Santa Clara County, CA Rental Property Rules: No-Fault Evictions (2026)
Key Facts
- State law
- Cal. Civ. Code §1946.2
- Ellis Act
- Cal. Gov. Code §7060
- Relocation
- One month of rent
- County code
- No SCC unincorporated rule
- Treble damages
- Available for bad-faith filings
Summary
Unincorporated Santa Clara County applies California's AB-1482 no-fault grounds: owner move-in, substantial remodel, demolition, government order, and Ellis Act withdrawal. Each path requires written notice, statutory relocation, and good-faith intent.
(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 a tenancy without just cause, which shall be stated in the written notice to terminate tenancy... (b)(2) No-fault just cause, which means any of the following: (A)(i) Intent to occupy the residential real property by the owner or the owner's spouse, domestic partner, children, grandchildren, parents, or grandparents for a minimum of 12 continuous months as the person's primary residence.
Full Breakdown
Unincorporated Santa Clara County has no separate just-cause ordinance, so Civil Code §1946.2 (AB-1482) lists the available no-fault grounds: bona fide owner or qualifying-relative move-in, substantial remodel that requires the unit to be vacant for at least 30 days, intent to demolish, compliance with government or court order, and Ellis Act withdrawal under Cal. Gov. Code §7060. Each path requires written notice, the AB-1482 disclosure language, and payment of one month of rent or a waiver of the final month. Owner move-in further requires the landlord or relative to occupy the unit as a primary residence for a continuous period and serve the proper notice form.
Violations & Fines
A sham no-fault notice voids the eviction, exposes the landlord to wrongful-eviction damages, and (under §1946.2(h)) treble damages plus attorney fees where bad faith or false grounds are proven.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are single-family homes covered by AB-1482 no-fault rules?
Can the landlord skip relocation if I cooperate?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clara County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Clara County to another location·View the California rental property rules overview
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