Santa Paula, CA Rental Property Rules: Just Cause Eviction (2026)
Just cause eviction rules in Santa Paula, CA, sometimes called tenant protection or "for cause" eviction ordinances, list the specific legal reasons a landlord can end a tenancy.
Key Facts
- Protection Threshold
- 12+ months of tenancy
- At-Fault Causes
- Nonpayment, breach, nuisance, criminal
- No-Fault Causes
- Owner move-in, Ellis Act, renovation
- Relocation Assistance
- 1 month's rent for no-fault
- State Law
- Civil Code §1946.2
Summary
California's Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482) provides just cause eviction protections in Santa Paula for tenants who have occupied a rental for 12+ months. Landlords must have a valid reason ('at-fault' or 'no-fault') to terminate a tenancy and must provide relocation assistance for no-fault evictions.
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, 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
Under AB 1482 (Civil Code §1946.2), tenants in Santa Paula who have occupied a rental unit for 12 or more months are protected from eviction without just cause. At-fault causes include nonpayment of rent, breach of lease, nuisance, criminal activity, and refusal to allow lawful entry. No-fault causes include owner move-in, withdrawal from rental market (Ellis Act), substantial renovation, and compliance with government order. For no-fault evictions, landlords must provide either one month's rent as relocation assistance or waive the final month's rent. The same exemptions as rent control apply: single-family homes owned by individuals with proper notice, properties under 15 years old, and owner-occupied duplexes. Tenants who believe they have been wrongfully evicted can file a complaint or pursue legal action.
Violations & Fines
Eviction without just cause is void. Tenants may seek reinstatement and damages. Retaliatory evictions carry penalties of $1,000–$2,500 per violation. Failure to provide required relocation assistance for no-fault evictions subjects the landlord to additional damages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my landlord evict me without a reason in Santa Paula?
What relocation assistance am I owed for a no-fault eviction?
Are all rentals covered by just cause eviction?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Paula
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Paula to another location·View the California rental property rules overview
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Just Cause Eviction in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Ventura County handle just cause eviction.