Sonora, CA Rental Property Rules: Just Cause Eviction (2026)
Just cause eviction rules in Sonora, CA, sometimes called tenant protection or "for cause" eviction ordinances, list the specific legal reasons a landlord can end a tenancy.
Key Facts
- State Law
- AB 1482 just cause provisions
- Applies After
- 12 months of tenancy
- Relocation Assist
- One month rent (no-fault)
- Local Ordinance
- None beyond state law
Summary
Sonora follows California's statewide just cause eviction protections under AB 1482. Landlords cannot evict tenants who have occupied a unit for 12 months or more without a specified just cause, which includes at-fault reasons like nonpayment and no-fault reasons like owner move-in.
(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 the 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” includes either of the following:
(1) At-fault just cause, which is 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.
Full Breakdown
California AB 1482 requires just cause for eviction of tenants who have occupied a rental unit for 12 months or more (or all tenants in a household if any tenant has lived there 24 months or more). At-fault just causes include nonpayment of rent, breach of lease, nuisance, criminal activity, and refusal to allow owner access. No-fault just causes include owner or family member move-in, withdrawal from the rental market (Ellis Act), substantial renovation, and government order. For no-fault evictions, landlords must provide relocation assistance equal to one month's rent or waive the final month's rent. Sonora has no local just cause ordinance beyond AB 1482. Exemptions mirror rent control exemptions under the same law.
Violations & Fines
Evictions without just cause may be challenged in court. Landlords found violating AB 1482 may face damages, attorney fees, and penalties of up to three times actual damages for bad faith violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Sonora landlord evict without cause?
What counts as just cause for eviction in Sonora?
What relocation assistance must Sonora landlords provide?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sonora
California rules heatmap·Compare Sonora to another location·View the California rental property rules overview
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Just Cause Eviction in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Tuolumne County handle just cause eviction.