community Events

Join us to learn about your rights and responsibilities under the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance (RSJCEO). Division staff regularly attend local and virtual events to assist tenants and landlords in understanding how the Ordinance supports housing stability throughout Santa Ana.

Property Owner & Manager Informational Workshops

To assist housing providers in maintaining compliance, the Division is hosting dedicated virtual workshops covering registration timelines, allowable rent increases, exemptions, petitions, and mediation services:

• Thursday, November 5, 2026 | 10:00 AM (English) - Virtual via Zoom
• Tuesday, November 10, 2026 | 6:30 PM (English) - Virtual via Zoom
• Thursday, November 12, 2026 | 6:30 PM (English) - Virtual via Zoom

November Tenant's Rights Workshops

Are you facing housing challenges or interested in better understanding your rights? We have scheduled two upcoming Tenant's Rights Workshops for Tuesday, November 17, 2026:

• 8:30 AM (Spanish) - In-person at Willard Intermediate School
• 5:00 PM (English) - Virtual via Zoom

Please visit the Community Workshops webpage regularly for the latest schedule, Zoom access links, and event updates. If you have questions in the meantime, please contact the Rent Stabilization Division for assistance.

Go to Community Workshops Page

Serving our Residents

City staff serves the public on a daily basis by responding to telephone and email inquiries about the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance and general landlord/tenant issues. Persons contacting the City include landlords, tenants, real estate brokers, prospective tenants and prospective property owners. The most common topics of concern are evictions, allowable rent increases, and the City's Rental Registry.

Public Inquiries & Interactions
September 2025 to September 2026

Community Outreach

Pictured: Rent Stabilization Division Staff at SAPD Trunk or Treat Event.

SAPD Trunk or Treat Community Event:

On Thursday, October 22, 2026, the Rent Stabilization Division joined the Santa Ana Police Department and local families at Civic Center Plaza for the annual SAPD Trunk or Treat. Staff engaged with hundreds of community members, distributed family-friendly treats alongside multilingual educational flyers, and connected with local renters and owners to raise awareness about tenant protections and city housing resources.

Tenant's Rights Workshop:

On Tuesday, October 27, 2026, the Division hosted its monthly Tenant's Rights educational workshops, offering bilingual outreach both in person and online. To accommodate local families, an in-person morning session was held in Spanish at Círculos High School, followed by a live virtual evening session in English via Zoom. City staff presented an overview of the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance, detailed allowable rent cap limits, explained eviction protections, and hosted a live Q&A session to help participants navigate their specific housing questions.

Property Owner & Manager Informational Workshop:

In late October and continuing through November, the Division launched its focused workshop series tailored specifically for residential property owners, landlords, and property managers operating in Santa Ana. Offered virtually via Zoom Webinar, these practical sessions walk housing providers through key compliance timelines, online Rental Registry portal navigation, allowable rent increase limits, annual exemption filings, registry fee pass-through rules, and voluntary dispute mediation options.

Know Your Rights

If you believe the owner or property manager of your rental unit or mobilehome may not be in compliance with the Ordinance, or if you need assistance interpreting the Ordinance, please reach out to one of the City's community partners:

The California Courts Self-Help Guide assists landlords and tenants by offering the following resources:

• Landlords: Starting an eviction case (an unlawful detainer court case)
• Tenants: Understanding your options if you get a Notice to Quit or Summons and Complaint

Click here for more eviction and housing self-help resources.

Please be advised, the City does not recommend or endorse any particular law firm or agency, but leaves it up to tenants to determine their best course of action and chosen representation, if necessary.