Rental Property Rules in Santa Ana, CA (2026)
5 verified rental property rules for Santa Ana, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Rent Control
Santa Ana caps annual rent increases on covered residential units and mobilehome spaces at 3%, or 80% of the change in the Consumer Price Index, whichever is less, and allows only one increase per 12-month period. The city announces the year's allowable percentage by June 30, effective every September 1.
Santa Ana Rent Increase Cap Ordinance
Significant RestrictionsSanta Ana, CA, Municipal Code Ch. 8, Art. XIX, Div. 3, § 8-3140
(a)Increases in Rent on Residential Real Property or Mobilehome Spaces in the City of Santa Ana in excess of three percent (3%), or eighty (80%) of the change in the Consumer Price Index, whichever is less, and more than one Rent Increase in any twelve (12) month period, are prohibited, unless expressly exempt under the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act codified in California Civil Code section ...
Just Cause Eviction
Once a Santa Ana tenant has lawfully occupied a unit for 30 straight days, the landlord can't end the tenancy without just cause stated in the written termination notice. Sec. 8-3120 defines just cause as either an at-fault violation, like nonpayment of rent, or specific no-fault grounds like owner move-in or a required demolition.
Santa Ana Just Cause Eviction Protections
Significant RestrictionsSanta Ana, CA, Municipal Code Ch. 8, Art. XIX, Div. 2, § 8-3120
(a)After a Tenant has continuously and lawfully occupied a Residential Real Property for thirty (30) days, the Owner of the Residential Real Property shall not terminate the Tenancy without just cause, which shall be stated in the written notice to terminate Tenancy. The provisions of this section related to the termination of Tenants shall not apply to Mobilehomes or Mobilehome Spaces in Mobil...
AB-1482 Notice Disclosure
California AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act of 2019) requires landlords statewide to give tenants a written notice describing the law's rent cap and just-cause rules. Santa Ana enforces local protections that are often stronger.
AB 1482 Disclosure Requirement
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code Section 1946.2 (AB 1482 Tenant Protection Act)
(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. [...] (f)(3) The notification or lease provision shall be in no less than 12-point type, and shall include...
Rent Increase Notice
Every Santa Ana rent-increase notice must tell tenants the Rent Stabilization Ordinance exists and spell out their right to respond to any Fair Return or Capital Improvement Petition the landlord has filed. Sec. 8-3149 requires this same disclosure again at the start of every tenancy, and no increase takes effect until it's satisfied.
Santa Ana Rent Increase Notice Rules
Some RestrictionsSanta Ana, CA, Municipal Code Ch. 8, Art. XIX, Div. 3, § 8-3149
(a)An Owner of any Residential Real Property or Mobilehome Space subject to this provision shall, on or before the date of commencement of a Tenancy, give the Tenant a written notice in a form prescribed by the City which must include the following information:(1)The existence and scope of this Division 3 of Article XIX of Chapter 8 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code; and(2)The Tenant's right to r...
Repairs & Habitability
Santa Ana law requires every rental housing owner to keep the unit and property free of 'substandard conditions': nuisances, deterioration that hurts neighboring property values, code violations, or anything out of compliance with the adopted Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical or Fire Codes or the State Housing Law. Owners must fix cited conditions before any re-inspection clears the property.
Santa Ana Rental Housing Habitability Standard
Some RestrictionsSanta Ana, CA, Municipal Code §§ 8-1962, 8-1965 (Substandard Condition; Responsibility for Maintenance)
"Substandard condition" means the presence of any one or more of the following conditions on rental housing property: (i) any condition that constitutes a public nuisance as defined in California Civil Code Sections 3479-3480; (ii) any condition of deterioration or disrepair that creates a substantial adverse impact on neighboring properties; ... or (iv) any condition not in compliance with the...
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