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

Chapter 5.100 of the Marin County Code, adopted by Ordinance No. 3705 in 2018, applies to unincorporated-area rental properties with at least three dwelling units, including multifamily buildings, single-room-occupancy structures, and live-work spaces rented under California Civil Code Section 1940, whether or not the residential use is a legally conforming one. It exempts government-owned or subsidized units where the tenant's rent stays at or under 30 percent of household income, developments where 49 percent or more of units are deed-restricted affordable housing, accessory and junior accessory dwelling units under Development Code Chapter 22.56, and units occupied by a resident property manager.

Before serving a notice of termination, a landlord must hold a valid business license under Chapter 5.54, have previously given the tenant the notice of rights required by Section 5.95.080, and, for any notice served after June 1, 2019, have registered the dwelling unit under Section 5.100.080. The notice itself must state one specific cause under Section 5.100.040, and a copy must reach the Community Development Agency (CDA) director within ten calendar days of delivery to the tenant.

'For cause' grounds include nonpayment after a three-day pay-or-quit notice, material lease breach, conviction for illegal use of the unit, criminal threats, and sustained nuisance behavior after a written cure notice. 'No fault' grounds cover permanent removal from the rental market under Government Code Sections 7060-7060.7, an owner or their parent or child moving in as a primary residence within three months and staying at least a year, and substantial health-and-safety rehabilitation that cannot be done with tenants in place.