Perris city council on Dec. 9 introduced a local ordinance to implement just‑cause eviction protections linked to AB 1482 while adding local provisions that the council said are more protective for tenants in certain respects.

The ordinance as introduced keeps two months’ relocation assistance for qualifying no‑fault evictions but (after member debate) reverts the vesting thresholds to the state standard — meaning just‑cause protection vests when all tenants have lawfully occupied a unit for 12 months or when at least one tenant has occupied for 24 months, rather than the shorter local timeline in the earlier draft.

Why it matters: City staff and supporters said stronger local tenant protections provide stability for renters living paycheck to paycheck and protect vulnerable households; opponents including the California Apartment Association and Inland Valleys Association of Realtors said the proposed local changes layered requirements beyond the state law and risked discouraging investment and harming small “mom‑and‑pop” landlords.

What staff said: Michelle Ogawa, the city’s director of Economic Development and Workforce, summarized edits since an earlier reading: multilingual notices, a reset of the applicability window (staff initially proposed shorter vesting, later adjusted), revision of the at‑fault and no‑fault definitions, and an increase in relocation assistance to two months’ rent for certain no‑fault evictions. Staff recommended that council introduce the ordinance and continue the public process.

Public comments: Tenant advocates such as Luz Gallegos and representatives of community land trusts urged immediate implementation and higher relocation payments in some cases. Industry voices including Victor Cao (California Apartment Association) and Paul Herrera (Inland Valleys Association of Realtors) argued the draft expanded state rules, would create perpetual tenancy in practice and could reduce housing investment.

Council action: Mayor Pro Tem Rapp moved to introduce the ordinance with an amendment reverting the vesting period to state thresholds while retaining two months relocation assistance; Councilman Corona seconded. The motion carried on a 4‑1 roll call: Rapp, Nava, Corona and Vargas — Yes; Vallejo — No.

Next steps: The ordinance was introduced for first reading; staff will return with final edits and findings for future consideration and adoption.