Attorney General Bonta Applauds Move by Pasadena City Council to Come Into Compliance with SB 9

City Council unanimously approves draft ordinance at first reading on Monday 

OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued the following statement on the City of Pasadena’s proposed ordinance implementing Senate Bill (SB) 9. Pasadena’s proposed ordinance, which would replace and supersede the City’s prior urgency ordinance, is the result of collaboration between the California Department of Justice’s Housing Strike Force and the City of Pasadena. The Pasadena City Council conducted its first reading of the proposed ordinance last night.

“Our Housing Strike Force is committed to working with local governments as partners to address California’s housing shortage and affordability crisis,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Pasadena’s proposed ordinance, first considered by the City Council last night, is a reflection of our successful collaboration with the City and an important step forward. We appreciate the City for working with us on this issue, and we hope the City Council will move swiftly to approve the ordinance in the days ahead.”

On March 15, 2022, Attorney General Bonta sent a letter to Pasadena expressing concern with the legality of the City’s SB 9 urgency ordinance, which includes a broad definition of a “landmark district” untethered to historic resources. Pasadena’s proposed ordinance, if approved in its current form, addresses these concerns by incorporating the higher state and federal standard for “historic districts”, thereby preventing neighborhoods in Pasadena from arbitrarily declaring themselves "landmark districts" and exempting themselves from SB 9 compliance. 

Attorney General Bonta is committed to advancing housing access, affordability, and equity in California. In November, Attorney General Bonta announced the creation of the Housing Strike Force and launched a Housing Portal on DOJ’s website with resources and information for California homeowners and tenants. The Housing Strike Force encourages Californians to send complaints or tips related to housing to housing@doj.ca.gov. Information on legal aid in your area is available at lawhelpca.org.