Richmond, CA Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)

Richmond operates one of the strongest local rental regulation programs in California under the Fair Rent, Just Cause for Eviction, and Homeowner Protection Ordinance, adopted as Measure L by voters in November 2016 and codified in Richmond Municipal Code Chapter 11.100. All residential rental units not otherwise exempt must be registered annually with the Richmond Rent Program. Covered units include most non-exempt rentals built before February 1, 1995 (the Costa-Hawkins cutoff for full rent control), though just-cause eviction protections extend to additional units. Registration includes providing tenant contact information, rent history, and paying an annual rental housing fee (set annually by the Rent Board, paid per unit). Failure to register can result in denial of rent increases, inability to pursue evictions, and civil penalties. Landlords must provide tenants with a written lease, disclose the Richmond Rent Program annually, and provide required notices at tenancy start. AB 1482 (statewide Tenant Protection Act of 2019) provides additional baseline protections including just-cause eviction and anti-gouging caps. Relocation assistance is required for no-fault evictions.