Just Cause Eviction Protections Edge Forward In This Riverside County Town

PERRIS, CA — The Perris City Council voted 4-1 to advance a proposed ordinance expanding local eviction controls in the city at the Dec. 9 council meeting. During the meeting, the council had a second reading of its Just Cause Eviction protections, which currently apply after a tenant has lived in a unit for at least 12 months, or 24 months if additional occupants were added after the original tenancy began.

The new ordinance seeks to change that by expanding renters' rights.
The proposed Perris Ordinance would allow Just Cause Eviction protections to begin after 12 months of tenancy and 6 months after any additional occupants are added. It would expand documentation requirements, requiring landlords to submit police reports or other proof for some at-fault evictions. It would add translation requirements for eviction notices when the original lease was negotiated in a language other than English.

The provision requires certain at-fault evictions involving criminal activity or criminal threats against the landlord to be supported by documentation, such as a police report. It would also require translation of eviction notices when a lease was negotiated in a language other than English. Finally, it would require relocation assistance for no-fault evictions equal to two months’ rent, or a waiver of one month’s rent and relocation assistance worth one month’s rent.

According to the California Apartment Association, local Just Cause Eviction ordinances are rare.

"Palm Springs is currently the only city within Riverside and San Bernardino Counties with a local just cause of eviction ordinance in place," the CAA said in a recent report. "For rental housing providers, the proposal underscores the importance of early engagement in local policymaking, particularly in communities that have not historically pursued expanded eviction controls."

The city allowed a public hearing to introduce the ordinance, which addresses just-cause eviction protections under AB 1482. Nine members of the public and one written public comment were heard from the Inland Valley Association of Realtors.

Paul Hererra of that association voiced opposition to the proposed ordinance at the meeting.

"We didn't all come together on that effort to nudge the ball down the field a few feet. That place was AB 1482, and that was meant to last. We ask you to go back to the proposal from Nov. 18."

Mirabel Nunez asked the council to "ask that you vote yes, with the current amendments, and with compromises."