Rental Property Rules in Santa Cruz, CA (2026)
4 verified rental property rules for Santa Cruz, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Rent Control
Santa Cruz has no local rent control. Measure M, a 2018 ballot initiative to enact local rent control and just-cause eviction, was defeated by 65.5% of voters. California state law (AB 1482) provides the only applicable rent caps.
Santa Cruz Rent Control (Measure M Defeated 2018)
Few RestrictionsJust Cause Eviction
California Civil Code §1946.2 (AB 1482) provides just-cause eviction protection for covered tenants after 12 months of occupancy. Santa Cruz Code §21.07.010 extends those protections to Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher holders.
Santa Cruz Just-Cause Eviction (AB 1482 + Section 8)
Heavy RestrictionsSanta Cruz Municipal Code §21.07.010
Notwithstanding the language of California Civil Code Section 1946.2(e)(9), the no-fault just cause eviction protections of Section 1946.2 shall be applicable to tenants receiving subsidy through the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program or the Section 8 Project Based Voucher Program. A full month's rent shall be provided for relocation assistance, including both the tenant's portion of the ...
Rental Registration
Santa Cruz Municipal Code Ch. 21.06 (Residential Rental Dwelling Unit Inspection and Maintenance Program) requires landlords to register rental units with the City and submit to periodic habitability inspections.
Santa Cruz Residential Rental Inspection Program
Heavy RestrictionsSecurity Deposit Rules
Santa Cruz Municipal Code Ch. 21.02 (Security Deposits for Residential Rental Property) sets local rules supplementing California Civil Code §1950.5 governing residential security deposits.
Santa Cruz Security Deposit Rules
Some RestrictionsLooking for Santa Cruz County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Cruz city rules.
Rental Property Rules in Santa Cruz County →