Santa Cruz County, CA Rental Property Rules: Just Cause Eviction (2026)
Just cause eviction rules in Santa Cruz County, CA, sometimes called tenant protection or "for cause" eviction ordinances, list the specific legal reasons a landlord can end a tenancy.
Key Facts
- Local Ordinance
- None - state law only
- State Law
- AB 1482 / Civ Code 1946.2
- Triggers
- Tenancies 12+ months
- No-Fault Relocation
- 1 month rent
- Rent Cap
- 5% + CPI, max 10%
Summary
Unincorporated Santa Cruz County has no local just-cause eviction ordinance; California's statewide Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482, Civ Code 1946.2) applies. AB 1482 requires 'just cause' to terminate tenancies of 12+ months and caps annual rent increases at 5% + CPI (max 10%) for most rentals more than 15 years old.
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
Unincorporated Santa Cruz County does not have a local just-cause-for-eviction ordinance distinct from state law; the City of Santa Cruz also lacks its own permanent just-cause ordinance after the 2018 Measure M (Rent Control & Tenant Protections) was rejected by voters and the City's 2019 emergency just-cause ordinance expired 12/31/2019. The applicable framework is therefore the California Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482, codified at Cal. 12), effective 1/1/2020. ) or no-fault (owner/family move-in, substantial remodel, withdrawal from market under Ellis Act, government order) - to terminate any tenancy of 12 months or more.
No-fault terminations require one month's rent in relocation assistance or a one-month rent waiver. AB 1482 also caps annual rent increases at 5% plus the regional CPI, with a 10% absolute maximum. Exempted are single-family homes owned by non-corporate landlords (with proper notice), condos similarly owned, new construction under 15 years, owner-occupied duplexes, and deed-restricted affordable housing. 2(e)) must be in every lease.
Violations & Fines
Wrongful eviction violations under AB 1482 expose landlords to tenant suits for actual damages, treble damages for willful violations, and attorneys' fees under Civ Code 1946.2(h). Failure to provide the AB 1482 written notice is a defense to eviction. Local Code Compliance does not enforce AB 1482; tenants must sue civilly or seek help from organizations like the Santa Cruz County Conflict Resolution Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Santa Cruz County have just-cause eviction?
Is my rental exempt from AB 1482?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Cruz County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Cruz County to another location·View the California rental property rules overview
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