Eviction Moratoriums Rescinded After Landlords Threaten Lawsuits

While a statewide eviction moratorium is still in place, the example of Upland in Southern California suggests that local eviction moratoriums might not withstand legal controversies.

1 minute read

April 21, 2020, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


California

SevenMaps / Shutterstock

"In a complete reversal, the Upland City Council this week repealed its ordinance that protected commercial and residential tenants from evictions during the novel coronavirus pandemic," reports Steve Scauzillo.

"Out of 127 California cities and counties that have passed such measures, Upland and one other, the city of Duarte in eastern Los Angeles County, have rescinded eviction moratoriums, according to data compiled by the California Apartment Owners Association."

Upland city officials made the decision to rescind after lawyers for local landlords sent a letter threatening to sue the city over the eviction moratorium approved on March 31. 

"A letter from attorney Douglas J. Dennington says his clients, which include owners of several large apartment complexes in the city, will incur millions of dollars in losses from non-payment of rents and that they will sue the city to recover lost revenues and legal fees," reports Scauzillo.

Upland tenants are not entirely without protections, however. The state of California still has an eviction moratorium in place, with backing from the state's Judicial Council. The article describes the potential for local governments to encounter a "legal morass" when duplicating or expand the statewide moratorium. Even the League of California Cities is choosing not to advise cities on what tenant protection policies to enact during the pandemic.

Friday, April 17, 2020 in Daily Bulletin

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

"Altadena - Not For Sale" yard sign in front of burned down house after Eaton Fire in Altadena, California in January 2025.

Half of Post-Fire Altadena Home Sales Were to Corporations

Large investors are quietly buying up dozens of properties in Altadena, California, where a devastating wildfire destroyed more than 6,000 homes in January.

July 7 - Dwell

Dense multistory residential buildings in hilly San Francisco, California.

Opinion: What San Francisco’s Proposed ‘Family Zoning’ Could Really Mean

Mayor Lurie is using ‘family zoning’ to encourage denser development and upzoning — but could the concept actually foster community and more human-scale public spaces?

July 7 - The San Francisco Standard

Blue self-driving Ford Transit van shuttle in Jacksonville, Florida.

Jacksonville Launches First Autonomous Transit Shuttle in US

A fleet of 14 fully autonomous vehicles will serve a 3.5-mile downtown Jacksonville route with 12 stops.

July 7 - Smart Cities Dive

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA