Rental Property Rules in San Mateo County, CA (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in San Mateo County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Rent Control
Unincorporated San Mateo County has NO local rent control. State law AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act, Civil Code §1946.2 and §1947.12) caps annual rent increases at 5% plus CPI (maximum 10%) for qualifying units. Single-family homes owned by non-corporate owners and buildings under 15 years old are exempt.
rental-property/rent-control
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code § 1947.12 (AB 1482 Tenant Protection Act)
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...
Just Cause Eviction
Unincorporated San Mateo County applies California's statewide just-cause eviction protections under AB 1482 (Civil Code §1946.2). After 12 months of tenancy, landlords must state an at-fault or no-fault reason. No-fault evictions require one month's rent in relocation assistance.
rental-property/just-cause-eviction
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code § 1946.2 (AB 1482)
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. If any additional adult tenants are added to the lease before an existing tenant has continuously ...
Rental Registration
Unincorporated San Mateo County does NOT have a rental registration program. Landlords must comply with state habitability laws (Civil Code §1941.1) and the California Building Code. Business license required only for property management companies, not individual landlords.
rental-property/rental-registration
Some RestrictionsCal. Civil Code Sec. 1947.12 (Tenant Protection Act - Annual Rent Increase Limits)
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...
Rent Increase Notice
In unincorporated San Mateo County, a mobilehome park owner seeking a space-rent increase above the standard CPI cap must file a petition with the County Hearing Officer 60 days beforehand and send affected tenants a certified notice letter stating the requested amount.
San Mateo County Mobilehome Rent Increase Notice
Some RestrictionsSan Mateo County Ordinance Code § 1.30.040(B)(2)-(3)
The petition shall be filed with the Hearing Officer no later than sixty (60) days before the desired date the requested rent increase is to take effect.3.The petition shall contain a copy of a certified letter sent to the affected tenants notifying them of the petition and the amount of increase requested.4.The petition shall contain a statement attesting to the availability of any records req...
Repairs & Habitability
Unincorporated San Mateo County landlords must pay relocation benefits to tenants displaced when code enforcement declares their rental unit substandard or unsafe, under Chapter 3.108.
San Mateo County Substandard Unit Relocation Pay
Significant RestrictionsSan Mateo County Ordinance Code § 3.108.030(a)
A tenant household shall be eligible for relocation payments from a property owner under this chapter if the tenant household is displaced from its dwelling or room due to the County's code enforcement activities.
Rental Property Rules by City in San Mateo County
2 cities in San Mateo County have their own rental property rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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