Harassment and lockouts in West Hollywood: the local rules

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

What West Hollywood's code says

West Hollywood code What West Hollywood's code adds
Penalties	A fine of up to $1,000, up to 6 months in County Jail, or both. Applies: A criminal conviction for violating the harassment rules. § 17.52.090 · code text Any person who is convicted of violating this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of not greater than $1,000 or by imprisonment in the County Jail for not more than six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Actual damages or $10,000 in statutory damages, whichever is greater, plus punitive damages, attorneys' fees and costs. Applies: A civil violation of the harassment rules. § 17.52.090 · code text Any person or entity violating any of the provisions of this section is liable for each and every such offense for actual damages suffered by the aggrieved party, or for statutory damages in the sum of $10,000, whichever is greater, and for punitive damages, and shall be liable for attorneys' fees and costs. An extra $5,000 in statutory damages for each offense. Applies: The harmed tenant was a senior citizen or disabled when the harassing conduct occurred. § 17.52.090 · code text Any person or entity violating any of the provisions of this section is liable for additional statutory damages in the sum of $5,000 for each and every such offense if the aggrieved party is a senior citizen or disabled tenant when any of the harassing conduct occurred.
Tenant lawsuits	Yes; anyone, including the city, may sue to enforce these rules. § 17.52.090 · code text Any person, including the city, may enforce the provisions of this section by means of a civil action.
Prohibited acts	Engaging in harassment of a tenant, including reducing or eliminating housing services; reducing maintenance or failing to timely complete necessary repairs; abusing access to the rental unit; abusive or threatening conduct; misrepresenting or concealing facts to induce vacancy; discrimination; improper threats or attempts to recover possession; interfering with use, enjoyment, privacy, organizing, or agency assistance; refusing lawful rent; disturbing possession; coercive construction or renovations; habitability-plan violations; barring tenant entry; soliciting sexual conduct; immigration or citizenship inquiries or disclosures; and bad-faith rent increases to coerce vacancy. Applies: With respect to property used as a rental unit under any rental agreement or other tenancy or estate at will, and with intent to vex, annoy, injure, or intimidate a tenant § 17.52.090 · code text Harassment includes, but is not limited to, the following conduct done with an intent to vex, annoy, injure, or intimidate a tenant:

The California rule underneath

CA state law Underneath, California law still applies. Lockouts and self-help eviction banned: A landlord may not change locks, remove doors or windows, or remove the tenant's belongings to force a tenant out (Civ. Code § 789.3(b)). Utility shutoffs banned: A landlord may not cut off water, heat, electricity, gas or other utilities to force a tenant out (Civ. Code § 789.3(a)). Tenant harassment and lockouts in California — the full state rule →

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Harassment and lockouts in West Hollywood

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What West Hollywood's code says

The California rule underneath

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