Walnut Creek, CA Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)

Walnut Creek does not require a rental property registration program for long-term residential rentals beyond the standard business license requirement. Landlords renting residential property in Walnut Creek must obtain and maintain a City business license and pay the applicable business license tax. Short-term rentals (under 30 days) may have separate requirements. At the state level, California AB 1482 (the Tenant Protection Act of 2019) applies to most rental properties in Walnut Creek and provides just-cause eviction protections after 12 months of tenancy and caps annual rent increases at 5% plus CPI (maximum 10% total) for covered units. AB 1482 exempts single-family homes not owned by corporations/REITs (with proper disclosure) and units built within the last 15 years. Landlords must provide written AB 1482 disclosure to tenants. California Civil Code 1946.2 and 1947.12 codify the just cause and rent cap provisions. Walnut Creek does not have local rent control beyond the state AB 1482 framework. Security deposits are capped at state-level limits (updated by AB 12 in 2024 to 1 month for most rentals).