San Bernardino, CA Rental Property Rules: Just Cause Eviction (2026)
Just cause eviction rules in San Bernardino, 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
- California AB 1482 (Civil Code 1946.2)
- Threshold
- Applies after 12 months of tenancy
- Relocation assistance
- One month of rent for no-fault evictions
- Main exemptions
- Single-family homes with proper notice, duplexes with owner on-site, buildings under 15 years old
- Notice rule
- Just cause must be stated in writing in the termination notice
Summary
San Bernardino tenants are protected by California AB 1482 (Civil Code 1946.2). Landlords must state a just cause to end tenancies of 12+ months, and no-fault evictions require one month of relocation assistance.
1946.2. (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 [...]. (C) Maintaining, committing, or permitting the maintenance or commission of a nuisance [...]. (D) Committing waste [...]. (F) Criminal activity by the tenant on the residential real property [...]. (2) No-fault just cause, which means any of the following: (A) (i) Intent to occupy the residential real property by the owner or the owner's spouse, domestic partner, children, grandchildren, parents, or grandparents for a minimum of 12 continuous months as that person's primary residence.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
2) governs most rental housing in the city. The statute applies to tenancies where at least one tenant has occupied the unit for 12 months, or 24 months if an additional tenant has been added. 2(e)(8) notice, duplexes where the owner occupies one unit, new construction issued a certificate of occupancy within the last 15 years, and dorms. For covered units the landlord must identify the just cause in the written termination notice. At-fault just causes include default in rent, material lease breach after notice to cure, nuisance or damage, criminal activity on the premises, subletting in violation of the lease, refusal to sign a materially similar lease, and refusal to provide access.
No-fault causes include owner or close family move-in when the lease permits it, withdrawal from the rental market under Ellis, a government order to vacate, or substantial remodel requiring permits and at least 30 days of displacement. For any no-fault termination the landlord must pay relocation assistance equal to one month of rent or waive the final month of rent, and must serve the written offer within 15 days of the notice. Tenants in San Bernardino can file complaints with the California Department of Justice Housing Strike Force or pursue civil remedies including treble damages for wrongful eviction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does San Bernardino have its own just cause ordinance separate from state law?
Which rentals are exempt from just cause in San Bernardino?
How much relocation assistance do I get for an owner move-in?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Bernardino
California rules heatmap·Compare San Bernardino to another location·View the California rental property rules overview
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Just Cause Eviction in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle just cause eviction.