Rental registration and inspections in Santa Ana

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

What Santa Ana's code says

Santa Ana code What Santa Ana's code adds
Fee	Annual Rental Registry Fee for each rental unit, set by City Council resolution and the Miscellaneous Fee Schedule. Applies: Rental units subject to the article. § 8-3161 · code text The amount of the Fee shall be determined by resolution of the City Council adopted from time to time and set forth in the City's Miscellaneous Fee Schedule. Landlord may pass through up to 50% of the fee to tenants, paid in 12 equal monthly installments. Applies: Only after the landlord pays the fee on time; not allowed for tenants in deed-restricted affordable or subsidized housing. § 8-3161 · code text After timely payment of the Rental Registry Fee, the Landlord may pass through up to fifty percent (50%) of the Fee to Tenants of the applicable Rental Unit, to be paid by the Tenant in twelve (12) equal monthly installments.
Penalty	Additional late charges, penalties or assessments set by City Council resolution. Applies: Failure to pay the Rental Registry Fee by October 1 or within 60 calendar days of a mid-year due date. § 8-3161 · code text will be delinquent and shall, in addition to the Fee, pay additional late charges, penalties of assessments as determined by resolution of the City Council.
Registration	Registration required for each rental unit subject to the article. Applies: Initial registration. § 8-3160 · code text A Landlord must file an initial Registration Form with the City for each Rental Unit that is subject to the provisions of this Article. Registration required within 60 days of the change. Applies: Change in ownership; new owner. § 8-3160 · code text The new Owner is required to file a Registration Form with the City within sixty (60) days of such change. Registration amendment required within 60 days. Applies: Change of property manager or authorized agent, or of the owner's or agent's address. § 8-3160 · code text Registration amendments also shall be required to be filed with the City within sixty (60) days of a change of the property management or authorized agent or if the address of the Owner or authorized agent changes. Registration required within 30 days after the vacancy and re-renting. Applies: A rental unit becomes vacant and is re-rented. § 8-3160 · code text A Landlord shall, in the manner described herein, re-register a Rental Unit with the City within thirty (30) days after a vacancy has occurred and the Rental Unit is re-rented. Registration required annually on or before July 1. Applies: Years after the initial registration date. § 8-3160 · code text For the subsequent years after the initial Registration date, each Registration Form and claims of exemption(s) must be annually filed on or before July 1 of each year. Registration required within 30 days of the change in status. Applies: An exempt rental unit loses its exempt status. § 8-3160 · code text Any time a Rental Unit that has been exempted under the provisions of this Article loses its exempt status due to termination of the conditions qualifying it for exemption, the Landlord of such Rental Unit is required to file a Registration Form for said Rental Unit within thirty (30) days of the change in status.

Who this affects

TenantsLandlordsProperty managers

Frequently asked questions

Must landlords register or inspect rental units in Santa Ana?

Santa Ana's code: Annual Rental Registry Fee for each rental unit, set by City Council resolution and the Miscellaneous Fee Schedule. (Rental units subject to the article.) (§ 8-3161); Landlord may pass through up to 50% of the fee to tenants, paid in 12 equal monthly installments. (Only after the landlord pays the fee on time; not allowed for tenants in deed-restricted affordable or subsidized housing.) (§ 8-3161).

Rental registration and inspections in Santa Ana

What Santa Ana's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

Ask about a specific Santa Ana property

More on renting & eviction in Santa Ana