Stockton, CA Rental Property Rules: Just Cause Eviction (2026)
Just cause eviction rules in Stockton, 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 eviction provisions
- Tenure Threshold
- 12 months of occupancy
- At-Fault Causes
- Nonpayment, lease violations, nuisance
- No-Fault Causes
- Owner move-in, renovation, withdrawal
- Relocation
- One month's rent for no-fault evictions
Summary
Under California's AB 1482, landlords in Stockton must have just cause to evict tenants who have occupied the unit for 12 months or more. At-fault causes include nonpayment of rent, lease violations, and nuisance behavior. No-fault causes include owner move-in, substantial renovation, and withdrawal from the rental market. No-fault evictions require relocation assistance equal to one month's rent. Stockton does not have additional local just-cause protections.
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.
Full Breakdown
Stockton may enforce just cause eviction protections that require landlords to have a legitimate reason to evict tenants. Valid causes typically include non-payment of rent, lease violations, nuisance behavior, illegal activity, owner move-in, and substantial renovation requiring vacancy. No-fault evictions for owner move-in or renovation may require relocation assistance payments. Tenants have the right to contest evictions in court. Just cause requirements often apply after a tenant has occupied the unit for a minimum period, typically 12 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my landlord evict me without cause in Stockton?
What relocation assistance am I entitled to?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Stockton
California rules heatmap·Compare Stockton to another location·View the California rental property rules overview
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Just Cause Eviction in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Joaquin County handle just cause eviction.