LA County aims to keep people and pets together in rent-stabilized housing

Responding to rising rates of people surrendering their pets to shelters, often due to housing restrictions, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is calling for development of an ordinance aimed at helping people keep animals in rent-stabilized units.

Supervisors Hilda Solis and Lindsey Horvath argued Wednesday in a motion that pets provide significant mental health benefits, but restrictions imposed on animal ownership at housing units are a leading cause of people being forced to giving up their pets.

Citing a 2024 national survey by the American Psychiatric Association, the motion stated that 62% of pet owners reported their pets helped reduce stress and anxiety, and 84% stated that their pets had a positive impact on their overall mental health.

According to the motion, one in four county residents owns a dog or a cat and that housing restrictions — such as weight limits, bans and exorbitant “pet rent” fees — have forced renters to surrender their pets.

In approving the motion, the board directed the Departments of Animal Care and Control and Consumer and Business Affairs to report back in 180 days with a draft Pet-Friendly Housing ordinance for rent-controlled units in the county. The motion recommended that the ordinance include measures such as:

— Requiring residential rental agreements to allow at least one common household pet in a rental unit

— Setting a cap on or prohibiting monthly “pet rent,” pet deposits or similar fees

— Eliminating pet weight restrictions

— Allowing landlords to require a pet “resume” detailing the animal’s medical history and characteristics