Victory Alert: Claremont Passes Equitable Anti-Harassment Ordinance
Victory Alert
Claremont Passes Equitable Anti-Harassment Ordinance
By Janet M. Gagnon
Chief Corporate Affairs Officer & SVP, Government Relations
On March 27th, the Claremont City Council voted unanimously to pass a new anti-harassment ordinance that would protect all parties, landlords and renters, from wrongful harassment. This is the first ordinance in the Southland to fairly recognize that rental housing providers should receive protection against wrongful harassment by renters as well as renters from other renters. Also, the ordinance includes several additional actions specific to rental housing providers that are now prohibited. The ordinance applies to ALL rental housing, including all multifamily, single-family, condominiums and accessory dwelling unit and goes into effect on June 26, 2025.
This equitable approach to preventing harassment is something AAGLA has long fought for this first of its kind, balanced harassment ordinance. Thanks to our members who turned out and spoke during the listening sessions held by the city who made this victory possible. When members directly engage with their local officials, hearts and minds are changed!
The new ordinance now prohibits several forms of harassment relevant to all parties, including:
- Threats by word or gesture with physical harm.
- Disclosing or threatening to disclose immigration or citizenship status for any reason except as required by court order.
- Repeated intentional acts or omissions of such significance to interfere with or disturb the quiet of the occupant (whether renter or onsite owner).
AAGLA had strongly advocated for the prohibition against posting of personal information on social media. Unfortunately, the City Council failed to include it prior to passing the ordinance. However, the ordinance contains some drafting errors, so we are hopeful that when these errors are addressed that this additional provision may be added.
There are also several additional forms of harassment based on actions of rental housing providers that are now prohibited under Section 8.35.020 Tenant Harassment. We urge all rental housing providers to familiarize themselves with these new prohibitions and seek legal counsel for additional guidance.
AAGLA strongly urged the City Council to avail themselves of mediation rather than introducing any anti-harassment ordinance to avoid the chilling effect that it will have on open and amicable communication between renters and rental housing providers in resolving daily living issues. However, the City Council believed that an ordinance was necessary to address complaints that were brought forward by tenant activists, including Claremount Housing/Inland Abundant Housing (a regional chapter of Abundant Housing LA).
This article is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions regarding your property or specific leasing issues and the requirements of any legal changes described herein, please consult with an attorney.