Just cause eviction rules in Santa Rosa, CA — sometimes called tenant protection or "for cause" eviction ordinances — list the specific legal reasons a landlord can end a tenancy.
On September 17, 2024, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance No. 6496, the Residential Tenancy Protections Ordinance, which applies to rental units in unincorporated Sonoma County. The ordinance augments the statewide California Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482, Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.2) by extending just-cause protections from day one of any covered tenancy, expanding coverage to income-restricted housing, narrowing the rent-nonpayment trigger, and increasing no-fault relocation payments.
Ord. 6496 builds on AB 1482 rather than replacing it. Key local enhancements: (1) Just-cause protections apply from day one of any covered tenancy (state law normally requires 12 months of occupancy or 24 months for some adult co-tenants). (2) Coverage is extended to tenants in income-restricted (deed-restricted affordable) properties, which AB 1482 generally exempts. (3) An eviction for nonpayment of rent may only be initiated where the past-due rent exceeds 30 days of rent, and this trigger may be invoked no more than twice per calendar year. (4) Relocation payments for no-fault evictions must be the greater of actual rent or Fair Market Rent (HUD FMR), exceeding AB 1482's one-month-of-rent floor. (5) ALL landlords in unincorporated Sonoma County — whether covered by just cause or not — must provide tenants with prescribed termination information in English and Spanish within 3 days of giving notice. (6) The Board of Supervisors may invoke additional countywide eviction protections during a declared state of emergency.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.2(g), failure to comply with just-cause requirements renders a termination notice void and creates an affirmative defense in any unlawful detainer. Ord. 6496's added local notice and relocation duties carry the same defensive consequence, plus exposure to civil liability for actual damages and, where bad faith is shown, treble damages and attorney's fees. Enforcement is administered by the County Administrator's Office; tenants may also pursue private claims.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Santa Rosa, CA
Santa Rosa addresses barking dogs under its animal control and nuisance provisions. Persistent barking that disturbs neighbors is considered a public nuisanc...
Santa Rosa, CA
Santa Rosa regulates noise under City Code Chapter 17-16. Unreasonable noise that disturbs the peace of residential neighborhoods is prohibited, with stricte...
Santa Rosa, CA
Santa Rosa City Code Chapter 11-44 authorizes the City to designate residential permit-parking districts where nonresidents are restricted from long-term str...
Santa Rosa, CA
Santa Rosa has no city-wide ordinance banning overnight street parking on residential streets. The 72-hour limit and posted time-limited zones apply. The Cit...
Santa Rosa, CA
Santa Rosa City Code Chapter 11-28 prohibits parking any commercial vehicle, truck, or trailer over 10,000 pounds GVWR on any street within a residence or bu...
Santa Rosa, CA
Santa Rosa City Code prohibits parking any vehicle on a public street or alley for more than 72 consecutive hours. Vehicles must be in running condition and ...
See how Santa Rosa's just cause eviction rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.