Sacramento, CA Rental Property Rules: Tenant Anti-Harassment (2026)
Key Facts
- Code section
- Title 5 Ch. 5.156
- Self-help eviction
- Prohibited
- State parallel
- Civ §1940.2
- Remedies
- Civil + injunctive
- Forum
- Civil court
Summary
Sacramento prohibits landlord conduct intended to force tenants out, including utility shut-offs, lock changes, threats, and constructive eviction tactics, with civil penalties under the Tenant Protection & Relief Act.
1940.2. (a) It is unlawful for a landlord to do any of the following for the purpose of influencing a tenant to vacate a dwelling: (1) Engage in conduct that violates subdivision (a) of Section 484 of the Penal Code. (2) Engage in conduct that violates Section 518 of the Penal Code. (3) Use, or threaten to use, force, willful threats, or menacing conduct constituting a course of conduct that interferes with the tenant’s quiet enjoyment of the premises in violation of Section 1927 that would create an apprehension of harm in a reasonable person. Nothing in this paragraph requires a tenant to be actually or constructively evicted in order to obtain relief. (4) Commit a significant and intentional violation of Section 1954. (5) Threaten to dis
Full Breakdown
Title 5 Chapter 5.156 includes anti-harassment provisions barring landlords from acts intended to coerce tenants into vacating or surrendering rights. Prohibited conduct includes interrupting essential services such as water, electricity, and gas; changing locks or removing doors; abusive or threatening communications; bad-faith entry without proper notice; refusing to accept rent; and retaliatory rent increases. Tenants may report violations to the City's rental housing office and pursue private civil actions for damages and injunctive relief. Sacramento's framework parallels Civil Code 1940.2's prohibitions on landlord self-help eviction with stronger local remedies.
Violations & Fines
Self-help evictions, utility shut-offs, lock changes, or harassment intended to force a tenant out trigger civil penalties, restoration orders, and exposure to actual damages plus attorney's fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I shut off utilities if rent is unpaid?
What about repeated unannounced inspections?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento
California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento to another location·View the California rental property rules overview
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