Avalon · Renting & eviction
Renting in Avalon: the rules that apply
Avalon has no rent control or just-cause rule of its own, so state law sets the rent cap, eviction causes, notices and deposits; the cap and just-cause rule apply to covered units only. Its Nontransient Rental Inspections chapter covers nontransient rentals only.
Key points
- Rent cap: State law caps covered units at 5% plus inflation or 10%, whichever is lower, over any 12 months: 8.7% from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
- Just cause: Under state law, after 12 months of occupancy, a landlord may end a covered tenancy only for a just cause stated in the notice.
- Ending a tenancy: State law requires 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than 1 year.
- Relocation pay: For no-fault evictions from covered units, state law requires 1 month's rent, as payment or rent waiver, within 15 calendar days of notice.
- Deposits: State law caps deposits at 1 month's rent, or 2 for qualifying small landlords, returned within 21 calendar days after move-out.
- Lockouts: Avalon has a Nontransient Rental Inspections chapter for nontransient rentals only; state law bars lockouts and utility shutoffs to force tenants out.
Each rule below is marked Avalon code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (extracted October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Rent increases
CA state law Avalon has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Rent cap right now: 8.7% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027 (5% plus 3.7% inflation) (Civ. Code § 1947.12(a)(1), (g)). California's statewide rent cap — the full state rule →
Eviction and just cause
CA state law Avalon has no rule of its own on this, so California law 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
CA state law Avalon has no rule of its own on this, so California law 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
We found no Avalon rule on this in the Avalon Municipal Code (extracted October 2026). The state rule below applies.
| 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. |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| 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) |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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 |
| No fee for serving notices | A landlord may not charge the tenant a fee for serving or posting a notice |
Security deposits
CA state law Avalon 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
CA state law Avalon has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. 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 (Civ. Code § 1942.5(a), (b)). Retaliatory eviction in California — the full state rule →
Harassment and lockouts
Avalon has a related local rule: Nontransient Rental Inspections (§ 5-40.130) — nontransient rentals only. This page does not summarize it yet; read the text in the library. Where it does not apply, the state rule below does.
| 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 |
|---|---|
| Utility shutoffs banned | A landlord may not cut off water, heat, electricity, gas or other utilities to force a tenant out |
| Lockout / shutoff penalty | Actual damages plus up to $100 per day of violation, at least $250 per cause of action, and attorney's fees |
Repairs and habitability
CA state law Avalon 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 Avalon 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 →
Short-term rentals
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Hotel and short-term rental tax
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Other Avalon rules on this
Avalon's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Nontransient Rental Inspections (§ 5-40.130) — nontransient rentals only
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much can rent go up in Avalon?
State law caps covered units at 5% plus inflation or 10%, whichever is lower, over any 12 months: 8.7% from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
Does a landlord in Avalon need a reason to evict?
Under state law, after 12 months of occupancy, a landlord may end a covered tenancy only for a just cause stated in the notice.
Does an Avalon landlord have to pay relocation?
For no-fault evictions from covered units, state law requires 1 month's rent, as payment or rent waiver, within 15 calendar days of notice.
How much notice does an Avalon landlord have to give?
State law requires 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than 1 year.
How much can an Avalon landlord charge for a security deposit?
State law caps deposits at 1 month's rent, or 2 for qualifying small landlords, returned within 21 calendar days after move-out.
Can I rent out my home short-term in Avalon?
Avalon's code: No. These units may not be rented for fewer than 30 days. (Housing units in affordable-housing projects that received a density bonus.) (§ 9-11.107).
What is the hotel tax on short-term rentals in Avalon?
Avalon's code: Yes; rental platforms must report each rental's address to the city monthly, by the 20th of the next month. (Applies to rentals listed on a short-term rental platform; effective 9-3-2026.) (§ 3-3.422); 12% of the rent. (Applies to hotel stays.) (§ 3-3.403).
General information, not legal advice.
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