May 29, 2025 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

West Hollywood City Council Approves Emergency Measures to House Fire Evacuees

Temporary Ordinance Allows Lease Flexibility, Extended Hotel Stays, and Fee Waivers

The West Hollywood City Council unanimously approved an emergency urgency ordinance during a special meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. The ordinance is part of the city’s effort to address housing challenges for evacuees and mitigate the fires’ broader impacts and to reach out a helping hand to those in need. 

The ordinance introduces temporary changes to the city’s rental regulations to support individuals displaced by the fires. Key measures include:

  • Lease Flexibility: Suspending the city’s one-year minimum lease requirement for evacuees of the 2025 fires. Leases must be longer than 30 days but can be shorter than one year and may be subject to the City’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO).
  • Hotel Accommodation: Allowing hotels and lodging houses to house fire evacuees for more than 30 days without creating tenancy or triggering obligations under the RSO.
  • Fee Waivers: Waiving business license fees for home-sharing applications and expediting the processing of those applications to increase available housing options.

The ordinance also grants authority to the city manager to allocate resources toward emergency response efforts and authorizes the city attorney to report instances of price gouging to appropriate agencies.

Governor Gavin Newsom has also issued an executive order extending a state of emergency for Los Angeles County. This order includes price-gouging protections for housing, essential building materials, and services related to recovery efforts.

West Hollywood has a long-standing commitment to renter protections, with most rental units falling under the city’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance, which limits annual rent increases for existing tenants to 3%. Residents who suspect their property is subject to the RSO or who have received a rent increase above the allowable limit are encouraged to contact the city’s Rent Stabilization Division at (323) 848-6450 or email rsd@weho.org.

Price gouging during a state of emergency is prohibited under California State Code Section 396. Rent increases and other goods or services exceeding a 10% price hike are considered illegal. Victims of price gouging can file a complaint with the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs at (800) 593-8222 or online.

Related Posts

Levain Bakery Debuts ‘Levain à la Mode’ with Local Ice Cream Partners for Summer

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

Seasonal Offering With Wanderlust Creamery is a First in Cookie Shop’s History For the first time in its three-decade history,...

Beverly Glen Sixth Grader Advances to Finals of National Student Cook-Off

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

Twelve-Year-Old Heads to Virginia to Compete in K12 Culinary Competition Abijah Levy Minor, a 12-year-old student from Beverly Glen, has...

Sarah Paulson to Host Charity Bingo Night for Pasadena Humane Society on June 5

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

Evening of Food, Wine, and Live Music to Raise Funds for Animal Rescue Efforts Emmy-winning actress Sarah Paulson will host...

Bay Cities Italian Deli Responds to Health Code Closure, Commits to Corrective Action

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

Santa Monica Landmark Disputes Rodent Claims but Acknowledges Violations Bay Cities Italian Deli, a Santa Monica staple renowned for its...

Film Review: Bring Her Back

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

By Dolores Quintana Grief is the price of love.  Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou’s second feature film, Bring Her Back,...

Crustacean Launches ‘Little C’ Vietnamese Pop-Up to Celebrate Chef Helene An’s Legacy

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

Three-Day Lunch Series Honors AAPI Heritage Month With Chef’s Personal Recipes Crustacean Beverly Hills will host a limited-run pop-up dining...

Long Beach Pride™ 2025 Celebrates “The Power of Community” with Joy, Visibility, and Unity

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

42nd Annual Waterfront Festival Draws Thousands for a Weekend of Performances Long Beach Pride™ 2025 brought the theme “The Power...

Academy Award Winning Director Sean Baker to Attend Anora Screening in Support of Theater Preservation

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

Acclaimed Director Joins Special Event on May 30 to Help Keep Historic South Bay Cinema Open The independent studio Neon,...

Motorcyclist Killed in Westchester Collision with Vehicle Near Centinela

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

Crash Prompts Hours-Long Investigation of Crash Site of Violent Accident One person was killed Monday evening when a motorcycle collided...

Brentwood Estate Once Owned by Hollywood A-Listers Finds Buyer in One Week

May 27, 2025

May 27, 2025

The 1929 Mediterranean-Style Home Went Under Contract in Seven Days Celebrity pedigree and classic design helped a 1929 Mediterranean-style estate...

GoWeHo TMO Program to Expand Sustainable Transportation Options

May 26, 2025

May 26, 2025

Program Aims to Reduce Ease Traffic Congestion, Reduce Car Use In an effort to reduce traffic congestion and promote environmentally...

West Hollywood to Celebrate Judy Garland Day with Ribbon Cutting, Tribute Panel

May 26, 2025

May 26, 2025

Event Will Honor the Icon’s Birthday With Special Guests From the Garland Family The City of West Hollywood will commemorate...

Over 100,000 Pounds of Illegal Fireworks Seized in Los Angeles County Before July 4th

May 26, 2025

May 26, 2025

Cal Fire, ATF Uncover Massive Stockpile, Urge Residents to Report Incidents More than 100,000 pounds of illegal fireworks were confiscated...

Missing West Hollywood Woman Found Safe, According to the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Department

May 26, 2025

May 26, 2025

Woman Who Was Last Seen on May 19 near Hayworth Avenue Reunited with Family The West Hollywood Sheriff’s Department confirmed...

Hollywood Man Sentenced for $65M COVID Tax Scam Tied to Fake Beverly Hills Farm

May 26, 2025

May 26, 2025

IRS Scam Featuring Fictional Beverly Hills Farm Ends in Prison Term  The Hollywood resident who fabricated a Beverly Hills-based farming...