Dollars dispute: Del Cielo Mobile Estates residents fight back against a rent increase tied to lawsuit expenses

Residents of Del Cielo Mobile Estates in Orcutt are disputing a proposed $39 monthly rent increase, arguing that it unfairly includes legal fees from a lawsuit filed by the park’s owners against Santa Barbara County. The lawsuit concerns a county ordinance intended to protect the 55-and-over community from being converted into an all-ages park. Arbitrator John Derrick expressed concern about allowing potentially “hundreds of thousands of dollars” in legal fees to be passed on to tenants as operating expenses, questioning whether the lawsuit was an activity of the park itself or of the park’s owners.

The dispute began in May 2024 when Harmony Communities, the property manager, announced plans to convert Del Cielo into an all-ages community, prompting residents to advocate for the senior zoning overlay. The $39 increase, proposed in October 2025, was based on operating expenses including these legal fees. Residents, many on fixed incomes, collected signatures and petitioned for county arbitration, arguing they shouldn’t be responsible for costs related to a dispute they weren’t involved in.

A decision on the rent increase is expected in early April, with either party able to appeal to the Board of Supervisors. Resident Sue DeWeese, president of the park’s residents association, emphasized the unfairness of the situation, stating, “That’s their battle. Why are we involved?”

(Source：Santa Maria Sun)