Provisions for the redistribution of negative moments in KCI 2007 and ACI 318-08 use a method for continuous flexural members subjected to uniformly-distributed gravity load. Moment redistributions and plastic rotations in beams of reinforced concrete moment frames subjected to lateral load differ from those in continuous flexural members due to gravity load. In the present study, a quantitative relationship between the moment redistribution and plastic rotation is established for beams subjected to both lateral and gravity loads. Based on the relationship, a design method for the redistribution of negative moments is proposed based on a plastic rotation capacity. The percentage change in negative moments in the beam was defined as a function of the tensile strain of re-bars at the section of maximum negative moment, which is determined by a section analysis at an ultimate state using KCI 2007 and ACI 318-08. Span, reinforcement ratio, cracked section stiffness, and strain-hardening behavior substantially affected the moment redistribution. Design guidelines and examples for the redistribution of the factored negative moments determined by elastic theory for beams under lateral load are presented.