Effective September 1, 2026, the maximum allowable rent increase for covered rental units and mobilehome spaces in Santa Ana is 2.87% for the 2026-2027 program year. This adjustment, determined by the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance's annual formula, coincides with a reminder from the Rent Stabilization Division for property owners to complete their annual unit registration to avoid financial penalties.
During September 2026, the Rent Stabilization Division issued official reminders to owners of rental units that remained unregistered for the 2026-2027 program year. Compliance with annual registration is mandated under the Rent Stabilization Ordinance. Property owners and managers who received a notice are required to register their unit(s) or claim an exemption immediately to prevent the accrual of financial penalties. To secure compliance, owners must log in to the Rental Registry portal, review unit information, complete pending tasks, and pay applicable fees. Owners claiming an exemption must also ensure their formal exemption requests have been submitted and approved. A Rental Registration User Guide is available to assist users with the updated system.
The 2.87% rent increase limit is applicable through August 31, 2027. This cap is determined by an annual adjustment formula within the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance, which limits annual rent increases to the lesser of 3% or 80% of the change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Property owners subject to the Ordinance are permitted to implement only one rent increase within any 12-month period. All applicable Ordinance requirements, including Rental Registry registration and proper notice requirements, must be fulfilled before a rent increase can take effect. Multilingual notices regarding the allowable rent increase are available from the Rent Stabilization Division.
In related action, the Santa Ana City Council has approved additional funding for the Ayuda Sin Fronteras (“Help Without Borders”) Program. This funding ensures the continuation of emergency financial assistance for households affected by recent immigration enforcement operations. Established in July 2025, the Ayuda Sin Fronteras Program offers a one-time payment of up to one month of housing assistance, covering past-due rent, utilities, or both, for residents financially impacted by detention, deportation, or other immigration-related disruptions. Eligibility requires residents to be referred through a trusted community partner, and while identification is required for all household members, citizenship status will not be requested.
The Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance also establishes a Rental Housing Board to administer and enforce renter protections for Santa Ana tenants. Comprised of seven members appointed by the City Council, with each Councilmember selecting one member for Council approval, the Board currently has two vacancies. Individuals interested in serving on the Board and contributing to the oversight of renter protections are encouraged to apply through the City Clerk’s Office website.
The Rent Stabilization Division continues its public education efforts. Upcoming Tenant’s Rights Workshops are scheduled for October 27, 2026. These workshops provide information on rights and responsibilities under the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance. Dedicated Property Owner/Property Manager Workshops are currently under development and will be announced at a later date. Division staff also engaged with the public at the City’s annual Fiestas Patrias festival on September 12 and 13, 2026, distributing multilingual guides and answering questions. On September 29, 2026, the Division hosted virtual Tenant’s Rights Community Workshops, offering live sessions in English and Spanish covering allowable rent cap limits and eviction protections.
City staff regularly respond to public inquiries concerning the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance and general landlord/tenant issues, with common topics including evictions, allowable rent increases, and the Rental Registry. For residents who believe their owner or property manager may not be in compliance with the Ordinance, or who need assistance interpreting its provisions, the City provides a list of community partners and self-help resources, including Fair Housing Council of Orange County, Community Legal Aid SoCal, Public Law Center, and Latino Health Access. The City advises that it does not recommend or endorse any particular law firm or agency.
