Rent Stabilization Newsletter: June 2026

Rent Stabilization Program Updates

Announcement of 2026-27 Maximum Allowable Rent Increase

2.87%

Effective September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027, the maximum allowable rent increase for covered rental units and mobilehome spaces in Santa Ana 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

The Rental Registry Deadline is Fast Approaching - Complete Your Registration by July 1, 2026

The deadline for the annual Rental Registry registration period is coming to a close. Property owners and property managers must ensure that all rental units subject to the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance must be registered by July 1, 2026.

To complete registration, log in to the Rental Registry, review your property and unit information, submit any required registration details, and pay all applicable registration fees. Property owners claiming an exemption must also ensure their exemption requests have been submitted for review.

Completing registration helps maintain compliance with the Ordinance and ensures the City has accurate information regarding rental housing throughout Santa Ana. Property owners who have not yet completed their registration are strongly encouraged to do so as soon as possible to avoid late fees and potential compliance issues.

ℹ️ Notice Regarding Outstanding Tasks

Some properties may display outstanding Tasks within the Rental Registry, such as Change of Occupancy, Rent Increase, or other compliance-related submissions.

To obtain a Registered status, property owners and managers must submit their registration, pay all applicable registration fees, and receive approval for any exemptions they have applied for.

Property owners and managers remain responsible for completing and submitting all required Tasks. However, outstanding Tasks will not prevent a property from achieving a Registered status for the 2026-2027 registration period. Failure to complete required submissions may result in compliance issues and could affect eligibility for certain Ordinance benefits and protections.

Please review your account regularly and complete any outstanding Tasks as soon as possible.

For assistance with registration, please review the Rental Registration User Guide or contact the Rent Stabilization Division

User Guide Rental Registry Contact Us

Ayuda Sin Fronteras Program Receives Additional Funding

The Santa Ana City Council has approved additional funding to continue the Ayuda Sin Fronteras ("Help Without Borders") Program, ensuring ongoing emergency financial assistance to households impacted by recent immigration enforcement operations.

Established in July 2025, the Ayuda Sin Fronteras Program offers 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 - Now Accepting Applications

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 Five (5) 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.

ℹ️ Community Workshops Updates

The Rent Stabilization Division is currently scheduling its upcoming community workshops. Dates, times, and registration information will be announced once finalized.

Please visit the Community Workshops webpage regularly for the latest schedule 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
May 2025 to May 2026

Community Outreach

Rental Registry Registration Assistance: :

Throughout the month of June, the Rent Stabilization Division dedicated its outreach efforts to assisting residential property owners and property managers with completing their annual Rental Registry registration for the 2026-2027 program year. Division staff provided one-on-one assistance by phone, email, and in person, helping users navigate the Rental Registry, answer registration questions, resolve account and property-related issues, and ensure required information was accurately submitted before the July 1 registration deadline. These outreach efforts support the Division's commitment to making the registration process as accessible and efficient as possible while promoting compliance with the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance. The Rent Stabilization Division appreciates the cooperation of Santa Ana's property owners and managers and remains available to provide ongoing assistance with Rental Registry and Ordinance-related questions.

Rent Stabilization Division staff assisting with Rental Registry registration.

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.