Santa Clara County, CA Rental Property Rules: Relocation Assistance (2026)
Key Facts
- State law
- Cal. Civ. Code §1946.2
- Standard relocation
- One month of rent
- Ellis Act notice
- 120 days; 1 year senior/disabled
- County code
- No SCC unincorporated rule
- Stronger cities
- San Jose; Mountain View
Summary
Santa Clara County has no countywide relocation ordinance for unincorporated areas. State law controls: AB-1482 requires one month of rent for no-fault terminations and the Ellis Act adds extra pay for elderly or disabled tenants.
(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 rental units default to California Civil Code §1946.2 (the Tenant Protection Act of 2019, AB-1482) for no-fault relocation. Landlords ending a tenancy for owner move-in, substantial remodel, demolition, or government order must pay one month of the tenant's rent or waive the final month's rent. Withdrawing units from the rental market triggers extra duties under the Ellis Act, Cal. Gov. Code §7060, including a one-year notice for elderly or disabled tenants and right-of-first-refusal language. Several Santa Clara cities (San Jose, Mountain View, Cupertino) have stronger local rules that override these baselines inside their borders.
Violations & Fines
Failing to pay relocation or include the AB-1482 notice voids the eviction and exposes the landlord to actual damages, attorney fees, and treble damages where bad faith is proven.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much relocation pay do I get in unincorporated Santa Clara County?
Does the Ellis Act apply to my landlord?
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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