Lomita: No Local Rent Control, For Now

Lomita has no local rent control today, but in 2019 it passed an emergency ordinance to stop renovation evictions. Here's what applies to Lomita landlords now, including the SB 567 remodel rules.

Part of my city-by-city series. See every LA County city side by side →

In late 2019, tenants in an eight-unit building in Lomita received renovation notices giving them 60 days to move. It was just weeks before the state's new Tenant Protection Act took effect, and the city stepped in.

"The Friendly City"

Lomita incorporated in 1964, partly to stop annexation by neighboring cities and partly to limit high-rise apartments. It's small, under two square miles.

What happened in 2019

Before AB 1482 took effect on January 1, 2020, some owners around California moved to clear buildings before the new rules started. In Lomita, the city adopted a temporary urgency ordinance blocking those evictions until state law took over. It served as a bridge, then expired.

What applies today

Lomita has no local rent control, no local just cause ordinance, and no rent registry. AB 1482 governs: 8.7% max in LA County for increases effective August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027, and just cause after 12 months.

The renovation rules now

A substantial remodel can still be a no-fault reason to end a tenancy in Lomita, but it's much harder than it was in 2019. Since SB 567 (April 1, 2024):

• The work must require permits and require the tenant to be out at least 30 days.

• Cosmetic work like paint and flooring doesn't qualify.

• The notice must describe the work, include copies of the permits, and tell the tenant how to notify you if they want to return.

• Relocation of one month's rent is owed.

The lesson

A city without its own ordinance can adopt one quickly when something happens. Lomita did it in weeks. No local rules today doesn't promise no local rules tomorrow.

Your Lomita checklist

• 8.7% max through July 31, 2027.

• Just cause after 12 months.

• Remodel: permits first, then a compliant notice, then relocation.

• Keep an eye on City Council agendas.

Next up

Tomorrow, the big one: the City of Los Angeles.

This article and video are for general educational purposes only and are not legal, tax, or financial advice. Tony Self is a licensed California real estate broker (DRE #01906720) with Harcourts Hunter Mason Realty, not an attorney, and reading this does not create a client relationship. Rent control and eviction laws change often and vary by city and county. Figures are current as of September 2026. Consult a qualified California landlord-tenant attorney about your specific property.