Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Tenant Protection Ordinances

The City Council adopted a Rent Stabilization Ordinance and a Just Cause Tenant Protection Ordinance at its meeting on April 13, 2022. Both ordinances went into effect on June 2, 2022. Read through this webpage to learn what rent stabilization means to Oxnard tenants and landlords.

Rent Stabilization Ordinance Summary

Maximum Permissible Annual Rent Increase

• Owners may not impose more than one rent increase for a covered dwelling unit in any 12-month period
• The maximum permissible annual rent increase is 4%

Exemptions to Rent Stabilization

Generally speaking, the ordinance applies to all multifamily residential properties that were issued their first certificate of occupancy before February 1, 1995, unless a specific exemption applies. Examples of the types of properties that are exempt from the ordinance include:

• Most single-family homes or condominiums (see note below)
• Duplexes in which one of the two units is occupied by the owner (see note below)
• Duplexes in which one of the two units is occupied by the owner
• Dwelling units expressly exempt from rent control per state or federal law
• Government-subsidized dwelling units
• Dwelling units that are subject to the City’s Mobile Home Park Rent Stabilization System
• Institutional properties like dormitories, hospitals, convents, and group homes
• Hotels, boarding houses, or other types of properties used for transient occupancy

Rental Registration

• By no later than September 1, 2022, the owner of every non-exempt residential must register their property with the city by completing, signing under penalty of perjury, and submitting it to the Housing Department
• Registration Form
• Please email registration forms to rent.stabilization@oxnard.org or deliver/mail the form to 435 South “D” Street, Oxnard CA, 93030

Enforcement and Rent Limitations

A tenant who believes that an owner has demanded, accepted, or retained rent in a sum greater than permitted under the Rent Stabilization Ordinance may file a complaint with the City of Oxnard.

Rent Overcharge Complaint Form. Please email the complaint form to rent.stabilization@oxnard.org or deliver/mail the to 435 South “D” Street, Oxnard CA, 93030.

Tenant Protection Ordinance Summary

Eviction Protections

• Limits the grounds for eviction for most tenancies in the city after a tenant has been in place for at least 30 days.
• If a tenant is evicted for a no-fault reason, the landlord must give the displaced tenant financial assistance to move in the amount equal to two months of the tenant’s rent at the time of displacement or $5,000, whichever is greater.
• The ordinance permits evictions for two categories of reasons: reasons arising from the tenant’s fault and reasons not arising from the tenant’s fault. Listed below is more information for which a tenant may be evicted under of the two categories:
   
  • No-Fault Eviction – Includes recovery of the unit in order for occupancy by owner or relative; owner going out of the rental business; owner compliance with government order related to habitability necessitating that the unit be vacated and demolition or substantial remodel.
  • Eviction for Fault – Includes failure to pay rent; breach or lease term; causing or permitting a nuisance; failure to sign written lease; criminal activity; subletting in violation of lease; refusal to allow owner lawful entry; termination of employment with owner and tenants failure to vacate after given notice of intent to vacate.
    
    
• If an owner chooses to evict a tenant for a no-fault reason, the owner must pay a relocation fee to the displaced tenant. A tenant evicted for fault is not entitled to any relocation assistance.

Ordinances

• Rent Stabilization Ordinance Ord 3013_ Rent Stabilization
• Just Cause Tenant Protection Ordinance Ord. 3012_ Just Cause

Frequently Asked Questions

Click here to access our Frequently Asked Questions.

Landlords and Tenant Forms and Resources

• Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Guide for Landlords
• Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Guide for Tenants
• Notice of Rent Stabilization Ordinance
• Notice of Just Cause and Tenant Protection Ordinance
• Rent Overcharge Complaint
• Rent Increase Notice
• Property Registration Form Oxnard
• Fair Return Application Packet
• Civil Citation Appeal
• Citation Deposit Waiver Request

Contact Information

For more information please email the Housing Department at rent.stabilization@oxnard.org or call (805) 385-7899.