Pomona tenants will see rent increases remain capped under the city’s Rent Stabilization and Eviction Control Ordinance after the City Council voted on October 19, 2026, to extend the program past December 2026. The council also weighed a proposal to set up a rental registry meant to track rental properties and possibly tighten enforcement. That registry proposal failed while the rent-stabilization program continued, according to the California Apartment Association and industry bulletins. The city’s rent stabilization program costs about $578,000 each year, a figure that shaped the council’s funding debate.
The council’s move keeps current rent protections in place for covered units. Under Ordinance 4359, landlords can raise rent only once per year by up to 5%, with no link to the Consumer Price Index. For a household paying $1,800 monthly, this cap allows a maximum increase of $90, raising the rent to $1,890 and adding $1,080 over a year. The ordinance covers rental buildings with a certificate of occupancy issued on or before February 1, 1995, and exempts owner-occupied duplexes, single-family homes, and condominiums. Landlords can apply for adjustments through city procedures. The ordinance also limits evictions to qualifying legal reasons and requires relocation assistance in some no-fault cases. Pomona’s rent-control system stands apart from those in nearby cities, using a fixed 5% annual ceiling instead of an inflation-based formula, as shown by a 2026 municipal rent-control comparison from city and county records.
Registry Proposal Fails Amid Enforcement Concerns
The rental registry proposal, which would have required landlords to report property and rent details to the city, did not pass in the council’s October 2026 session. The California Apartment Association, which opposed the registry, reported that council members agreed to continue rent stabilization but turned down the registry-related funding option. The city’s agenda listed two funding amounts—$273,801 and $355,401 from General Fund reserves—with the higher figure tied to registry development. The registry proposal had been rejected before, and the October 2026 decision marked another defeat for the measure. The official meeting minutes confirming the votes were not yet published at the time of reporting. The Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles also tracked the issue, issuing a "Red Alert" before the meeting and confirming the outcome in its October 23, 2026, bulletin.
Without a registry, Pomona will keep using its existing complaint and petition process for tenants and landlords. How the absence of a registry affects oversight and enforcement remains unresolved. Tenants who want to challenge improper rent increases or evictions must use the city’s established procedures, and coverage depends on the property type and situation.
Implications for Pomona’s Renters
Pomona’s rent-control rules carry weight in a city with a large Latino population and ongoing concerns about housing costs. For many families, stable rent means keeping access to schools, jobs, and support networks. Still, the city’s ordinance does not cover every rental unit. The policy applies only to rental buildings with a certificate of occupancy issued on or before February 1, 1995, and exempts owner-occupied duplexes, houses, and condominiums, as detailed in a citywide rent-control comparison. The availability of information—especially in Spanish—can affect whether tenants know and use their rights. The city’s program operates separately from Los Angeles County’s eviction protections, which apply differently in unincorporated areas.
Tenants who get a rent-increase notice should check if their unit is covered by Pomona’s ordinance. For eligible units, the standard annual cap is 5%, with only one increase allowed per year unless an exemption or adjustment is approved. Tenants are advised to keep all relevant documents and use the city’s Petition for Noncompliance process if they believe their rights have been violated. Landlords must also review the ordinance before raising rents or claiming exemptions. As of October 2026, Pomona’s rent-control limit remained listed as 5% for the January–December 2026 period, with January 1, 2027, set as the next change point in a separate rent-cap database (LAAA rent control comparison).
Unanswered Questions on Enforcement
The council’s October 19 vote, as reported by the California Apartment Association and industry sources, keeps Pomona’s rent-control program running beyond its previous expiration date. The city did not approve a new December 2027 expiration, and the final adopted resolution still awaits official confirmation. The effectiveness of enforcement without a rental registry, the speed of complaint resolution, and the accessibility of information for Spanish-speaking residents remain open questions for Pomona’s tenant community. For further details on the council’s actions and the ongoing debate, see the original coverage and industry reporting.
