MOORPARK : City’s Rent-Control Ordinance Is Upheld

A state appeal court Tuesday upheld the city of Moorpark’s rent-control ordinance designed to prevent owners of mobile home parks from dramatically raising rents in a given period.

The 3-0 decision by the Ventura-based 2nd District Court of Appeal means that Moorpark can continue to regulate the rent that park owners charge new tenants once mobile homes are sold.

The city restricts rent increases to 5% or the consumer price index--whichever is less--over any 12-month period. It also allows just two rent increases every five years.

Villa del Arroyo Mobile Home Park on Los Angeles Avenue sued Moorpark over the rent-control ordinance in February, 1989.

Park owner Dale Williams contended the ordinance interfered with his ability to conduct business and amounted to a physical taking of his property without due compensation.

Moorpark repealed the ordinance in December, 1989, in response to a U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeal ruling in Williams’ favor.

But in a different case last year, the U.S. Supreme Court held that rent controls do not constitute a physical taking of property.

That decision led Moorpark to reinstate the ordinance. Williams then mounted a petition drive that forced a general election on the issue in April, and Moorpark voters overwhelmingly approved the measure.

In May, Williams agreed to adhere to terms of the ordinance after tenants complained to city officials that he was ignoring it.

Williams could not be reached for comment Tuesday.