Pasadena’s Fast-Track Rental Program Ends April 11, but Key Safety Gaps Remain

Pasadena’s temporary fast-track program for wildfire-related smoke, ash, and soot complaints in certain rental properties is set to end on April 11, 2026, and urges tenants in the eligible area north of the 210 and west of Sierra Madre Boulevard to request inspections before the deadline. Under the program, if a complaint qualifies, the landlord or property owner must hire an environmental consultant or certified industrial hygienist to inspect the unit and identify needed remediation, after which City Code Compliance does a reinspection. After April 11, or outside the covered area, complaints can still go through Pasadena’s standard wildfire inspection process, but not the temporary fast-track route. Read more about the smoke/ash/soot complaints in Pasadena rental properties here.

Unfortunately, the Pasadena ordinance does not go far enough to give renters a meaningful path to recovery. Because the City does not require pre-remediation testing for contaminants like lead and asbestos, there is no clear basis for determining the proper licensure or scope of work. As a result, a unit may be cleaned for visible wildfire debris while microscopic carcinogenic particles remain behind. Without the right expertise, protocols, and equipment, a rental unit can remain toxic even after remediation.

That is one more reason AB 1642 must pass. It requires pre- and post-remediation testing for lead and asbestos to help determine both the proper remediation approach and whether a property is truly safe for clearance. It also requires DTSC to establish thresholds for a broader range of contaminants.