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

Unincorporated Santa Cruz County does not have a local just-cause-for-eviction ordinance distinct from state law; the City of Santa Cruz also lacks its own permanent just-cause ordinance after the 2018 Measure M (Rent Control & Tenant Protections) was rejected by voters and the City's 2019 emergency just-cause ordinance expired 12/31/2019. The applicable framework is therefore the California Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482, codified at Cal. Civ Code 1946.2 and 1947.12), effective 1/1/2020. AB 1482 covers most residential rentals more than 15 years old (rolling exemption) and requires landlords to state 'just cause' - at-fault (nonpayment, breach, nuisance, criminal activity, refusal to renew, etc.) or no-fault (owner/family move-in, substantial remodel, withdrawal from market under Ellis Act, government order) - to terminate any tenancy of 12 months or more. No-fault terminations require one month's rent in relocation assistance or a one-month rent waiver. AB 1482 also caps annual rent increases at 5% plus the regional CPI, with a 10% absolute maximum. Exempted are single-family homes owned by non-corporate landlords (with proper notice), condos similarly owned, new construction under 15 years, owner-occupied duplexes, and deed-restricted affordable housing. AB 1482 Disclosure (Civ Code 1946.2(e)) must be in every lease.