Exceptions for Short Term House Rentals
Built into Measure H is section 1805 that is named “Additional Homeowner Protections” that may allow for an owner of a single family home or condominium to successfully rent their property for a fixed term of under 12 months and NOT be liable for the extraordinarily expensive relocation costs created by the Pasadena Rental Housing Board after Measure H passed.
The general process means that you can create a ‘temporary tenancy’ that includes language in the initial lease that the term is fixed and for less than 12 months and that no relocation fees will be paid. There are limits to the allowed number of these tenancies (one per 36 months) and it is unclear how this will impact those owners operating short term rentals like airbnb businesses.
While the language specifically states ‘Single Family Home’ there appears to be a need to clarify if this includes condominiums and townhomes that are individually owned. In the definitions section of Measure H, single family homes are defined as: Single-Family Home. A detached building containing a single residential dwelling unit separately alienable from any other dwelling unit.
The language in the City website is shown below and available by clicking here:
Section 1805. - ADDITIONAL HOMEOWNER PROTECTIONS.
In addition to the Rental Units exempted in Section 1804(a) of this Article (Fully Exempt), the following Rental Units are also fully exempt from this Article:
(a) A homeowner who is the primary resident of a Single-Family Home may create a temporary tenancy. The temporary Tenant must be provided, in writing at the inception of the tenancy, the length of the tenancy, to last no longer than twelve (12) months, and a statement that the tenancy may be terminated and relocation shall not be provided. A homeowner may not create such temporary tenancies for more than a total of twelve (12) months in any thirty-six (36) month period.
(b) A Tenancy where the Tenant shares a bathroom or kitchen with the homeowner shall be exempt from this Article if the home is the Primary Residence of the homeowner.
(Sec. 1805 added by vote of the people 11-8-2022 .)
