Woodland Park Management, LLC v. City of East Palo Alto Rent Stabilization Board

Opinion

BRUINIERS, J.

—In 1988, the citizens of the City of East Palo Alto adopted by popular vote the Rent Stabilization and Eviction for Good Cause Ordinance (E. Palo Alto Ord. No. 076; RSO). We are asked here to determine whether the RSO permits recovery of attorney fees by a landlord in successful litigation against the City. The trial court held that it does and awarded fees to the landlord. We hold that it does not and reverse the award.

I. Factual and Procedural Background

In 2008, Woodland Park Management, LLC (Woodland Park), which manages residential rental properties subject to the…