Riverside County, CA Rental Property Rules: Just Cause Eviction (2026)
Just cause eviction rules in Riverside County, CA, sometimes called tenant protection or "for cause" eviction ordinances, list the specific legal reasons a landlord can end a tenancy.
Key Facts
- Dimensions
- AB 1482 just cause after 12-plus months tenancy
- Animals
- At-fault causes require no relocation payment
- No-fault Causes
- No-fault causes require one month of rent assistance
- Age Restriction
- Notices must include statutory language
- Minimum
- Retaliation and discrimination are separately prohibited
Summary
California AB 1482 requires just cause to terminate any tenancy in a covered unit in Riverside County after the tenant has continuously occupied the unit for 12 months (or 24 months if a new adult tenant joined). The law distinguishes at-fault reasons (no relocation fee) from no-fault reasons (requires one month of rent as relocation assistance).
(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 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' means either of the following: (1) 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 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. [...] (F) Criminal activity by the tenant on the residential real property, including any common areas, or any criminal activity or criminal threat, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 422 of the Penal Code, on or off the residential real property, that is directed at any owner or agent of the owner of the residential real property.
Full Breakdown
2 apply to the same units as the AB 1482 rent cap: multifamily units 15 or more years old and some single-family rentals owned by corporate entities. After 12 months of tenancy the landlord must state an at-fault cause (nonpayment of rent, breach of lease, nuisance, criminal activity, refusing to execute lease renewal, unauthorized subletting) or a no-fault cause (owner move-in by owner or immediate family, removal from rental market under Ellis-like procedures, substantial remodel requiring tenant to vacate, or compliance with a government order).
No-fault evictions require written notice and payment of one month's rent in relocation assistance or a waiver of the final month's rent. Notices must include specific statutory language; defective notices are often dismissed in unlawful detainer court. Exemptions match the rent-cap exemptions and require the owner to have served the written AB 1482 exemption notice. 5 and the Fair Employment and Housing Act. Tenants in Riverside County can access free legal aid through Inland Counties Legal Services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my landlord evict me without reason?
What counts as a no-fault eviction?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Riverside County
California rules heatmap·Compare Riverside County to another location·View the California rental property rules overview
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