If you live in unincorporated Los Angeles County, NOT in the City of LA, NOT in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, or another incorporated city, your rent and eviction protections come from LA County’s Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protections Ordinance, not from LARSO (which is City-only).
The County ordinance (codified at LA County Code, Title 8, Chapter 8.52) was permanently extended in 2023. It caps rent increases on covered units, requires just cause for most evictions after 12 months, and requires relocation payments for no-fault terminations. The County rules and LA City LARSO have similar structures but different details, and the County program is consistently underused as a defense because tenants and landlords often confuse the two regimes.
We only represent tenants. County coverage is one of the first questions we ask in any LA-area case.
Quick Answer
Los Angeles County’s Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protections Ordinance (LA County Code Title 8, Chapter 8.52) applies to most rentals in unincorporated LA County (NOT the City of LA, NOT other incorporated cities). It caps annual rent increases at CPI (with regional minimum/maximum), requires just cause for evictions after 12 months tenancy, and requires relocation payments for no-fault terminations. AB 1482 also applies and stacks where the County ordinance does not.
Key Takeaways
- Applies to unincorporated LA County only, not LA City, not incorporated cities.
- Covers most multi-unit residential properties (with exemptions similar to LARSO).
- Annual rent increase capped at CPI (regional formula).
- Just cause required after 12 months tenancy.
- No-fault terminations require relocation payment (similar to LARSO).
- Administered by the LA County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA).
- AB 1482 also applies, stricter rule wins.
- Permanent ordinance since 2023.
Is your property in unincorporated LA County?
“Unincorporated” means the property is not within any city’s boundaries. Examples of unincorporated communities in LA County:
- East Los Angeles
- Altadena
- Hacienda Heights
- Rowland Heights
- La Crescenta-Montrose
- Topanga
- Westmont
- View Park-Windsor Hills
- Walnut Park
- Florence-Graham
- Many other CDPs (Census Designated Places)
How to verify: the County maintains a mapping tool, look up the address. If the property has a Los Angeles County mailing address but is not within an incorporated city, it is in unincorporated LA County and covered by the County ordinance.
Coverage and exemptions
The County ordinance generally covers multi-unit residential rentals. Exemptions include:
- Single-family homes (with conditions, but AB 1482 may apply).
- Condos owner-occupied for part of the year.
- Newer construction (under 15 years, rolling).
- Government-subsidized units with specific HUD restrictions.
- Hotels and short-term rentals.
- Religious dormitories, hospital units.
Rent cap
The County ordinance caps annual increases at CPI (typically 3% historically, recent years saw caps in the 3%–8% range). The cap formula is published by DCBA. Two increases per 12 months is the absolute limit. Overcharges are recoverable.
Just cause
After 12 months of tenancy, the landlord must have a qualifying just cause to terminate. The list includes both at-fault grounds (nonpayment, breach, nuisance) and no-fault grounds (owner move-in, substantial remodel, withdrawal). For no-fault, relocation is required.
Relocation
For no-fault terminations, the landlord must pay or waive relocation. Amounts are based on tenant status (senior, disabled, family) and unit size. The County publishes amounts annually. Failure to pay timely is a defense.
Common LA County defenses
- No qualifying just cause stated in the notice.
- Pretextual cause (especially OMI).
- Unpaid relocation.
- Rent overcharge.
- Retaliation (CC § 1942.5 still applies and stacks).
- Failure to comply with County notice requirements.
County vs. LA City vs. AB 1482, quick guide
- City of LA (multi-unit pre-1978): LARSO controls.
- City of LA (other covered units): AB 1482 may apply.
- Unincorporated LA County: County ordinance controls, AB 1482 stacks where applicable.
- Other incorporated cities (West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Inglewood, Pasadena, Glendale, Culver City): Each has its own ordinance, check city-specific rules.
What to do right now
- Verify the property is in unincorporated LA County (not within a city).
- Verify coverage under the County ordinance (multi-unit + age + ownership).
- Check the notice for a qualifying just cause and relocation if no-fault.
- If rent has been raised above the cap, calculate the overcharge.
- File a complaint with DCBA in parallel with any defense work.
Related pages
- Eviction Defense overview
- LARSO (LA City Rent Control)
- AB 1482 Just-Cause
- Owner Move-In Defects
- Pretext / Wrongful No-Fault
- Looking for a Los Angeles eviction defense attorney? Our main tenant defense page covers the full eviction defense playbook.
- Eviction Defense Information Hub: comprehensive topic index for California tenants.
- What Happens After You File Your Answer
- How Long Does an Eviction Case Take in LA
- Neighborhood guides: Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Long Beach, Hollywood, Downtown LA
Frequently asked questions
Does the LA County RSO apply to my unit?
It applies to multi-family rental units (2+ units) in unincorporated areas of LA County. If your address is within the boundaries of any incorporated city (LA City, Long Beach, Santa Monica, etc.), the County RSO does not apply.
What protections does the County RSO offer?
A rent increase cap and just-cause eviction protection. For 2025, the rent cap is the lesser of CPI or 3 percent for fully covered units; certain newer units have different caps.
How is the County RSO different from LARSO?
LARSO covers LA City pre-1978 units. The County RSO covers unincorporated LA County multi-family units. Different geography, similar protective structure.
What are the just-cause categories?
At-fault: non-payment, lease violations, nuisance, illegal use. No-fault: owner move-in, withdrawal from market, demolition or substantial rehab, government order. Each comes with documentation requirements.
What relocation does a no-fault eviction require?
For no-fault evictions under the County RSO, statutory relocation payments. Amounts depend on household composition and unit size.
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