An effort to rehabilitate the aging building began in the late 1990s, led by Architectural Resources Group of San Francisco, California.

Over the course of three years, all offices and council chambers were renovated, the facade was restored, the building was adapted to meet ADA standards, HVAC systems were replaced and modernized, and new landscaping and architectural lighting was installed.

Although the renovation has been among the costliest public works projects in Pasadena, totaling $117 million, city officials decided that they couldn't risk losing the landmark in another quake.

The dome is visible through the window of the main characters' apartment building in the television show The Big Bang Theory, set in Pasadena.

[4] The City Hall was also filming location of the episode "The Confession" from the television series The Incredible Hulk and it was also seen in the opening to the TV court show The Judge from 1986 to 1993.