Rental Property Rules in Napa, CA (2026)
5 verified rental property rules for Napa, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Rent Control
The City of Napa has not adopted a local rent control ordinance. Rent is governed by California's statewide Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482, Civil Code Section 1947.12), which caps annual rent increases on covered units at the lower of 5% plus regional CPI or 10% per 12-month period. Single-family homes and condominiums owned by natural persons, plus housing built within the last 15 years, are exempt. The Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act (Civil Code Section 1954.50) prohibits any local rent control on single-family homes and post-February 1, 1995 construction.
Napa Rent Caps Under California AB 1482
Some RestrictionsCal. Civ. Code Section 1947.12 (Tenant Protection Act — Rent Cap)
An owner of residential real property shall not, over the course of any 12-month period, increase the gross rental rate for a dwelling or a unit more than 5 percent plus the percentage change in the cost of living, or 10 percent, whichever is lower, of the lowest gross rental rate charged for that dwelling or unit at any time during the 12 months prior to the effective date of the increase. ......
Just Cause Eviction
The City of Napa has no local just-cause eviction ordinance, so the statewide Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482, Civil Code Section 1946.2) controls. After 12 months of continuous occupancy by the tenant, a landlord may terminate tenancy only for at-fault cause (non-payment, breach, nuisance, criminal activity) or no-fault cause (owner move-in, withdrawal from the rental market, substantial remodel, government order). No-fault terminations require relocation assistance equal to one month of rent, or written waiver of the final month's rent.
Napa Just-Cause Eviction Under AB 1482
Some RestrictionsCal. Civ. Code Section 1946.2 (Tenant Protection Act — Just Cause Eviction)
(a) Notwithstanding any other law, after a tenant has continuously and lawfully occupied a residential real property for 12 months, the owner of the residential real property shall not terminate a tenancy without just cause, which shall be stated in the written notice to terminate tenancy. ... (b) For purposes of this section, "just cause" means either of the following: (1) At-fault just cause,...
Rental Registration
The City of Napa does not maintain a per-unit rental registry, but Chapter 8.17 (Residential Rental Property) of the Napa Municipal Code imposes affirmative standards on owners of residential rentals of two or more units. Owners must publish written house rules requiring tenants and guests to refrain from public-nuisance activity, maintain the property to code, and (for buildings of 16 or more units) provide an on-site resident manager available during normal business hours. Vacation rentals are separately permitted and capped under Section 17.52.515.
Napa Residential Rental Property Rules (Chapter 8.17)
Some RestrictionsRental Inspection Programs
The City of Napa does not operate a proactive city-wide Rental Housing Inspection Program for long-term rentals. Habitability inspections of standard apartments and houses are complaint-driven through Napa Code Enforcement, working under Chapter 8.17 (Residential Rental Property), the property-maintenance provisions of Title 15, and California Civil Code Section 1941.1. Vacation rentals permitted under Section 17.52.515 face annual Fire Division life-safety inspections as a permit condition.
Napa Rental Inspections (Complaint-Based, Plus STR Life-Safety)
Few RestrictionsSecurity Deposit Rules
Security deposits on Napa residential rentals are capped at one month's rent under California AB 12, effective July 1, 2024, codified at Civil Code Section 1950.5(c). A narrow small-landlord exception preserves a two-month cap for natural-person landlords owning two or fewer rental properties with no more than four total units. Deposits must be returned within 21 days of move-out with an itemized statement of deductions and receipts for any deduction over $125.
Napa Security Deposit Rules After AB 12
Some RestrictionsCal. Civ. Code Section 1950.5 (Residential Security Deposits)
(c)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), (3), or (5), a landlord shall not demand or receive security, however denominated, in an amount or value in excess of an amount equal to one month's rent, in addition to any rent for the first month paid on or before initial occupancy. (2) This subdivision does not prohibit an advance payment of not less than six months' rent if the term of the lease ...
Looking for Napa County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Napa city rules.
Rental Property Rules in Napa County →