PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA - The Long Beach City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to move forward an extension of an emergency ordinance that halts evictions for residential and certain commercial tenants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are seeing the unprecedented economic impacts that this pandemic is having on our residential and commercial tenants in Long Beach,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “The extension of this emergency ordinance provides relief to those who are most at risk of eviction and possible homelessness during this challenging time.”

The amendment extends the current eviction moratorium and rent deferment period for an additional 60 days, to July 31, 2020. Protected tenants will have until July 31, 2021, to pay all delayed rent to landlords without incurring late charges and other fees. Tenants are encouraged to establish a payment plan to make installments of deferred rent over the repayment period. 

If a tenant is unable to pay rent between March 4 and July 31, 2020, due to a reduction in income caused by COVID-19, they must notify their landlord that rent will not be paid on time. Tenants are required to provide documentation of substantial income losses caused by job layoffs, out-of-pocket medical expenses or requirements to stay at home due to COVID-19.

Through July 31, 2020, landlords issuing rental nonpayment notifications must include information about the City’s emergency ordinance to ensure that tenants are aware of their rights.

The amendment does not apply to large commercial tenants that are multi-national or publicly traded companies and companies with 500 or more employees, tenants at the Long Beach Airport, tenants in the Harbor or tenants in the Tidelands areas. The City and its commissions will work with these tenants on a case-by-case basis to address COVID-19-related impacts and negotiate appropriate rent deferments or other accommodations accordingly. 

The final ordinance will be heard by the City Council on May 26 and would go into effect immediately if approved by the City Council and signed by the Mayor.

Additionally, the City Council is exploring various assistance options for property owners who have been impacted by COVID-19, including foreclosure relief, property tax refunds, and the possibility of a revolving loan fund.

The City Council first adopted an emergency eviction moratorium on March 24, 2020 amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

View the City’s Resources for Homeowners, Renters, and Landlords.

For the latest information on COVID-19, with details on all that the City of Long Beach is doing to keep our residents safe, visit: longbeach.gov/COVID19 and follow @LongBeachCity on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.