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

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 the tenancy without just cause, which shall be stated in the written notice to terminate tenancy. (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. (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. (2) No-fault just cause, which includes any of the following: (A) (i) Intent to occupy the residential real property by the owner or their spouse, domestic partner, children, grandchildren, parents, or grandparents. (B) Withdrawal of the residential real property from the rental market. (C) (i) The owner complying with any of the following: (I) An order issued by a government agency or court relating to habitability that necessitates vacating the residential real property. (II) An order issued by a government agency or court to vacate the residential real property. (III) A local ordinance that necessitates vacating the residential real property. (D) (i) Intent to demolish or to substantially remodel the residential real property.