Alameda County · Renting & eviction

Renting in Alameda County: the rules that apply

In unincorporated Alameda County, the county adds just-cause protection, relocation pay for no-fault evictions, and filing of termination notices with the county. Its rent limit covers only mobilehome park spaces; state law sets the cap for covered units.

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Key points

Rent cap: State law caps rent increases on covered units at 8.8% for August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027; the county's 4% yearly limit covers only mobilehome spaces.
Just cause: County rule, unincorporated areas: just cause is required after 12 months of lawful occupancy, using only the reasons in state just-cause law.
Relocation pay: County rule: no-fault evictions require 2 months' current rent, at most $10,000 per household unless that is under 1 month's rent.
90-day notice: County rule: no-fault evictions of households with a child under 18 or an elderly, disabled or lower-income member need at least 90 days' notice.
Notice to end: State law: 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than 1 year.
Retaliation: The county addresses retaliation in its Rental Housing Dispute Resolution Process (§ 3.68.090).

Each rule below is marked Alameda County code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Alameda County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Alameda County have their own codes and their own pages.

Rent increases

Alameda County code What Alameda County's code adds
Annual increase limit	No more than 4% a year. Applies: Mobilehome park space rent only; a park owner may ask a hearing officer for a larger increase; vacancy increases follow separate rules. § 3.32.050 · code text The annual space rent shall not be increased by more than four percent.
Units covered	Mobilehome spaces. § 3.32.050 · code text The annual space rent shall not be increased by more than four percent.
How often rent can go up	No more than 1 nonstandard adjustment request in the 12 months after the last space rent increase took effect. Applies: Mobilehome park spaces only; park owner requests for more than the standard increase. § 3.32.060 · code text However, no park owner may request more than one adjustment to space rents during the twelve (12) month period following the first full day the last space rent increase is put into effect.
Petitions and pass-throughs	A park owner may request more than the standard increase; the hearing officer may approve, deny, modify or cap it. Applies: Mobilehome park spaces only; proof by clear and convincing evidence; capital-improvement parts stay out of base rent, charged only during useful life. § 3.32.060 · code text A park owner may request an adjustment in excess of the space rent increase authorized by Section 3.32.050 by conforming to the procedures set forth in this section, and any further procedures as established in the rent review procedures.

Also in Alameda County's code: Mobilehome Park Rent Review Procedures (Ch. 3.32) — mobilehome park spaces only. This page does not summarize it yet.

CA state law Underneath, California law still applies. Rent cap right now: 8.8% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027 (5% plus 3.8% inflation) (Civ. Code § 1947.12(a)(1), (g)). California's statewide rent cap — the full state rule →

Eviction and just cause

Alameda County code What Alameda County's code adds
When protection starts	After 12 months in the unit. Applies: The tenant has lived in the unit continuously and lawfully. § 3.70.050 · code text After a tenant has continuously and lawfully occupied a rental unit for twelve (12) months After 24 months. Applies: Adults were added to the lease before an existing tenant reached 12 months; at least 1 tenant has lived there continuously and lawfully 24 months. § 3.70.050 · code text if any additional adult tenants are added to the lease before an existing tenant has continuously and lawfully occupied the rental unit for twelve (12) months, then if at least one tenant has continuously and lawfully occupied the rental unit for twenty-four (24) months
Allowed at-fault reasons	Only the at-fault reasons in state just-cause law, as amended. Applies: Tenants with just-cause protection, generally after 12 months of occupancy. § 3.70.060 · code text The only just causes for eviction pursuant to Section 3.70.050 shall be those enumerated in Civil Code Section 1946.2(b), as amended.
Allowed no-fault reasons	Only the no-fault reasons in state just-cause law, as amended. Applies: Tenants with just-cause protection, generally after 12 months of occupancy. § 3.70.060 · code text The only just causes for eviction pursuant to Section 3.70.050 shall be those enumerated in Civil Code Section 1946.2(b), as amended.

CA state law Underneath, California law still applies. Just cause required: After 12 months of lawful occupancy, the owner may terminate only for a just cause stated in the notice (Civ. Code § 1946.2(a)). Just-cause eviction in California — the full state rule →

Relocation payments

Alameda County code What Alameda County's code adds
Amount	2 months of current rent, but no more than $10,000 per household, unless $10,000 is less than 1 month's rent. Applies: No-fault eviction; separate from the security deposit. § 3.70.070 · code text Each tenant household receiving a no-fault eviction notice shall receive a sum equal to the value of two months of the current rent amount.
Exemptions	No further relocation pay for the same no-fault eviction of the same unit within 180 days of the paid notice. Applies: The landlord already paid relocation assistance with a termination notice. § 3.70.070 · code text A landlord who pays relocation assistance, as required by this section, in conjunction with a termination notice, is not obligated to pay subsequent relocation expenses for the same no-fault eviction under Section 3.70.060 for the same rental unit within 180 days of the notice that included the required relocation payment.
When relocation is owed	Receiving a termination notice for a no-fault eviction. § 3.70.070 · code text Each tenant household receiving a termination notice for a no-fault eviction shall be entitled to receive relocation assistance from the landlord, in the amounts specified in subsection C. of this Section 3.70.070.

CA state law Underneath, California law still applies. No-fault eviction relocation assistance: One month's rent (as relocation payment or rent waiver), paid within 15 calendar days of the notice (Civ. Code § 1946.2(d)(3)(A)). Relocation under California's just-cause law — the full state rule →

Notices

Alameda County code What Alameda County's code adds
Filing a copy with the city	Yes—file a copy with the CDA director or designee within 3 days after serving the tenant. Applies: All termination notices. § 3.70.080 · code text A copy of the termination notice issued to a tenant shall be filed by the landlord with the CDA director or the director's designee within three days after the service of the termination notice on the tenant.
What a notice must say	The reason for ending the tenancy. Applies: All termination notices. § 3.70.080 · code text The reason for the termination of tenancy in accordance with Section 3.70.060; An explanation of the right to relocation payments and their amount. Applies: Termination notice for a no-fault eviction. § 3.70.080 · code text If the notice is for a no-fault eviction, an explanation of the right to and amount of relocation assistance payments pursuant to Section 3.70.070; A return-right statement, the right of first refusal, the repairs, estimated repair time, and expected ready date. Applies: No-fault eviction to substantially remodel. § 3.70.080 · code text and a description of the right of first refusal, a description of all repairs to be performed, and an estimate of the time required to complete the repairs and the date upon which it is expected that the rental unit will be ready for habitation.
Notice to end a tenancy	At least 90 days before the termination date. Applies: No-fault eviction of a household with a child under 18, a disabled or elderly tenant, or lower-income person; unless a longer notice period applies. § 3.70.080 · code text shall serve the termination notice not less than ninety (90) days prior to the proposed termination date.

CA state law The statewide rule underneath
Notice of a rent increase	At least 30 days' notice for an increase of 10% or less; at least 90 days for an increase of more than 10% Applies: The 10% is measured against the rent charged at any time in the 12 months before the increase, counting all increases in that period together. Civ. Code § 827(b)(2), (b)(3)(A)
Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy (landlord)	60 days' notice; 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than one year Applies: Where the unit is covered by just cause (Civ. Code § 1946.2) or a local ordinance, the notice must also state a qualifying cause. Civ. Code § 1946.1(b), (c)
Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy (tenant)	At least as long as the rental period (one month for a month-to-month tenancy) Civ. Code § 1946.1(b)
30-day notice when the unit is sold to an owner-occupant	30 days' notice when a separately sellable unit is in escrow to a natural person who will live there for at least a year Applies: Notice within 120 days of opening escrow, given once, and all § 1946.1(d) conditions met. Civ. Code § 1946.1(d)
Notice to pay rent or quit	3 days, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and judicial holidays, stating the amount due and how to pay Applies: May be served any time within one year after the rent became due. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161(2)
Notice to cure a lease violation or quit	3 days, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and judicial holidays, to perform the broken lease term or leave Code Civ. Proc. § 1161(3)
No fee for serving notices	A landlord may not charge the tenant a fee for serving or posting a notice Civ. Code § 1946.1(i)

Security deposits

CA state law Alameda County has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Security deposit cap: One month's rent, on top of the first month's rent (Civ. Code § 1950.5(c)(1), (c)(6)). Deposit return deadline: 21 calendar days after the tenant moves out, with an itemized statement of any deductions (Civ. Code § 1950.5(h)(1)). California security deposit law — the full state rule →

Retaliation

Alameda County has a related local rule: Rental Housing Dispute Resolution Process (§ 3.68.090). This page does not summarize it yet; read the text in the library. Where it does not apply, the state rule below does.

CA state law California law
Retaliation protection period	For 180 days after a tenant complains about habitability (to the landlord or an agency), the landlord may not evict, raise rent or cut services in retaliation Applies: The tenant must not be in default on rent, and may invoke this no more than once in any 12-month period. A landlord who states a good-faith ground in the notice may still act. Civ. Code § 1942.5(a), (b)
Retaliation damages	Actual damages plus punitive damages of $100 to $2,000 per retaliatory act (fraud, oppression or malice) Civ. Code § 1942.5(h)(2)

Harassment and lockouts

CA state law Alameda County has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Lockouts and self-help eviction banned: A landlord may not change locks, remove doors or windows, or remove the tenant's belongings to force a tenant out (Civ. Code § 789.3(b)). Utility shutoffs banned: A landlord may not cut off water, heat, electricity, gas or other utilities to force a tenant out (Civ. Code § 789.3(a)). Tenant harassment and lockouts in California — the full state rule →

Repairs and habitability

CA state law Alameda County has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Duty to keep the unit habitable: The landlord must deliver a unit fit to live in and repair conditions that make it untenantable (Civ. Code § 1941). Repair and deduct: A tenant may make a repair the landlord neglects and deduct the cost from rent, up to one month's rent, no more than twice in any 12 months (Civ. Code § 1942(a)). Habitability and repair-and-deduct — the full state rule →

Landlord entry

CA state law Alameda County has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Landlord entry notice: Reasonable written notice, presumed to be 24 hours, and entry only during normal business hours (Civ. Code § 1954(d)(1), (e)). Landlord entry notice in California — the full state rule →

Hotel and short-term rental tax

Alameda County code What Alameda County's code adds
Stays not taxed	Stays of more than 30 consecutive days are not taxed. § 2.132.040 · code text This tax shall apply to the privilege of occupying a room or rooms, or other living space, in a hotel, inn, tourist home or house, motel, or other lodging unless the occupancy is for more than thirty (30) consecutive days.
Tax rate	10% of the cost of the room or living space rental. § 2.132.050 · code text The tax shall be imposed at the rate of ten percent the cost of the rental of the room or rooms or living space subject to the tax.
Who collects it	Whoever is paid for or provides the room collects the tax from the guest when rent is collected. § 2.132.080 · code text The tax shall be collected from the party liable for the tax by the party receiving payment for or otherwise providing the room or rooms or other living space.

Other Alameda County rules on this

Alameda County's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.

Mobilehome Park Rent Review Procedures (Ch. 3.32) — mobilehome park spaces only
Rental Housing Dispute Resolution Process (§ 3.68.090)

Who this affects

TenantsLandlordsProperty managers

Frequently asked questions

How much can rent go up in Alameda County?

State law caps rent increases on covered units at 8.8% for August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027; the county's 4% yearly limit covers only mobilehome spaces.

Does a landlord in Alameda County need a reason to evict?

County rule, unincorporated areas: just cause is required after 12 months of lawful occupancy, using only the reasons in state just-cause law.

Does an Alameda County landlord have to pay relocation?

County rule: no-fault evictions require 2 months' current rent, at most $10,000 per household unless that is under 1 month's rent.

How much notice does an Alameda County landlord have to give?

County rule: no-fault evictions of households with a child under 18 or an elderly, disabled or lower-income member need at least 90 days' notice. State law: 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than 1 year.

How much can an Alameda County landlord charge for a security deposit?

Alameda County has no local rule on this that we found (checked October 2026); state law applies: One month's rent, on top of the first month's rent (Civ. Code § 1950.5(c)(1), (c)(6)).

What is the hotel tax on short-term rentals in Alameda County?

Alameda County's code: Stays of more than 30 consecutive days are not taxed. (§ 2.132.040); 10% of the cost of the room or living space rental. (§ 2.132.050).

General information, not legal advice.

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