Santa Clara County, CA Rental Property Rules: Just Cause Eviction (2026)

2, requires landlords of covered rental units to have just cause to terminate a tenancy after a tenant has lived in the unit for 12 months. Just cause falls into two categories. At-fault reasons include nonpayment of rent, material lease breach, nuisance, criminal activity, refusal to renew a similar lease, and refusal to allow lawful entry. No-fault reasons include owner or relative move-in, intent to withdraw the unit from the rental market (Ellis Act), substantial remodel requiring tenant vacancy for at least 30 days, and compliance with government orders.

For no-fault terminations, the landlord must provide relocation assistance equal to one month's rent or waive the final month's rent. Written notice requirements vary: 3-day notice for at-fault curable violations, 30 or 60-day notice for no-fault depending on tenancy length. Unincorporated Santa Clara County follows state law without additional local protections, though the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley provides free tenant assistance.