Pasadena, TX · Harris County · ~154,000 Population · Second-Largest City in Harris County · No Rent Control · Texas Gov. Code §214.902 · Houston Ship Channel Petrochemical Complex · LyondellBasell Huntsman Arkema · San Jacinto College 60,000+ Enrolled · Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base SCRA · Harris County JP Precinct 6 · No Deposit Cap · 30-Day Return · Treble Damages · NOT Pasadena CA
Pasadena TX rent increase 2026 Texas has no rent control — Gov. Code §214.902 (HB 2902, eff. Sept 1, 2023) bars all Texas municipalities and counties from enacting rent control. Pasadena TX (Harris County; ~154,000 population; second-largest city in Harris County after Houston; NOT Pasadena CA) is a major Houston Ship Channel petrochemical suburb: LyondellBasell, Huntsman, Arkema, and Chevron Phillips Cedar Bayou facility drive workforce housing demand. San Jacinto College (~60,000+ annual enrollment; ~2,500–3,000 employees). Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base SCRA. Texas Property Code: no deposit cap; 30-day return (§92.103); treble damages (§92.109). Evictions: Harris County JP Precinct 6.
Pasadena, Texas — Harris County’s second-largest city, a major industrial hub adjacent to the Houston Ship Channel petrochemical complex, and home to one of Texas’s largest community colleges — has no rent control of any kind.
Note: This page covers Pasadena, Texas (Harris County; Houston metro area). Pasadena, California (Los Angeles County) has a separate rent stabilization ordinance — see the RentCeiling Pasadena CA page for that jurisdiction.
Texas Government Code §214.902 bars the City of Pasadena and Harris County from enacting any rent control ordinance. Pasadena’s rental market is primarily workforce housing for petrochemical workers, San Jacinto College students, and healthcare employees — a demographic that values affordability over amenities, and where the 30-day deposit return deadline (§92.103) and proper documentation of pre-existing property conditions are the most important compliance factors.
Pasadena TX 2026 rent control status: quick reference
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Rent control in Pasadena TX? | None. Texas Gov. Code §214.902 prohibits all local rent control statewide. |
| Annual increase cap? | No cap. Any amount at lease expiration with proper notice. |
| MTM notice to raise rent? | 1 month written notice minimum (§91.001); lease may require more. |
| Security deposit cap? | No statutory cap. Parties agree to any amount (§92.102). |
| Deposit return deadline? | 30 days after surrender + itemized deductions list (§92.103). |
| Bad-faith withholding penalty? | $100 + 3× amount + attorney fees (§92.109). |
| Non-payment eviction notice? | 3-day written notice to vacate (§24.005) — vacate only, no cure option. |
| Eviction court? | Harris County JP Precinct 6 (Pasadena area). |
| SCRA applies? | Yes — Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base (147th Attack Wing TXANG) ~10–15 miles away. |
| Flood disclosure? | Yes — SB 339 (2022): disclose if flooded more than once in last 5 years. |
| Controlling law | Texas Gov. Code §214.902; Texas Property Code Chapters 91, 92, 24 |
Pasadena TX vs. Pasadena CA: rent control comparison
| Feature | Pasadena, Texas (Harris County) | Pasadena, California (LA County) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent control? | No. Texas §214.902 prohibits it. | Yes. Pasadena RSO (Charter Article XVIII). |
| Annual cap? | None — any amount at lease end. | General Adjustment (CPI-indexed); ~3% typical. |
| Covered units? | N/A (no rent control) | Pre-1979 multi-unit residential buildings. |
| Security deposit cap? | No cap (Texas) | 2× monthly rent (California SB 267, eff. 2025) |
| Deposit return deadline? | 30 days (Texas PC §92.103) | 21 days (California CC §1950.5) |
| Population (~2024) | ~154,000 | ~140,000 |
| Major identity | Houston Ship Channel industrial suburb | Caltech, Rose Bowl, Old Pasadena dining |
Texas rent control preemption — Gov. Code §214.902
“A municipality or county may not adopt or enforce an ordinance, order, or other regulation that controls the price at which private residential rental property may be offered for rent or leased to a prospective tenant.”
Texas Government Code §214.902 (HB 2902, 88th Texas Legislature, effective September 1, 2023)
The City of Pasadena TX and Harris County are both barred from enacting rent control. Pasadena’s City Council has never sought rent control. The result is a pure market-rate environment for Pasadena TX landlords, with regulatory compliance governed solely by Texas Property Code.
Major employers driving Pasadena TX rental demand
Houston Ship Channel Petrochemical Complex
Pasadena sits adjacent to the Houston Ship Channel — a 52-mile waterway from the Gulf of Mexico to the Port of Houston that anchors one of the world’s largest concentrations of petrochemical manufacturing. The Ship Channel complex spans Harris, Chambers, and Galveston counties and includes hundreds of chemical plants, refineries, tank farms, and industrial facilities.
Key petrochemical employers with significant Pasadena-area operations include:
- LyondellBasell Industries: One of the world’s largest plastics and chemicals companies. Multiple Harris County facilities with significant Channelview/Pasadena-area employment; thousands of workers in plant operations, engineering, and safety roles.
- Huntsman Corporation: Global chemical manufacturer headquartered in The Woodlands TX; major manufacturing operations in the Pasadena/Baytown area in polyurethanes, performance products, and textile effects. Hundreds of local plant employees.
- Arkema Inc.: French specialty chemicals company with manufacturing operations in the Pasadena TX area; produces organic peroxides, specialty coatings, and performance materials. Plant employees earn $60,000–$100,000+ with shift differential and overtime.
- INEOS: Battleground Manufacturing Complex in La Porte, adjacent to the Pasadena Ship Channel area; one of the largest ethylene crackers in the U.S.
Petrochemical workers — shift operators, control room technicians, process engineers, and maintenance specialists — typically earn $60,000–$130,000+ with overtime and are a primary demand driver for Pasadena’s workforce housing market.
San Jacinto College
San Jacinto College (Central campus: 8060 Spencer Hwy, Pasadena TX 77505) is one of the 10 largest community colleges in Texas, with approximately 60,000+ annual credit and non-credit student enrollments across three campuses (Central, South, and North). The college employs approximately 2,500–3,000 faculty, administrators, and support staff. San Jacinto’s offerings include engineering technology, health sciences, transportation technology (maritime, aviation, logistics), and workforce training — aligned with the Houston Ship Channel industry. The Central campus on Spencer Hwy creates strong demand for apartments and rental houses within 1–2 miles of campus from students and adjunct faculty.
Healthcare employers
Pasadena is served by Bayshore Medical Center (a major community hospital in Pasadena) and the broader CHRISTUS Health system in the region. Healthcare employees represent a consistent mid-tier rental demand cohort in Pasadena’s Bay Area Blvd and Red Bluff Rd corridors.
Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base (SCRA)
Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base (11100 Aerospace Ave, Houston TX 77034) is located approximately 10–15 miles southwest of Pasadena. Ellington hosts the 147th Attack Wing, Texas Air National Guard (flying MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial systems) and multiple other reserve and national guard units. The base employs approximately 700–1,500 military and civilian personnel. Active-duty military members and reservists on federal orders may qualify for SCRA lease termination rights (see FAQ below). Some Ellington personnel prefer Pasadena for its affordability and Bay Area Blvd proximity to the base.
Pasadena TX rental market by submarket
| Submarket | 1BR | 2BR | 3BR |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Pasadena / Red Bluff Rd | $900–$1,400 | $1,100–$1,800 | $1,400–$2,200 |
| Bay Area Blvd / Preston Rd corridor | $950–$1,500 | $1,200–$1,900 | $1,500–$2,400 |
| Fairmont Pkwy / Beltway 8 area | $900–$1,350 | $1,150–$1,800 | $1,400–$2,200 |
| Spencer Hwy / Southmore (older stock) | $750–$1,200 | $950–$1,500 | $1,200–$2,000 |
| Pasadena Town Square area | $900–$1,400 | $1,150–$1,850 | $1,400–$2,200 |
Pasadena rents are substantially lower than west Houston master-planned suburbs (Katy, Sugar Land, The Woodlands), reflecting the older housing stock and industrial/workforce character of the market. Properties within easy commuting distance of Ship Channel facilities (Spencer Hwy, Red Bluff Rd) see strong demand from shift workers seeking short commutes.
Texas Property Code Chapter 92 — security deposit rules
- No statutory cap (§92.102): No Texas-imposed limit. Pasadena market practice: 1 month’s rent ($800–$1,500) for most workforce housing.
- 30-day return deadline (§92.103): Return deposit + itemized deductions within 30 days of surrender.
- Treble damages (§92.109): Bad-faith withholding = $100 + 3× amount + attorney fees. On a $1,000 deposit, bad-faith claim = $3,100+ plus attorney fees.
- Pre-existing condition documentation: Many Pasadena rental properties are older (1960s–1990s vintage) with pre-existing wear. A signed move-in checklist with photos is essential — without it, deductions for damage are difficult to defend in JP Court.
- Normal wear and tear not deductible: Worn carpet, minor paint fading, loose fixtures, and normal aging are not deductible regardless of age or condition at move-in.
Eviction process in Pasadena / Harris County JP Precinct 6
- 3-day written notice to vacate (non-payment; §24.005): Vacate-only notice with no cure option. Serve personally, by posting on the front door, or certified mail to the property address.
- File FED petition at Harris County JP Precinct 6 after notice period expires. Filing fee: ~$100–$125.
- JP hearing within 10–21 days. Bring lease, notices with proof of service, payment records.
- Judgment + appeal window: Tenant has 5 days to appeal to Harris County Civil Court at Law. If no appeal: request Writ of Possession.
- Harris County Constable Precinct 6 lockout: 24-hour door notice, then lockout. Self-help prohibited by §92.0081.
Total uncontested timeline: approximately 3–5 weeks.
Top 10 Pasadena TX landlord compliance mistakes
- Missing the 30-day deposit return deadline. Set an immediate calendar alert from the day of surrender.
- No move-in condition documentation. Pasadena’s older housing stock makes pre-existing damage the most common dispute driver. A signed move-in checklist with photos is not optional.
- Deducting normal wear and tear. Cannot deduct worn carpet, faded paint, or loose fixtures regardless of property age.
- Self-help eviction. Changing locks without a Constable Writ violates §92.0081.
- Ignoring SCRA obligations for Ellington Field personnel. Honor lease termination rights unconditionally when presented with valid military orders.
- No SB 339 flood disclosure. Pasadena has experienced flooding; disclose if property flooded more than once in prior 5 years.
- Not using a written lease. Oral leases are enforceable under Texas law but create serious documentation difficulties in JP Court.
- Wrong Harris County JP precinct. Pasadena is served by JP Precinct 6; filing in Precinct 1 or 3 causes dismissal and delays.
- No §92.201 owner/manager disclosure. Required in lease or posted notice; non-compliance affects attorney fee recovery.
- Demanding more than 1 month deposit without written justification. While Texas has no cap, unusually high deposits relative to market rates may prompt tenant attorneys to scrutinize deposit handling more closely.
Related Houston area rent increase pages
- Houston TX rent increase 2026
- Pearland TX rent increase 2026 (Brazoria County; immediately south)
- League City TX rent increase 2026 (Galveston/Harris split; near NASA JSC)
- Sugar Land TX rent increase 2026 (Fort Bend County)
- Katy TX rent increase 2026 (Harris/Waller/Fort Bend split)
- Pasadena CA rent control 2026 (Pasadena, California — completely different jurisdiction)
- Texas statewide rent increase laws 2026
Pasadena TX rent increase FAQ
Does Pasadena TX have rent control in 2026?
No. This is Pasadena, Texas (Harris County; Houston suburb). Texas Gov. Code §214.902 prohibits all local rent control. No cap, no rent board, no filing requirements. Note: Pasadena, California (Caltech / Rose Bowl) has local rent control — see the Pasadena CA page for that jurisdiction.
What makes Pasadena TX different from Pasadena CA for rent control?
Pasadena TX (Harris County; ~154,000; Ship Channel industrial suburb) has NO rent control whatsoever. Pasadena CA (LA County; ~140,000; Caltech/Rose Bowl) has local rent stabilization under Charter Article XVIII covering pre-1979 multi-unit buildings with CPI-indexed annual caps.
What are the major employers near Pasadena TX?
Houston Ship Channel petrochemical complex (LyondellBasell, Huntsman, Arkema, INEOS — thousands of plant workers); San Jacinto College (~60,000+ enrollment; ~2,500–3,000 employees); City of Pasadena (~1,800 municipal); Bayshore Medical Center / CHRISTUS Health; Ellington Field ANGB (~700–1,500).
What are typical 2026 rent levels in Pasadena TX?
South Pasadena/Red Bluff: 1BR $900–$1,400. Bay Area Blvd/Preston: 1BR $950–$1,500. Spencer Hwy/Southmore (older stock): 1BR $750–$1,200. Pasadena is significantly more affordable than west Houston suburbs — primarily workforce housing market.
Does Ellington Field affect Pasadena TX rentals?
Yes for SCRA purposes. Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base (147th Attack Wing TXANG; ~10–15 miles from Pasadena) means some tenants may be reservists on federal orders with SCRA lease termination rights. Always honor valid SCRA termination requests. Refusing them creates federal liability.
How does eviction work in Pasadena / Harris County?
3-day notice to vacate (non-payment; vacate only). File FED petition at Harris County JP Precinct 6. Hearing in 10–21 days. If landlord wins: 5-day appeal window; then Harris County Constable Precinct 6 Writ + 24-hour lockout. ~3–5 weeks total uncontested.
What are the biggest landlord mistakes in Pasadena TX?
Missing 30-day deposit return; no move-in condition documentation (older housing stock); not accommodating SCRA terminations; no SB 339 flood disclosure; self-help eviction; wrong Harris County JP precinct filing.