Lemon Grove repeals part of tenants’ rights ordinance

The Lemon Grove City Council on Tuesday repealed the portion of an urgency ordinance that granted tenants 120 days to vacate their apartments.

The amendment brought the ordinance that strengthens tenant protections in alignment with state notification requirements for “no-fault” tenancy terminations, which requires 60-day notice or 90-day notice for low-income recipients.

“After adoption of the urgency ordinance, upon further research and discussion with the city attorney and staff, we discovered that there is a risk,” Interim City Manager Tony Winney said.

The reversal, approved with a 4-1 vote, came amid ongoing division between council members who objected to the original proposal because they said the process was rushed and could create legal risk for the city. Councilmember Yadira Altamirano voted against the change.

After heated debate on the issue, city officials approved urgency legislation that gave tenants 120 days to vacate their apartments for all “no-fault” eviction notices and increased relocation payment requirements.

The ordinance was pushed by Mayor Alysson Snow, a housing rights attorney, who said stronger protections for renters were necessary after local landlords bent substantial renovation rules to clear out longtime renters.

But as city leaders have continued to discuss local housing protections with the goal of establishing a permanent ordinance, disagreements increased. Two council members walked out during the council’s last meeting, citing concerns that the mayor had a conflict-of-interest.

Debate between city leaders and community members on the issue has underscored confusion around existing state housing laws and local rules.

Further, Councilmembers Seth Smith and Yadira Altamirano said they believed state law could have already provided strong enough oversight and protection for renters.

The city is holding public workshops on March 24 and April 9 with the goal of gathering input from the community and stakeholders for a permanent ordinance and educating the public on existing tenants’ rights.