The Los Angeles Post

BOARD APPROVES RENTAL PROTECTIONS AND TEMPORARY SHORT-TERM RENTAL MEASURES FOLLOWING WILDFIRES

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LOS ANGELES, CA January 21, 2025 – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution to strengthen protections for renters and expand short-term rental availability in response to this month’s catastrophic wildfires. These measures are designed to address the urgent housing needs of those displaced by the disaster, while maintaining the County’s commitment to preventing homelessness and safeguarding housing availability.

“As we face one of the most devastating natural disasters in Los Angeles County’s history, we must act with urgency to protect and support those displaced—and the Angelenos supporting them—from the threat of eviction,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. “This motion ensures that displaced residents have immediate access to housing, while safeguarding tenants who open their homes to others in need. We are taking essential steps to provide a foundation for the long-term recovery of impacted residents and to stabilize our communities.”

The proclamation includes the following directives:

  • Eviction Protections for Tenants Providing Shelter: Renters in unincorporated who temporarily house individuals or pets displaced by the fires are shielded from eviction based on lease technicalities.
  • Temporary Adjustments to Short-Term Rentals: Restrictions on short-term rentals have been eased to expand housing availability for fire victims. This includes permitting multiple listings, allowing the use of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and vacation rentals, and removing the 90-night cap for unhosted stays. Again, this applies to those displaced by this month’s wildfires.

County resources and information available now:

  • Disaster Recovery Centers: Open at 9AM at UCLA Research Park West and Pasadena City College.
  • Price gouging victims, including current or prospective renters, should report to the California Attorney General at oag.ca.gov/report or contact the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs at (800) 593-8222, or stoppricegouging.dcba.lacounty.gov, for assistance.
  • Mental Health resources, from the Department of Mental Health, can be found at dmh.lacounty.gov/ or through the Disaster Distress Helpline, which operates 24/7 at 1-800-985-5990 to offer free crisis counseling. Find help also at Disaster Recovery Centers.
  • Public health information continues to be updated by the Department of Public Health at publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Wildfire. The Local Health Emergency remains in place, as well as the emergency order prohibiting the use of leaf blowers. It is critical to wear PPE, including N95 masks, if entering a burn area and/or handling/disrupting ash and soot. Masks are being handed out at all reentry points and LA County Libraries.