West Hollywood Concerned Citizens v. City of West Hollywood

*489Opinion

JOHNSON, J.

—In this case we hold a $48-per-year registration fee imposed on rent controlled units does not necessarily deprive landlords of their constitutionally guaranteed “just and reasonable rate of return.” Accordingly, we affirm the trial court’s rejection of a facial constitutional challenge to that fee.

Statement of Facts and Proceedings Below

In September 1985, the newly created City of West Hollywood (City) enacted a comprehensive rent control program. This program has three key elements.(1) The program imposed an initial maximum level for each unit which is called the “base…