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
Final Tier of Late Fees in Effect for Rental Registration
As of December 1, 2025, the next tier of late fees goes into effect for all unpaid registration fees for the current program year. Late fees cannot be waived.
Late Fee Schedule (Per Rental Unit)
• October 1 – October 31, 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
Rental Registry Maintenance in DecemberPlease note that the City’s Rental Registry system will undergo maintenance throughout the month of December 2025. During this time, users may experience brief interruptions when accessing or submitting information. We appreciate your patience as we work to improve system performance and reliability. |
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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Rent Stabilization Division Selects a New Vendor for the City’s Rental Registry
The Rent Stabilization Division is pleased to announce that the City has selected Tolemi as the new vendor for Santa Ana’s Rental Registry system. Our team is currently working with Tolemi to prepare the updated Registry for launch early next year.
This transition reflects the valuable feedback we’ve received from landlords and property managers who have expressed the need for a more intuitive, streamlined, and user-friendly platform. The upcoming Registry will offer an improved interface designed to make compliance easier and more efficient.
We look forward to sharing additional updates soon and appreciate the community’s continued partnership as we work to enhance the Rental Registry experience for everyone.
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Update: Ayuda Sin Fronteras Program Receives Additional Funding
The Santa Ana City Council has approved an additional $150,000 in funding to continue the Ayuda Sin Fronteras (“Help Without Borders”) Program, which provides emergency financial assistance to households impacted by recent immigration enforcement operations.
Established in July 2025, the Ayuda Sin Fronteras Program offers 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.
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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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.
Tenant’s Rights Community Workshops – Virtual Webinars
The City of Santa Ana Rent Stabilization Division, in collaboration with the Santa Ana Unified School District, invites tenants to join our Tenant Rights Community Workshops.
Learn about your rights and responsibilities under the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance. These workshops are designed to help tenants understand how the ordinance affects them and how to ensure their housing stability.
Virtual Webinars – No Pre-Registration Required
Attend from the comfort of your home—simply visit the Community Workshops Webpage on the scheduled date to join the session.
📆 Tuesday, January 20, 2026 | ⏰ Time: 9:00AM (English) / 5:00PM (Spanish)
For the most up-to-date information, visit our Community Workshops Webpage.
| 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
October 2024 to October 2025
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Community Outreach
Pico-Lowell Turkey Giveaway Event – Rent Stabilization Division Participation:
The Rent Stabilization Division attended the 2nd Annual Pico-Lowell Turkey Giveaway on November 19th at Pio Pico Dual Language Academy, connecting with neighborhood residents ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Our team distributed informational flyers on the City’s Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance and answered questions about tenant rights and available support programs. The event brought together families from the Pico-Lowell community to receive a free frozen turkey or voucher, offered on a first-come, first-served basis. It was a warm and meaningful opportunity for our division to engage directly with residents, provide helpful resources, and support a community-centered holiday tradition. |
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Tenant’s Rights Community Workshop – Virtual Webinars: The Rent Stabilization Division, in collaboration with the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD), hosted two Tenant’s Rights Community Workshops on November 17th to help residents better understand their housing rights and protections. These virtual sessions provided valuable information on rent stabilization, just cause eviction requirements, and available City and community resources to support housing stability. Attendees had the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences, and learn how the City can assist in maintaining secure and stable housing. The workshops fostered meaningful dialogue and empowered community members with the tools and knowledge to safeguard their homes. |
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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