Lemon Grove holds workshop on tenant protections as residents report unsafe conditions and urge stronger relocation aid

City staff and residents met at a Lemon Grove community workshop to discuss potential local tenant-protection measures, including tighter rules on "substantial remodel" evictions and larger relocation payments.

City Attorney Kristen Stanky summarized the California Tenant Protection Act of 2019 and the types of no-fault terminations it allows. She told attendees that under state law landlords pursuing a no-fault termination for substantial remodels must follow standards such as performing major mechanical, electrical or plumbing work and removing tenants for at least 30 consecutive days; failure to comply can render a termination notice void. "Under state law, that's one month of rent," Stanky said of the relocation assistance that landlords must provide, adding that many jurisdictions have adopted higher payments and stricter definitions.

Lemon Grove's temporary urgency ordinance, Stanky said, already requires enhanced relocation payments for covered no-fault terminations: one month of actual rent plus one month of fair-market rent, with larger payments for households that are low-income, elderly, disabled or include minor children. The ordinance is temporary and remains subject to extension, amendment or repeal.

Staff framed several options for public feedback: tighter definitions of what qualifies as a "substantial remodel," tiered relocation payments by income, age or property size, requiring notice to the city when termination notices are issued, regulating buyout agreements, and a local right-to-return for tenants after temporary displacement.

Multiple residents raised specific complaints about a local complex, Sarah Grove, saying units have been left vacant, stop-work signs posted by inspectors were ignored, and building conditions have deteriorated. One resident described the effects on daily life: "When I come home from work, the smell is horrendous," and another said management "made us all afraid to even report anything." City staff said they had received notice that work may be proceeding at some Sarah Grove units despite stop-work orders and that inspectors will review the sites and coordinate with management and the city attorney if enforcement is needed. "We have received notice today that possibly some of the units over at Sarah Grove have stopped work orders posted ... we're inspecting those units and working with the management company," City Manager Tony Winnie said.

Attendees and policy participants suggested several protective measures: a statutory right to return tenants to renovated units, requiring tenant-habitability plans for on-site renovations, permit-monitoring or flags for bulk permit applications, and using independent relocation-service agencies to handle sensitive tenant eligibility information. A representative of the Southern California Housing Association cautioned that overly broad restrictions could raise costs and reduce the viability of necessary upgrades, pointing to higher insurance and capital costs for older buildings.

Staff acknowledged limits on local data: eviction and unlawful-detainer filings are often sealed or lack the specific fields cities would need for aggregate policy analysis, so much evidence remains anecdotal unless registries or additional reporting rules are adopted. To collect more data, staff noted, some jurisdictions use rental registries or require landlords to file notices with the city.

No ordinance was adopted at the workshop. Staff said they will present workshop feedback to the planning commission on April 22, return to the city council with the planning commission's input on May 19 to request direction, and — if directed — bring a draft ordinance to council on June 2. The city asked residents and landlords to complete a survey being collected that lists the options discussed.

The workshop closed with an invitation to future public hearings and encouragement for residents to participate in the planning commission and city council meetings where staff will present draft language and recommendations.