News and Updates
Sign up to receive important updates on the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance by clicking the link below.
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Rent Stabilization Program Updates
Avoid Late Fees: Complete Registration by October 1, 2025
Rental unit registration fees for the City’s Rent Stabilization Program are due by October 1, 2025. To avoid late charges and penalties, all outstanding registration fees (including fees from prior years) must be paid by this date.
If payment is not received by October 1, late fees will be applied according to the following schedule:
Late Fee Schedule (Per Rental Unit)• October 1 – October 3, 2025: 8.2% • November 1 – November 30, 2025: 18.2% • December 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026: 28.2% Late fee rates are updated each program year. |
For detailed information about rental unit registration, please visit our FAQs
If you need help completing your property registration, you can contact us at (714) 667-2209 or via email at rso@santa-ana.org. Live assistance is also available in our office by walk-in or appointment at: 801 W. Civic Center Dr., Suite 200, Santa Ana, CA 92701
You can also access the Rental Registry directly to get started.
| Rental Registry (RR) | Contact Us | RR User Guide |
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City of Santa Ana Launches Ayuda Sin Fronteras Program to Assist Residents Affected by Immigration Enforcement
The City of Santa Ana has established Ayuda Sin Fronteras (“Help Without Borders”), an emergency financial assistance program for residents impacted by immigration enforcement actions. Approved by City Council on July 1, 2025, the program sets aside $100,000 to provide eligible households with up to one month’s worth of housing expenses to cover past-due rent and utility bills.
Who Qualifies?
- Renters living in Santa Ana
- Households with past due rental and/or utility arrears.
- Households impacted by immigration enforcement actions (e.g., detention or deportation of a household member)
- Household income at or below Moderate-Income limits (see table below)
Moderate-Income Limits:
| Family Size | Maximum Income | Family Size | Maximum Income |
| 1 | $114,750 | 5 | $177,000 |
| 2 | $131,000 | 6 | $190,100 |
| 3 | $147,500 | 7 | $203,250 |
| 4 | $163,900 | 8 | $216,350 |
How to Apply:
The program is referral-based only.
- Referral – A partner community organization refers your household and co-signs your application.
- City Contact – Staff will reach out by phone/email with the application link or to set up an appointment.
- Complete Application – Choose one option: Online: Apply through the Neighborly portal (requires email and internet access). In-Person Help: Call (714) 565-2655 or email ayudasinfronteras@santa-ana.org for an appointment.
- Status Updates – You’ll be notified if more documents are needed and when your application is approved.
| Ayuda Sin Fronteras Webpage |
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2025-26 Maximum Allowable Rent Increase Announcement
The maximum allowable rent increase for the period September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026, is:
2.42%
According to the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, which reports changes to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the CPI increased by 3.02% from May 2024 through May 2025 (as shown in Table 1). The Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance requires the maximum allowable rent increase to be the lesser percent of either 3% or 80% of the CPI change. Since 80% of the change in CPI through May 2025 is less than 3%, the allowable rent increase for the period effective September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026, will be 2.42%.
Please use the links below for further information on the calculation of the maximum allowable increase, as well as further instructions on how property owners may apply the increase depending on when their last increase was applied.
| Notice of Allowable Rent Increase – English | Notice of Allowable Rent Increase – Spanish | Notice of Allowable Rent Increase – Vietnamese |
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Upcoming Community Events
Join us to learn about your rights and responsibilities under the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance (RSJCEO). Our staff will be attending local events to assist tenants and landlords in understanding the ordinance and how it impacts housing stability.
More Workshops Coming Soon:
We’re also developing more workshops and events to address the topics that matter most to you. If there’s a subject you’d like us to cover or revisit, we’d love to hear your suggestions! Stay tuned to future newsletters for updates on upcoming opportunities to learn, connect, and engage with us. Together, we can build a more informed and empowered community.
| Community Workshops Webpage |
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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
July 2024 to July 2025
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Community Outreach
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SAUSD Back to School Resource Fairs:
The Rent Stabilization Division participated in the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) Back to School Resource Fairs this month, connecting with families and community members at Heroes Elementary on August 20th, Santiago Elementary on August 21st, and Saddleback High School on August 28th. At these events, our team provided information on rental housing resources, including guidance on tenant rights, registration, and available support programs. Families and attendees engaged with our staff, asking questions and learning how to access services to support safe and stable housing. |
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Community Workshop on Ayuda Sin Fronteras:
Our team was proud to present at the recent Ayuda Sin Fronteras community workshop, a program that provides financial assistance and resources to Santa Ana families affected by immigration enforcement actions. The event offered us a valuable opportunity to provide clarification on the program’s application process and answer the community’s questions and concerns directly. We were able to assist residents one-on-one as they began their application process, with laptops and iPads available for immediate use. We remain committed to supporting our community through programs like Ayuda Sin Fronteras. If you have any further questions about the application or eligibility, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at ayudasinfronteras@santa-ana.org. |
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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 through an equitable random lottery process. The Board includes:
- Three (3) Tenants, including at least one (1) Mobilehome Tenant;
- Two (2) Landlords with rental property experience; and
- Two (2) At-Large Members with no financial interest in or ownership of income-generating rental housing (e.g., an owner-occupant of a single-family home).
Currently, there are three (3) vacancies on the Board. If you or someone you know is interested in serving your community by contributing to the oversight of renter protections and housing policies, 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!
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Know Your Rights
If you believe the owner or property manager of your rental unit or mobile home 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:
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Fair Housing Council of Orange County 2021 E. 4th Street, Suite 122 Santa Ana, CA 92705 Phone: 714-569-0823 Option 4 |
Community Legal Aid SoCal 2101 North Tustin Avenue Santa Ana, CA 92705 Phone: 714-571-5200 |
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Public Law Center 601 Civic Center Drive West Santa Ana, CA 92701 Phone: 714-541-1010 x 303 |
Latino Health Access 450 W 4th Street Santa Ana, CA 92701 Phone: 714-542-7792 |
Seek Mediation Services
Mediation is a voluntary collaborative process wherein the landlord and tenant(s) who have a disagreement can develop options, consider alternatives, and develop a consensual agreement. The role of the Mediator is to facilitate open communication to resolve a dispute in a non-adversarial and confidential manner.
Contact us to access mediation services in collaboration with our community partner Groundswell.
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.
Contact Us:801 W. Civic Center Drive Suite 200 Santa Ana, CA 92701 Email: rso@santa-ana.org Tel: (714) 667-2209 Fax: (714) 547-5411 |
Quick Links: |
If you have any difficulty connecting with the links in this Newsletter, enter the following website address into an internet browser to explore the City’s website – www.santa-ana.org/renter-protections