LOS ANGELES — The City Council Wednesday formally approved an ordinance temporarily prohibiting landlords from evicting tenants who have taken in unauthorized occupants or pets displaced by the January wildfires.

What You Need To Know

  • In a unanimous vote, council members voted in favor of the policy, which will be in effect for one year
  • The City Council preliminary approved the ordinance last week
  • Councilwoman Traci Park described the ordinance as a "targeted common sense measure" to keep impacted residents housed while they navigate the recovery process

  • The LA County Board of Supervisors implemented a similar policy for the unincorporated areas impacted by fires, which will be in effect until May 31, 2026

In a unanimous vote, council members voted in favor of the policy, which will be in effect for one year. The City Council preliminary approved the ordinance last week.

Councilman Curren Price recused himself, as he is a landlord.

Under the ordinance, landlords will also be prohibited from raising rent solely on the basis of their tenants having unauthorized occupants or pets.

Councilwoman Traci Park, who represents the Pacific Palisades, introduced the motion last month in a bid to support her constituents who were displaced by the Palisades Fire.

Council members previously instructed the Housing Department to create a standardized form that tenants can use to notify their landlords of new occupants and pets.

According to Park, thousands of Angelenos left their homes in a matter of minutes to escape the Palisades Fire and the neighboring Eaton Fire in Altadena, forcing them to shelter across the city and the region.

"Acts of kindness and compassion should not be punished, and anyone who has opened up their home to provide shelter, peace and security should not have to worry about risking eviction for taking on additional pets or occupants," Park said on Feb. 4.

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The councilwoman described the ordinance as a "targeted common sense measure" to keep impacted residents housed while they navigate the recovery process.

David Kaishchyan of the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles opposed the ordinance, warning that allowing unauthorized pets could pose health risks to other tenants, such as those with allergies or asthma. He also cautioned that some landlords could lose insurance coverage due to the policy.

The LA County Board of Supervisors implemented a similar policy for the unincorporated areas impacted by fires, which will be in effect until May 31, 2026.

Gov. Gavin Newsom previously issued an order prohibiting evictions of tenants who sheltered displaced individuals due to wildfires, though it did not include pets. His directive is set to expire March 8.