Palo Alto, CA Rental Property Rules: Just Cause Eviction (2026)
Just cause eviction rules in Palo Alto, CA, sometimes called tenant protection or "for cause" eviction ordinances, list the specific legal reasons a landlord can end a tenancy.
Key Facts
- Governing law
- CA Civil Code 1946.2 (AB 1482)
- Coverage threshold
- 12 months of continuous tenancy
- No-fault relocation
- One month rent or final month waived
- Exemptions
- New construction (under 15 years), some single-family
- Local contact
- (650) 329-2100
Summary
Palo Alto tenants are protected by California AB 1482 (Civil Code 1946.2), which requires landlords to state just cause to terminate tenancies of 12+ months and pay relocation assistance for no-fault evictions.
(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, applies to most residential rental units in Palo Alto once a tenant has continuously occupied the unit for 12 months (or 24 months if any additional adult occupants were added). Landlords must have just cause to evict, divided into at-fault reasons (nonpayment of rent, breach of lease, nuisance, criminal activity, refusal to sign a similar lease) and no-fault reasons (owner move-in, withdrawal from rental market, government order, substantial remodel). For no-fault evictions, landlords must pay relocation assistance equal to one month of rent or waive the final month of rent.
Single-family homes owned by non-corporate landlords and units built within the last 15 years are generally exempt when proper notice is provided. Palo Alto does not maintain a separate municipal just-cause ordinance beyond the state law, so the state framework governs. Tenants should receive written notice citing the specific cause. Contact Palo Alto Planning at (650) 329-2100 or Project Sentinel for tenant counseling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Palo Alto have its own just cause ordinance?
What counts as a no-fault eviction?
How much relocation pay is required?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palo Alto
California rules heatmap·Compare Palo Alto to another location·View the California rental property rules overview
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Just Cause Eviction in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Santa Clara County handle just cause eviction.