Rental Property Rules in Sacramento County, CA (2026)

4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 7 cities in Sacramento County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Sacramento County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Rent Control

Unincorporated Sacramento County has NO local rent cap. Statewide AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act of 2019) applies: annual rent increases capped at 5 percent plus CPI, or 10 percent maximum, whichever is lower. Just-cause eviction required for tenants of 12+ months. Single-family homes owned by individuals and buildings under 15 years old are generally exempt.

Rental Property: Rent Control

Heavy Restrictions

AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act of 2019); California Civil Code § 1947.12

1947.12. (a) (1) Subject to subdivision (b), 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 pri...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Just Cause Eviction

Unincorporated Sacramento County follows California AB 1482 (Civil Code 1946.2) just cause eviction rules. No additional county-level tenant protection ordinance beyond state law.

Rental Property: Just Cause Eviction

Heavy Restrictions

California Civil Code § 1946.2

(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, whi...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Rental Registration

Sacramento County requires every rental dwelling unit in the unincorporated area to be registered with the Director each year: the owner must pay the annual Rental Housing Code Compliance (RHCC) fee and file contact information before a tenant may occupy the unit. Skipping either step is a code violation under Chapter 16.20.

Sacramento County Rental Registration Fee

Significant Restrictions

Sacramento County Code §§ 16.20.400, 16.20.405

§ 16.20.400. Rental Housing Code Compliance Fee Requirement. No rental dwelling unit shall be occupied by a tenant unless there has been paid to the Director the annual Rental Housing Code Compliance (RHCC) fee for such rental dwelling unit and the information required by Section 16.20.405(A) of this article has been provided. § 16.20.405. Provision of Contact Information as a Condition to Rent...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Repairs & Habitability

When county inspectors find a rental dangerously substandard, the Housing Code lets the Director order it vacated and boarded up, with re-entry a crime until repairs are permitted and completed.

Sacramento County Dangerous Dwelling Vacation

Heavy Restrictions

Sacramento County Code § 16.20.330(A)

If the Director has determined the dwelling or portion thereof is in such a condition as to make it immediately dangerous to the health, safety, or welfare of its occupants, the public, or adjacent property, the Director may issue a notice the dwelling or portion thereof shall be vacated within a time determined by the Director to be reasonable under all the circumstances, including the health,...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗