San Fernando, Cal., Code of Ordinances ch. 24 § 24-8
Penalties and enforcement
Operative Text
(a) The remedies provided by this chapter are cumulative and in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity. (b) Enforcement of this chapter shall be the responsibility of city manager or his/her designee. In addition, any peace officer or code enforcement official also may enforce this chapter. (c) Any violation of this chapter shall be punishable by administrative citation, or infraction, and subject to fines pursuant to chapter 1 , articles II and III of this Code. (d) A violation of this chapter shall not constitute a misdemeanor; and no violation of any provision of this chapter shall be prosecuted by the city attorney or city prosecutor as a misdemeanor; or remedied by a civil action, including, but not limited to, administrative or judicial nuisance abatement proceedings, civil code enforcement proceedings, and suits for injunctive relief. (e) Causing, permitting, aiding, abetting, or concealing a violation of any provision of this chapter shall also constitute a violation of this chapter. (f) No person shall intimidate, harass, or otherwise retaliate against any person who seeks compliance with this chapter. (g) Any person acting for the interests of itself, its members, or the general public may bring a civil action in any court of competent jurisdiction, including small claims court, to enforce this chapter. Upon proof of the violations, a court shall grant all appropriate relief including awarding actual or statutory damages including court costs and attorney fees, and issuing an injunction or conditional judgement. (h) Enforcement of this chapter is at the sole discretion of the city. Under no circumstances shall the city have any responsibility or obligation to enforce or seek any legal redress, at law or in equity, for any violation of this chapter. Nothing in this chapter shall create a right of action in any person against the city or its agents to compel public enforcement of this chapter against private parties.
San Fernando Code of Ordinances ch. 24 § 24-8 establishes a layered enforcement framework for the city's rent regulations. Violations may be addressed through administrative citations or infractions with fines set by the city's general penalty provisions, but they cannot be prosecuted as misdemeanors or pursued through civil nuisance-abatement actions. Importantly, any person — including tenants, landlords, or advocacy groups — may bring a private civil lawsuit, including in small claims court, to enforce the chapter, with courts authorized to award actual or statutory damages, attorney fees, court costs, and injunctive relief. The city retains sole discretion over whether to pursue public enforcement and bears no obligation to do so.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under San Fernando Code of Ordinances ch. 24 § 24-8 should be aware that enforcement can come from multiple directions: the city manager or designee, peace officers, code enforcement officials, and private parties acting through civil litigation. Compliant operators generally ensure that no one acting on their behalf intimidates, harasses, or retaliates against any person seeking compliance with the chapter, since aiding, abetting, or concealing a violation is itself treated as a violation. Because private civil actions — including small claims court filings — can result in damages, attorney fees, and injunctions, maintaining documented compliance with the chapter's requirements is a common practice among diligent operators.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under San Fernando Code of Ordinances ch. 24 § 24-8, tenants have a meaningful private right of action: any person may file a civil lawsuit, including in small claims court, to enforce the chapter's protections without waiting for the city to act. If a court finds a violation, it is authorized to award actual or statutory damages, court costs, and attorney fees, and may issue an injunction or conditional judgment. Tenants who believe their rights under ch. 24 have been violated may consider contacting a local tenant-rights organization to understand available enforcement paths, including the option of private litigation.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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