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Pasadena · Renting & eviction

Relocation payments in Pasadena

City rule: good-standing, income-eligible tenants get 2½ months of HUD fair market rent for demolition, market removal and other listed causes; half for move-ins.

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Key points

  • Relocation pay: City rule: good-standing, income-eligible tenants get 2½ months of HUD fair market rent for demolition, market removal and other listed causes; half for move-ins.

Each rule below links to the section of the Pasadena Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Pasadena's code says

Pasadena code What Pasadena's code adds
Amount
  • 2½ months of HUD fair market rent for a similar-size unit.
    Applies: Good-standing tenants in households at or below 140% of median income; demolition, market removal, owner/family move-in, government order, ownership change; landlord pays half for move-ins.
    § 9.75.060 · code text
    A. For all tenants in good standing living in households at or below 140% of the median income, by household size, landlord shall pay a relocation allowance equal to two and one-half (2½) months fair market rents as established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD") for a rental unit of a similar size.
  • The base amount rises 10% for each year after year 10, up to 200% of the base by year 20.
    Applies: Income-eligible tenants in good standing (at or below 140% of median income) who have rented 10 or more years in a row.
    § 9.75.060 · code text
    For each year after the 10th anniversary, the amount of the base relocation allowance shall be increased by 10%, and shall increase each year thereafter until reaching the maximum of 200% of the base relocation allowance on the 20th anniversary of the tenancy.
  • Half of the usual relocation and moving expense allowance.
    Applies: When the landlord or a family member will move in.
    § 9.75.060 · code text
    In this circumstance, the amount of relocation and moving expense allowance which landlord is obligated to pay to the tenant shall be equal to one-half of the relocation allowance and moving expense allowance provided for in this chapter.
  • 2 times the HUD fair market rent for a studio.
    Applies: Per person, for students, faculty or staff in school-provided housing with separate roommate leases, if the tenancy ends over 365 days after leaving the school.
    § 9.75.060 · code text
    (i) Relocation allowance—Twice the HUD fair market rent for a studio unit; and (ii) Moving expenses—$1,200.00.
  • $1,200.00 for moving expenses.
    Applies: Per person, for students, faculty or staff in school housing on roommate leases ending over 365 days after leaving school; adjusted yearly by CPI.
    § 9.75.060 · code text
    (i) Relocation allowance—Twice the HUD fair market rent for a studio unit; and (ii) Moving expenses—$1,200.00.
Exemptions
  • Evictions for breaking the express or implied terms of a lawful rental agreement.
    § 9.75.040 · code text
    A. The requirements set forth in this chapter shall not apply to any tenant whose tenancy is terminated based on any violation of the express or implied terms of a lawful rental housing agreement entered into between the landlord and the tenant.
  • Units made unlivable by an earthquake or other natural disaster.
    § 9.75.040 · code text
    B. The requirements set forth in this chapter shall not apply if rental unit is rendered not habitable as a result of an earthquake or other natural disaster.
  • Evictions because the tenant damaged the unit so badly it became unlivable.
    § 9.75.040 · code text
    C. The requirements set forth in this chapter shall not apply if the eviction is a result of the tenant having caused such physical damage to the unit, that the unit is not habitable.
  • No permanent allowance; 2 times daily rent per day of temporary housing, no rent owed, plus actual moving and storage.
    Applies: Temporary moves to comply with state or city housing, health, building or safety laws, or under a government order to vacate.
    § 9.75.070 · code text
    the landlord shall not be required to pay the relocation allowance as defined in this chapter, but shall provide temporary relocation benefits to the displaced tenant as provided for in this section.
When relocation is owed
  • Demolition.
    § 9.75.060 · code text
    1. Demolition. A landlord or property owner seeks to recover possession of the unit for purpose of demolition.
  • Permanently removing the unit from the rental market.
    § 9.75.060 · code text
    2. Permanent Removal of Unit from the Rental Market. The landlord seeks to remove the rental unit permanently from the rental housing market.
  • The landlord or a family member moving in.
    § 9.75.060 · code text
    3. Occupancy by Landlord or Landlord's Family Member. The landlord seeks to vacate the rental unit for the sole purpose of making the unit available for occupancy by the landlord or a family member of the landlord.
  • Government order to vacate, comply, abate, or other order requiring vacancy because of a significant or extended housing, health, building, or safety violation resulting in constructive eviction
    § 9.75.060 · code text
    4. Government Order to Vacate. The landlord seeks to recover possession of the rental unit in order to comply with a governmental agency's order to vacate, order to comply, order to abate, or any other order that necessitates vacating the rental unit as a result of a significant or extended violation of housing, health, building or safety laws of the state of California or the City of Pasadena which would result in a constructive eviction.
  • A change in ownership, then within 18 months an ending of the tenancy, an eviction or a large rent increase.
    Applies: A large rent increase means more than CPI plus 5% within the 12 months before the notice.
    § 9.75.060 · code text
    5. Change in Ownership. There is a change in ownership of the rental unit and, at any time within 18 months of the change in ownership, the landlord notifies the tenant that at some specific date after the change in ownership, the tenant's tenancy is being terminated, the tenant is being evicted, and/or there is going to be a large rent increase.

The California rule underneath

Where Pasadena's rule above does not cover a situation, state law still applies. For the statewide rule on its own, see Relocation under California's just-cause law.

CA state law The statewide rule underneath
No-fault eviction relocation assistance
One month's rent (as relocation payment or rent waiver), paid within 15 calendar days of the notice
Applies: For no-fault just causes (owner move-in, withdrawal from market, substantial remodel, government order) on covered units; regardless of the tenant's income.
Civ. Code § 1946.2(d)(3)(A)

Who this affects

TenantsLandlordsProperty managers

Frequently asked questions

Does a Pasadena landlord have to pay relocation?

City rule: good-standing, income-eligible tenants get 2½ months of HUD fair market rent for demolition, market removal and other listed causes; half for move-ins.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Pasadena property

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More on renting & eviction in Pasadena

All renting & eviction rules in Pasadena

Rent increases in Pasadena

Notices in Pasadena

Relocation under California's just-cause law

Pasadena Municipal Code — full text