Rental Property Rules in Santa Cruz County, CA (2026)

Cal. Civ. Code § 1947.12 - Tenant Protection Act of 2019; statewide rent cap

If the same tenant remains in occupancy of a unit of residential real property over any 12-month period, the gross rental rate for the unit of residential real property shall not be increased in more than two increments over that 12-month period, subject to the other restrictions of this subdivision governing gross rental rate increase. (b) For a new tenancy in which no tenant from the prior te...

Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.2 - Tenant Protection Act of 2019; just cause for termination

At-fault just cause, which means any of the following: (A) Default in the payment of rent. (B) A breach of a material term of the lease, as described in paragraph (3) of Section 1161 of the Code of Civil Procedure, including, but not limited to, violation of a provision of the lease after being issued a written notice to correct the violation. (C) Maintaining, committing, or permitting the main...

Santa Cruz County Code § 13.32.030(A), (B), (F)

(A) General rent adjustments may be made once each calendar year by the owner without notice to the County. A general rent adjustment notice, in the form specified in subsection (F) of this section, shall be mailed to the residents prior to the making of such a general rent adjustment. (B) This annual general rent adjustment may only be made on or after the anniversary date of the resident. ......

Santa Cruz County Code §§ 12.10.251, 12.10.252, 12.10.425

§ 12.10.251. 1997 Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings adopted. The 1997 Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings is hereby adopted with amendments, as noted in SCCC § 12.10.425. ... § 12.10.252. 1997 Uniform Housing Code adopted. The 1997 Uniform Housing Code, published by the International Conference of Building Officials, is hereby adopted with the following ame...