San Joaquin County, CA Rental Property Rules: Just Cause Eviction (2026)
Just cause eviction rules in San Joaquin County, CA, sometimes called tenant protection or "for cause" eviction ordinances, list the specific legal reasons a landlord can end a tenancy.
Key Facts
- Coverage
- 12+ months tenancy
- Relocation
- 1 month rent (no-fault)
- Authority
- Civil Code §1946.2
- Local Rules
- None beyond state
- Enforcement
- Civil action, DFEH/CRD
Summary
All covered rentals in San Joaquin County, Stockton, Lodi, Manteca, Tracy, and unincorporated areas, are subject to the statewide just-cause eviction rules in AB 1482 (Civil Code §1946.2). After 12 months of tenancy, landlords must state a recognized at-fault or no-fault reason to terminate, and no-fault evictions require one month of rent as relocation assistance. No city in the county has enacted additional local just-cause protections.
(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.
Full Breakdown
2 (AB 1482) requires just cause for terminating tenancies after a tenant has occupied a unit for 12+ months (or 24+ months if any co-tenant has lived under 12 months). At-fault causes include non-payment of rent, material lease breach after cure notice, nuisance, criminal activity, and refusal to allow legal entry. No-fault causes are limited to owner or family move-in, substantial remodel requiring vacancy, removal from rental market under the Ellis Act, or government-ordered closure. No-fault evictions require the landlord to pay relocation assistance equal to one month's rent or waive the last month's rent.
Coverage tracks AB 1482's rent-cap coverage: most multi-family buildings 15+ years old, corporate-owned SFRs, and non-individual-owned condos. Single-family homes owned by individuals (with statutory notice) and new construction are exempt. 2 is the governing standard. 2(h) for damages plus punitive damages for willful violations.
Violations & Fines
Eviction without just cause for a covered unit: action is void; tenant may recover possession, actual damages, and up to 3x damages plus attorney fees for willful violations per Civil Code §1946.2(h). No-fault eviction without relocation payment: termination notice is defective; eviction cannot proceed. Retaliatory eviction: treble damages and attorney fees under Civil Code §1942.5.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my Stockton landlord evict me for no reason?
Does just-cause apply to my single-family rental in Manteca?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Joaquin County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Joaquin County to another location·View the California rental property rules overview
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