Ventura County, CA Rental Property Rules: Just Cause Eviction (2026)
Just cause eviction rules in Ventura County, CA, sometimes called tenant protection or "for cause" eviction ordinances, list the specific legal reasons a landlord can end a tenancy.
Key Facts
- State Law
- AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act)
- Applies After
- 12 months of tenancy
- Just Cause
- Specific reasons required
- Relocation
- Required for no-fault evictions
- Effective
- January 1, 2020
Summary
California's Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482) provides just cause eviction protections for most renters in unincorporated Ventura County who have lived in a unit for 12+ months. Landlords may only evict for specific reasons defined in the statute.
(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 the 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 and lawfully occupied the residential real property for 24 months, then this subdivision shall only apply if either of the following are satisfied:
(1) All of the tenants have continuously and lawfully occupied the residential real property for 12 months or more.
(2) One or more tenants have continuously and lawfully occupied the residential real property for 24 months or more.
(b) For purposes of this section, "just cause" includes either of the following:
(1) At-fault just cause, which is 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 maintenance or commission of a nuisance as described in paragraph (4) of Section 1161 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
(D) Committing waste as described in paragraph (4) of Section 1161 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
(2) No-fault just cause, which includes any of the following:
(A) (i) Intent to occupy the residential real property by the owner or their spouse, domestic partner, children, grandchildren, parents, or grandparents.
(B) Withdrawal of the residential real property from the rental market.
Full Breakdown
AB 1482 (effective January 1, 2020) applies to most residential units in unincorporated Ventura County. After 12 months of tenancy, landlords need just cause to evict: non-payment, lease violations, nuisance, criminal activity, owner/family move-in, substantial renovation, or withdrawal from rental market (Ellis Act). No-fault evictions require relocation assistance. Single-family homes owned by natural persons (not corporate entities) may be exempt with proper notice. The county's mobile home park rent control (Division 8, Chapter 10) provides separate protections for mobile home residents.
Violations & Fines
Wrongful eviction allows tenants to sue for damages, attorney fees, and reinstatement. Failure to provide relocation assistance for no-fault evictions creates additional liability. Contact Ventura County Legal Aid for tenant assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a landlord evict without cause in Ventura County?
What is relocation assistance?
Are single-family homes exempt?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ventura County
California rules heatmap·Compare Ventura County to another location·View the California rental property rules overview
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