Pasadena Security Deposit Rules: What the Fair and Equitable Housing Charter Amendment (Measure H) Adds to California Law

A landlord in Pasadena has to satisfy two sets of rules at once: the California statute, Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5, and the city's own Fair and Equitable Housing Charter Amendment (Measure H) (Pasadena Charter art. XVIII § 1806(f)). The state law sets the 21-day return deadline after the day the tenant moves out; the local ordinance adds rules on deposit cap, rent cap and relocation assistance. Where the two overlap, the landlord has to meet the stricter one.

What the Fair and Equitable Housing Charter Amendment (Measure H) adds

• Deposit cap: A property owner may not increase the security deposit as a condition of continued tenancy. (Charter sec. 1806(f))
• Rent cap: Rent on covered units may be raised only once every 12 months with 30 days' written notice; the annual general adjustment effective October 1, 2025 is 2.25%. (Charter art. XVIII)
• Relocation assistance: No-fault evictions require a base relocation payment (by tenancy length and unit size) plus moving allowance and special-circumstances payment, with 50% due within ten days of the termination notice and the balance at least 28 days before the notice expires. (Charter art. XVIII)
• Other local rule: Landlords must give a Notice to New Tenants and post a Rental Board notice on the property. (Charter secs. 1806(e), 1807(c))

Who it covers: Rental units subject to the Charter Amendment's rent control (base rent rolled back to May 17, 2021 rent); exemptions for single-family homes and other Costa-Hawkins categories per city FAQ.
Worth knowing: The rules above come from the Rent Stabilization Department's official FAQ; the Charter text itself was not read for this page. The relocation dollar schedule is published separately by the department.

What California law already requires

• Return deadline: 21 days after the day the tenant moves out.
• Itemized deductions: required in writing. Itemized statement with copies of receipts or invoices for any repair or cleaning charge over $125; since 2025 landlords must photograph the unit at move-in and move-out to support deductions.
• Forwarding address: not a statutory condition of getting the deposit back.
• Penalty for wrongful withholding: For bad-faith retention the tenant may recover statutory damages of up to twice the deposit, on top of actual damages.
• Deposit cap: One month's rent (two months for qualifying small landlords) under AB 12, effective July 1, 2024.
• Small claims limit: $12,500.
• Statute: Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5.

Using both rules together

1. Read the lease for the deposit amount, the move-in date, and any clause that mentions the ordinance.
2. Check the local rule first: deposit cap under Pasadena Charter art. XVIII § 1806(f), then rent cap and relocation assistance.
3. Count the California deadline of 21 days from the day the tenant moves out.
4. A written demand that cites both Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5 and Pasadena Charter art. XVIII § 1806(f) carries more weight than one that cites either alone. For bad-faith retention the tenant may recover statutory damages of up to twice the deposit, on top of actual damages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does Pasadena require interest on security deposits?
A: The Fair and Equitable Housing Charter Amendment (Measure H) does not add an interest rule, so California law governs. Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5 does not require interest on deposits.

Q: Is the Pasadena deposit return deadline different from California law?
A: No. The Fair and Equitable Housing Charter Amendment (Measure H) does not change the return deadline, so the California rule applies: 21 days after the day the tenant moves out under Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5.

Q: Does the Fair and Equitable Housing Charter Amendment (Measure H) apply to my unit?
A: Rental units subject to the Charter Amendment's rent control (base rent rolled back to May 17, 2021 rent); exemptions for single-family homes and other Costa-Hawkins categories per city FAQ. Check the section cited below for the full list of exemptions before relying on it.

Q: Can I sue my landlord in small claims court for my California deposit?
A: Yes. California small claims court hears claims up to $12,500, which covers most deposits plus the statutory penalty. A dated written demand that cites Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5 is the usual first exhibit.

Sources Checked

• Pasadena City Charter art. XVIII secs. 1806(e)-(f), 1807(c), Fair and Equitable Housing Charter Amendment (Measure H): official page, read 2026-09-20
• Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5 (the California statute cited above)
• LeaseLenses California deposit data set, last reviewed 2026-09-19; the same data powers the California demand letter tool
• California landlord-tenant overview and the California deposit rules page

This page is general legal information for Pasadena, California, not legal advice. Local ordinances are amended more often than state statutes; read the current code text before relying on a figure in court.