L.A. Mun. Code ch. XV art. 1; ch. XVI art. 5 § 151.35
SEVERABILITY (Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance and Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance)
Operative Text
(Added by Ord. No. 188,071, Eff. 1/24/24.) If any provision of this chapter is found to be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, that invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions of this chapter which can be implemented without the invalid provisions, and to this end, the provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable. The City Council hereby declares that it would have adopted this chapter and each provision thereof irrespective of whether any one or more provisions are found invalid, unconstitutional or otherwise unenforceable.
Section 151.35 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code establishes a severability rule for the rent regulations chapter, meaning that if any single provision is struck down or declared invalid by a court, the rest of the chapter remains in effect and enforceable. The rule reflects a legislative design choice to keep the broader regulatory framework intact even when individual parts face legal challenges. Courts interpreting this chapter are directed to treat each provision as independently viable wherever possible.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under L.A. Mun. Code § 151.35, compliant operators generally continue to follow all other provisions of the rent regulations chapter even if a specific rule within it is successfully challenged in court. Because the chapter is designed to function with any one part removed, operators typically do not treat a legal ruling against one provision as relieving obligations under the remaining rules. Staying current with any court decisions affecting specific provisions helps property managers understand which requirements remain operative.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 151.35 means that a court ruling invalidating one part of Los Angeles's rent regulations chapter does not automatically eliminate protections found elsewhere in the same chapter. Tenants who believe a landlord is violating a provision that has not been struck down may still raise that violation as a defense in a proceeding or file a complaint with the Los Angeles Housing Department. Tenant-rights organizations can help clarify which provisions remain in force following any legal developments under L.A. Mun. Code ch. XVI art. 5.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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