West Hollywood Likely to Extend Residential Eviction Moratorium

On September 20, 2021, the West Hollywood City Council considered extending Los Angeles County’s Temporary Eviction Moratorium that is due to expire on September 30, 2021, by passing an ordinance adopting the provisions in the County’s ordinance that do not relate to non-payment of rent.  The County ordinance currently prohibits evictions based on nuisance, unauthorized occupants and pets whose presence are necessitated by COVID, a renter’s denial of entry to an owner, and no-fault evictions including owner move-in except in limited circumstances.

By a unanimous motion, the staff was instructed by City Council to research and draft an ordinance for West Hollywood that would extend the Los Angeles County Temporary Evictions Moratorium provisions that are unrelated to non-payment of rent through January 31, 2022.

Mayor Meister specifically stated that the City’s pursuit of the extension is specifically due to COVID-19.  AAGLA does not believe that this extension is legal given the preemptions contained in Assembly Bill 832.  AAGLA submitted a letter to the full City Council prior to the meeting opposing the extension.  It is likely that the draft ordinance will be presented to the City Council during their next meeting on October 4, 2021.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will be meeting on September 28, 2021 to discuss extending the County’s Temporary Eviction Moratorium until January 31, 2022.  If the County extends their moratorium, then West Hollywood may not pass its own ordinance as they have been deferring to the County’s ordinance.

AAGLA will continue to strongly oppose any extension of the eviction moratorium in West Hollywood and Los Angeles County and stay actively engaged on this issue.