(a) 
Initial Registration.
(1) 
Registration Required. A landlord must register every rental unit unless the rental unit is specifically exempt under this title. Registration is complete only when all required information has been provided to the city and all outstanding fees and penalties have been paid.
(2) 
After Terminated Exemption. When a rental unit that was exempt from this title on September 15, 1985 becomes governed by this title for the first time, the landlord must register the unit with the city within thirty days after the exemption ends.
(b) 
Reregistration. When a rental unit is rerented after a vacancy, the landlord must reregister the unit with the city within thirty days after the rerental.
(c) 
Annual Registration. The Commission may in its discretion require annual registration of all units if deemed necessary to effectuate the purposes of this title.
(d) 
Registration Amendment; Landlord Required to notify City of Changed Registration Information. A landlord must file a registration amendment with the city within thirty days of a change in a rental unit's ownership or management, or a change in the owner's or manager's contact information.
(e) 
Violations. Violations of this section are subject to the administrative penalty provisions of Sections 1.08.030 through 1.08.070 of this code; provided, however, that before a penalty will be assessed, a landlord is served by regular, first class mail with a notice of deficiency providing no less than fifteen days in which to come into "substantial compliance" with this section as that term is defined in subsection (b) of Civil Code Section 1947.7.
(Prior code § 6407(a); Ord. 85-59 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-59U § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79 § 1, § 6, 1985; Ord. 85-79U § 1, § 6, 1985; Ord. 85-84U § 5, 1985; Ord. 87-135 § 6, 1987; Ord. 87-135U § 6, 1987; Ord. 87-168 § 1, 1987; Ord. 89-236 § 1, 1989; Ord. 89-236U § 1, 1989; Ord. 91-282 § 2, 1991; Ord. 91-311 § 2, 1991; Ord. 91-315 §1, 1991; Ord. 95-449U § 5, 1995; Ord. 99-548 § 73, 1999; Ord. 02-637U § 1, 2002; Ord. 02-638(R) § 1, 2002; Ord. 05-714 § 1, 2005; Ord. 23-13 § 5, 2023)
(a) 
Initial Registration Form. The initial registration must be on a form provided by the city and must show:
(1) 
The name and address of the landlord;
(2) 
The address of the landlord's rental unit or units;
(3) 
The base rent as defined in Section 17.08.010(2);
(4) 
If rented on or after January 1, 1996, the rent charged at the inception of the tenancy;
(5) 
The housing services provided for the rental unit on the date the base rent was established for all units rented before January 1, 1999 and the housing services provided for the rental unit at the inception of the tenancy for all units rented on or after January 1, 1999;
(6) 
The amount of security deposits or other payments demanded in addition to the periodic rent for the unit;
(7) 
The date on which the landlord assumed ownership of the rental unit; and
(8) 
Other information deemed relevant by the Commission.
(b) 
Reregistration Form. When a rental unit is vacated and rerented on or after January 1, 1996, the landlord must, within thirty days of the rerental, reregister the unit by filing a completed reregistration on a form provided by the city.
(c) 
Registration Amendment Form. A landlord's notification to the city of a change in ownership, management, or contact information must be on a form provided by the city.
(d) 
Section 8 Units. No later than thirty days after each new Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher tenancy or contract begins, the landlord must file a Special Registration for Section 8 Tenancies on a form provided by the city. The landlord shall provide on the special registration form:
(1) 
The landlord's name and address;
(2) 
The rental unit's street address and mailing address;
(3) 
The base rent as defined in Section 17.08.010(2)(i) or Section 17.08.010(2)(j);
(4) 
The housing services provided for the rental unit as of the inception of the Section 8 contract;
(5) 
The amount of security deposit or other monies demanded in addition to rent;
(6) 
The date on which the landlord assumed ownership of the rental unit; and
(7) 
Any other information deemed relevant by the Commission.
If a Section 8 Contract is cancelled, the landlord must complete and file a Re-Registration Following Section 8 Contract form provided by the city. The completed form must be filed with the city no later than thirty days after the Section 8 contract is cancelled.
(Prior code § 6407(b); Ord. 85-59 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-59U § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79 §§ 1, 6, 1985; Ord. 85-79U §§ 1, 6, 1985; Ord. 85-84U § 5, 1985; Ord. 87-135 § 6, 1987; Ord. 87-135U § 6, 1987; Ord. 87-168 § 1, 1987; Ord. 89-236 § 1, 1989; Ord. 89-236U § 1, 1989; Ord. 91-282 § 2, 1991; Ord. 91-311 § 2, 1991; Ord. 91-315 §1, 1991; Ord. 95-449U § 5, 1995; Ord. 99-548 §§ 6, 7, 54, 1999; Ord. 02-637U § 2, 2002; Ord. 02-638(R) § 2, 2002; Ord. 03-650U § 5, 2003; Ord. 05-714 § 1, 2005)
(a) 
Generally. Upon registration and annually thereafter, the landlord must pay the city a registration fee for each rental unit under his or her ownership. The purpose of the fee is to reimburse the city for administrative costs associated with administering this title. The amount of the fee is determined by resolution of the City Council.
(b) 
Pass-Through to Tenants. The amount of the registration fee, if any, that a landlord may pass through to a tenant is determined by resolution of the City Council. If the City Council determines that part of the registration fee may be passed through to tenants, the pass-through must be in the form of a rent surcharge prorated over a twelve-month period. No fee may be passed through if it has not actually been paid by the owner, and the fee may not be passed through until the owner completes the registration requirements. Penalty or late fees for failure to register may not be passed through to tenants. The registration fee may be waived by regulation.
(1) 
No Pass-Through for Section 8 Tenants. No portion of the registration fee may be passed through to tenants whose tenancy is governed by a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program contract. But the landlord does not have to pay to the city the portion of registration fees that the landlord could pass through to the tenant but for this subsection.
(Prior code § 6407(c); Ord. 85-59 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-59U § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79 §§ 1, 6, 1985; Ord. 85-79U §§ 1, 6, 1985; Ord. 85-84U § 5, 1985; Ord. 87-135 § 6, 1987; Ord. 87-135U § 6, 1987; Ord. 87-168 § 1, 1987; Ord. 89-236 § 1, 1989; Ord. 89-236U § 1, 1989; Ord. 91-282 § 2, 1991; Ord. 91-311 § 2, 1991; Ord. 91-315 § 1, 1991; Ord. 95-449U § 5, 1995; Ord. 99-548 § 23, 1999; Ord. 03-650U § 6, 2003; Ord. 05-714 § 1, 2005)
(a) 
Annual General Adjustments Prohibited. A landlord is ineligible to impose an annual general adjustment for a rental unit that is not registered or reregistered as required by this chapter. The difference between the rent that the landlord was entitled to collect and the amount actually collected as the result of an annual general adjustment for which a landlord is ineligible is an illegal rent overcharge.
(b) 
Annual General Adjustments Permitted Upon Compliance. A landlord may prospectively apply any annual general adjustment denied as the result of non-compliance with registration or reregistration requirements if the landlord:
(1) 
Fully complies with the registration and reregistration requirements;
(2) 
Pays to the city any unpaid registration fees and penalties that are not barred by the statute of limitations; and
(3) 
Pays any affected tenant the difference between the lawful rent and the illegally overcharged rent that the landlord collected during the period of non-compliance, except that no tenant may recover overcharges collected more than three years before the filing date of a re-registration form or a rent adjustment application by the tenant to recover the overcharges, whichever is earlier.
(Prior code § 6407(d); Ord. 85-59 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-59U § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79 §§ 1, 6, 1985; Ord. 85-79U §§ 1, 6, 1985; Ord. 85-84U § 5, 1985; Ord. 87-135 § 6, 1987; Ord. 87-135U § 6, 1987; Ord. 87-168 § 1, 1987; Ord. 89-236 § 1, 1989; Ord. 89-236U § 1, 1989; Ord. 91-282 § 2, 1991; Ord. 91-311 § 2, 1991; Ord. 91-315 § 1, 1991; Ord. 95-449U § 5, 1995; Ord. 99-548 § 43, 1999; Ord. 02-637U § 3, 2002; Ord. 02-638(R) § 3, 2002; Ord. 05-714 § 1, 2005; Ord. 12-886 § 1, 2012)
(a) 
Initial Registration Required. No later than January 1, 2023, a landlord must register every rental unit located in a structure that was first occupied after July 1, 1979 and for which a certificate of occupancy was first issued after July 1, 1979, or any single-family residence, condominium, cooperative or other residential rental unit which is separately alienable, unless the rental unit is specifically exempt under this title. Registration is complete only when all required information has been provided to the city and all outstanding fees and penalties have been paid.
(b) 
Reregistration. Effective January 1, 2023, when a rental unit subject to subsection (a) of this section is rerented after vacancy, the landlord must reregister the unit with the city within thirty days after the rerental.
(c) 
Registration Amendment. A landlord subject to this section must file a registration amendment with the city within thirty days of a change in a rental unit's ownership or management, or a change in the owner's or manager's contact information.
(d) 
Registration Procedures. The information provided pursuant to this section shall be established by regulation of the Commission.
(e) 
Registration Fee. For any property subject to this section, upon registration and annually thereafter, the landlord must pay the city a registration fee for each rental unit under his or her ownership. The purpose of the fee is to reimburse the city for administrative costs associated with administering this title. The amount of the fee is determined by resolution of the City Council.
(1) 
The amount of the registration fee, if any, that a landlord may pass through to a tenant is determined by resolution of the City Council. If the City Council determines that part of the registration fee may be passed through to tenants, the pass-through must be in the form of a rent surcharge prorated over a twelve-month period. No fee may be passed through if it has not actually been paid by the owner, and the fee may not be passed through until the owner completes the registration requirements. Penalty or late fees for failure to register may not be passed through to tenants. The registration fee may be waived by regulation.
(2) 
No portion of the registration fee may be passed through to tenants whose tenancy is governed by a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program contract. But the landlord does not have to pay to the city the portion of registration fees that the landlord could pass through to the tenant but for this subsection.
(f) 
Violations. Violations of this section are subject to the administrative penalty provisions of Sections 1.08.030 through 1.08.070 of this code; provided, however, that before a penalty will be assessed, a landlord is served by regular, first class mail with a notice of deficiency providing no less than fifteen days in which to come into "substantial compliance" with this section as that term is defined in subsection (b) of Civil Code Section 1947.7.
Editor's Note: Prior Section 17.28.050, Notification to Tenants of Landlord's Failure to Register, was noted as "intentionally left blank" by Section 4 of Ordinance 02-638(R). The prior ordinance history for this section is; Ord. 02-637U § 4, 2002; Ord. 99-548 § 74, 1999; Ord. 95-449U § 5, 1995; Ord. 91-315 § 1, 1991; Ord. 91-311 § 2, 1991; Ord. 91-282 § 2, 1991; Ord. 89-236 § 1, 1989; Ord. 89-236U § 1, 1989; Ord. 87-168 § 1, 1987; Ord. 87-135 § 6, 1987; Ord. 87-135U § 6, 1987; Ord. 85-84U § 5, 1985; Ord. 85-79 §§ 1, 6, 1985; Ord. 85-79U §§ 1, 6, 1985; Ord. 85-59 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-59U § 1, 1985; prior code § 6407(e))
(Ord. 22-1177 § 9, 2022; Ord. 23-13 § 6, 2023)
(a) 
At the beginning of every tenancy subject to the limits on rents governed by this title, the landlord shall give each tenant a copy of a notice that includes the following information: that the property is subject to the provisions of the Rent Stabilization Ordinance of the City of West Hollywood; that a copy of the ordinance and information about the maximum allowable rent that may be charged for each unit may be obtained from the Department of Rent Stabilization; the Department's telephone number; and the following statement: "This property is also subject to Chapter 17.52 of the City of West Hollywood Rent Stabilization Ordinance, which includes, but is not limited to, the protections related to eviction and the prohibition against tenant harassment."
(1) 
The notice shall be printed in English, Spanish, and Russian. Notices including the required translations shall be provided by the Department and shall be given to landlords upon request.
(2) 
The landlord may satisfy the requirements of this subsection by including the notice in an addendum to the tenant's written lease.
(b) 
In addition to delivering the notice required by subsection (a), above, to each tenant at the beginning of their tenancy, for buildings of five or more units the landlord shall also post a notice including the same information.
(1) 
The posted notice required by this subsection must be conspicuously displayed in a common area where it is reasonably likely to be seen by every tenant living at the property as well as every person visiting the property as a prospective tenant. The notice may be posted in the same place, and on the same document, as the notice of emergency telephone numbers required by Section 17.56.010(h)(4). The posted notice shall also state: "This property is also subject to Chapter 17.52 of the City of West Hollywood Rent Stabilization Ordinance, which includes, but is not limited to, the protections related to eviction and the prohibition against tenant harassment."
(2) 
The posted notice shall be printed in English, Spanish, and Russian. Notices including the required translations shall be provided by the Department and shall be given to landlords upon request.
(c) 
For all buildings of any size, the landlord shall deliver to each tenant a copy of the notice described in subsection (a) simultaneously with any notice imposing an annual rent adjustment authorized by the Commission. Delivery of this notice is in addition to the notice required at the beginning of the tenancy. The notice shall be printed in English, Spanish, and Russian, and may be provided on a form provided by the Department.
(d) 
If a building of five or more units is exempt pursuant to Section 17.24.010(a)(4) from the limits on rents imposed by this title, the landlord shall post a notice conspicuously displayed in a common area where it is reasonably likely to be seen by every tenant living at the property as well as every person visiting the property as a prospective tenant as follows:
(1) 
For buildings that have been issued a certificate of occupancy within the previous fifteen years, the notice shall state: "The rental units at this property are exempt from the limits on rents imposed by the City of West Hollywood Rent Stabilization Ordinance and Civil Code Section 1947.12. This means that, upon the expiration of any lease, the property owner may increase the unit's rent by an amount greater than the Rent Stabilization Ordinance or Civil Code Section 1947.12 would otherwise allow. This property is subject to Chapter 17.52 of the Rent Stabilization Ordinance, including, but not limited to, the protections related to eviction and the prohibition against tenant harassment."
(2) 
For buildings that have been issued a certificate of occupancy that is more than fifteen years old, the notice shall state: "The rental units at this property are subject to California Civil Code Section 1947.12 that limits rent increases. This property is also subject to Chapter 17.52 of the City of West Hollywood Rent Stabilization Ordinance, including, but not limited to, the protections related to eviction and the prohibition against tenant harassment."
(3) 
The notice required by this subsection shall include the Department's phone number.
(4) 
The posted notice shall be printed in English, Spanish, and Russian. Notices including the required translations shall be provided by the Department and shall be given to landlords upon request.
(e) 
A property owner's failure to comply with the provisions of this section is subject to the administrative penalty provisions of Sections 1.08.030 through 1.08.070 of this code.
(Prior code § 6407(f); Ord. 85-59 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-59U § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79 §§ 1,6, 1985; Ord. 85-79U §§ 1, 6, 1985; Ord. 85-84U § 5, 1985; Ord. 87-135 § 6, 1987; Ord. 87-135U § 6, 1987; Ord. 87-168 § 1, 1987; Ord. 89-236 § 1, 1989; Ord. 89-236U § 1, 1989; Ord. 91-282 § 2, 1991; Ord. 91-311 § 2, 1991; Ord. 91-315 § 1, 1991; Ord. 95-449U § 5, 1995; Ord. 99-548 § 24, 1999; Ord. 04-676 § 1, 2004; Ord. 05-714 § 1, 2005; Ord. 21-1155 § 3, 2021)
(a) 
No permit shall issue under this code until a landlord has obtained an approved tenant habitability plan as set forth in Section 17.30.020 when the Director of Rent Stabilization or their designee finds that:
(1) 
The permit sought is for the purpose of altering, repairing or rehabilitating any property containing one or more dwelling units pursuant to Chapter 13.28, 13.32, 13.36 or 13.40 of this code;
(2) 
The permit sought is for work at the property that will cause any occupied residential rental dwelling unit to be uninhabitable under the housing, health, building, or safety laws of the State of California or the City of West Hollywood;
(3) 
The permit sought is for work at a property where the landlord has engaged in any of the conduct enumerated in subsection (b) of Section 17.52.090 of this title within a prior twelvemonth period;
(4) 
The permit sought is for any remodel, which shall be defined as any improvement to more than one dwelling unit or the common area(s) at a multi-family residential rental property within a twelve-month period that would materially increase rental value in a normal market; or
(5) 
The permit sought is for work that will result in all elevators being inoperative for more than seventy-two consecutive hours.
(b) 
The Director or their designee may waive the requirement of subsection (a) upon a finding that the work will be performed in a manner that will not require any mitigation measures; provided, however, that the Director or their designee may require a tenant habitability plan at any time during the permitted work if there is a material change in the scope or impact of the work.
(c) 
One approved tenant habitability plan may be relied upon by the landlord for the issuance of multiple permits pursuant this chapter, provided said permits relate to the same land use approval.
(Ord. 18-1047 § 10, 2018; Ord. 21-1155 § 4, 2021)
(a) 
A tenant habitability plan shall include the following information:
(1) 
Property address and parcel number;
(2) 
Landlord's name, address, telephone number and email address;
(3) 
Contact person for the project, if different from landlord, including name, address, telephone number and email address;
(4) 
The name, address, telephone number and email address of the general contractor and, in the case of abatement or disruption of hazardous material, including lead or asbestos, contractor for the abatement of hazardous material;
(5) 
Whether the work is being undertaken in response to a government order or mandatory program;
(6) 
Estimated construction start and completion dates; and
(7) 
A detailed description of the work to be performed at the property, organized sequentially, including, but not limited to, identification of:
(i) 
Impacted units,
(ii) 
Common area impacts,
(iii) 
Noise levels,
(iv) 
Utility interruptions,
(v) 
Potential exposure to hazardous materials, (vi) Interruption of fire or security systems,
(vii) 
Disruption of tenant services,
(viii) 
Interruption of accessibility to individual units, common areas, or parking, and
(ix) 
Any other information as may be determined by the Director or their designee in order to ensure a complete record of the scope of proposed work.
(b) 
Prior to approval by the Director or their designee, the tenant habitability plan shall include the following mitigation measures to be implemented by the landlord during the period of work covered under the plan:
(1) 
A specific plan for accommodating relocated tenants pursuant to Section 17.52.110 when the conditions at the property render a tenant's rental unit uninhabitable, which shall include verification that the landlord has the necessary financial resources to provide any required relocation benefits and that adequate provision will be made for the orderly, timely and efficient relocation of displaced tenants;
(2) 
Identification of measures that will be adopted to protect the personal property of tenants;
(3) 
Identification of measures that will be adopted to protect the health and safety of tenants from hazardous materials, construction materials, utility interruptions, fire and security system outages and unauthorized entry onto the property;
(4) 
Alternative parking accommodations as follows:
(i) 
If the work will interfere with tenant parking between the hours of 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., the landlord shall provide parking at an alternative location within a reasonable distance of the property, or
(ii) 
If the work will interfere with tenant parking outside the hours of 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. only, the landlord shall provide a reimbursement to tenants for the purchase of street parking permits; and
(5) 
Any other mitigation measures required by the Director or their designee to ensure the health and safety of tenants, continued provision of tenant amenities, quiet enjoyment, and protection of tenant property.
(Ord. 18-1047 § 10, 2018; Ord. 21-1155 § 4, 2021)
(a) 
The tenant habitability plan shall be approved or denied no more than ten business days after its submission.
(b) 
A tenant habitability plan may be denied when a landlord has failed to substantially comply with the requirements of Section 17.30.020.
(c) 
If the habitability plan is denied, the landlord shall be provided, either personally, by email or by first class mail, with a "Notice of Tenant Habitability Plan Deficiencies." Said notice shall set forth the grounds for the denial and provide guidance and suggestions for obtaining compliance with the requirements of this chapter. A landlord may submit an amended tenant habitability plan at any time, subject to the approval process set forth in this section.
(d) 
The Director or their designee may require further revisions and approvals to any approved tenant habitability plan upon a finding that an approved tenant habitability plan fails to adequately mitigate impacts to tenants, or that the scope of a project has changed such that its impacts are no longer adequately mitigated by an existing plan subject to the approval procedure set forth in subsections (a) through (c) of this section.
(Ord. 18-1047 § 10, 2018; Ord. 21-1155 § 4, 2021)
(a) 
The landlord shall serve on each affected tenant by posting on the door of the dwelling unit and first class mail an approved habitability plan no less than ten days prior to the start of permitted construction, unless the plan includes tenant relocation, in which case the plan shall be served no less than thirty days prior to the start of permitted construction. The plan served on each tenant shall only include personal information related to the notified tenant.
(b) 
The landlord shall also comply with and serve the following upon the affected tenants contemporaneous with service of the habitability plan:
(1) 
A statement that notice of interruption of services, including, but not limited to, gas, electricity, water, phone, cable, internet, laundry, parking or elevators during the permitted construction period shall be preceded by written notice to each impacted tenant detailing the service to be interrupted and the estimated time of restoration of the service no less than twenty-four hours prior to interruption of the service;
(2) 
A statement that construction being undertaken at the property will not terminate any tenancy;
(3) 
The telephone number and email address for the landlord's representative authorized to respond to tenant inquiries, complaints and requests during the construction period;
(4) 
A statement in minimum 14 point type containing the contact information for the Department of Rent Stabilization; and
(5) 
Any other information that the Director determines is necessary due to the unique circumstances of the permitted construction.
(c) 
The landlord shall post a notice at or near all tenant entrances to the structure that includes the approximate dates of the permitted construction, the contact information required under subsection (b)(3) of this section and the phone number for the Department of Rent Stabilization.
(d) 
The service and notification requirements stated in this section may be modified by the Director upon good cause shown by the landlord that strict compliance would adversely impact the health, safety or welfare of any tenant.
(e) 
The landlord shall provide the Department of Rent Stabilization with proof of service of an approved habitability plan within five days of service upon tenants.
(Ord. 18-1047 § 10, 2018; Ord. 21-1155 § 4, 2021)
Fees for review of tenant habitability plans pursuant to this chapter shall be established by resolution of the City Council.
(Ord. 18-1047 § 10, 2018; Ord. 21-1155 § 4, 2021)
(a) 
A landlord may appeal:
(1) 
The Director's determination pursuant to subsection (a) of Section 17.30.010 requiring production of a tenant habitability plan;
(2) 
The Director's determination pursuant to subsection (b) of Section 17.30.010 requiring production of a tenant habitability plan based on a finding of a material change in the scope or impact of the work;
(3) 
The Director's determination pursuant to subsection (b) of Section 17.30.030 denying a tenant habitability plan;
(4) 
The Director's determination pursuant to subsection (d) of Section 17.30.030 finding that an approved tenant habitability plan fails to adequately mitigate impacts to tenants, or that the scope of a project has changed such that its impacts are no longer adequately mitigated by an existing plan; or
(5) 
The Director's determination pursuant to subsection (b) of Section 17.30.070 ordering work stopped.
(b) 
Any appeal pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be filed within ten business days of the date of the Director's determination.
(c) 
The Director's determination may be appealed on the grounds that it is clearly in error or constitutes an abuse of discretion.
(d) 
The appeal shall be heard by a hearing examiner within thirty calendar days of the filing of the appeal and shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures and principles set forth in Sections 60075 through 60088 of the Rent Stabilization Regulations, except that the hearing examiner shall make their written decision within thirty days of the close of the hearing.
(Ord. 21-1155 § 4, 2021)
(a) 
Any landlord who violates any of the provisions of this chapter or who does not correct violations in compliance with the requirements of this chapter is subject to the administrative penalty provisions of Sections 1.08.030 through 1.08.070 of this code. Each day or portion thereof wherein the violation is committed, continued, or permitted constitutes a separate and distinct violation.
(b) 
The Director or their designee may order work stopped if a landlord has failed to comply with any provision of this chapter or the terms of an approved tenant habitability plan and may prohibit that work recommence until: (i) the landlord comes into compliance with this chapter; (ii) the landlord comes into compliance with the terms of an approved tenant habitability plan; or (iii) the landlord obtains approval of a revised tenant habitability plan as required by Section 17.30.030(d).
(c) 
The penalties provided herein shall not be deemed to preclude any other remedy which may be available under any provision of law.
(Ord. 18-1047 § 10, 2018; Ord. 21-1155 § 4, 2021)