Buena Park · Renting & eviction

Renting in Buena Park: the rules that apply

Buena Park adds its own just-cause, relocation and notice rules on top of state law. Its Just Cause Tenant Protections chapter covers rent increases only by requiring notice to tenants of the state rent limits, so the state cap applies to covered units.

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Key points

Just cause: Buena Park requires a just cause to end a tenancy after the tenant has lived there continuously and lawfully for 12 months.
Relocation pay: Buena Park requires 1 month's rent for a no-fault eviction, or $4,500 or 2 months' rent, whichever is greater, for demolition or substantial remodel.
State rent cap: State law caps increases on covered units at 8.7% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
No-fault notice: In Buena Park, a no-fault termination notice must tell the tenant of the right to relocation help or a rent waiver.
Ending notice: State law requires 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than one year.
Rent-limit notice: Buena Park requires notices or lease clauses about California's rent-increase limits to be in at least 12-point type.

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

Rent increases

Buena Park has a related local rule: Just Cause Tenant Protections (§ 8.60.060) — notice to tenants of state rent limits only. 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
Rent cap right now	8.7% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027 (5% plus 3.7% inflation) Applies: Covered units only. Inflation is the BLS consumer price index for the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim area, April to April, as the statute requires; the figure is recomputed every year. Civ. Code § 1947.12(a)(1), (g)
Statewide rent increase cap (AB 1482)	5% plus the change in cost of living, or 10%, whichever is lower, over any 12 months Applies: Covered units only; measured against the lowest rent charged in the prior 12 months. Civ. Code § 1947.12(a)(1)
Number of rent increases	No more than two increases in any 12-month period Civ. Code § 1947.12(a)(2)
Rent cap — new construction exemption	Housing with a certificate of occupancy issued within the previous 15 years is exempt (rolling) Applies: Mobilehomes excepted. Civ. Code § 1947.12(d)(4)
Rent cap — single-family home or condo exemption	A home or condo that can be sold on its own is exempt when the owner is not a REIT, a corporation or an LLC with a corporate member, and the tenant was given the written exemption notice Applies: The same exemption applies to the just-cause rule (§ 1946.2(e)(8)). Civ. Code § 1947.12(d)(5)
Rent cap — owner-occupied duplex exemption	A duplex in one building is exempt when the owner lived in the other unit at the start of the tenancy and still does, unless either unit is an ADU or JADU Civ. Code § 1947.12(d)(6)
New tenancy resets the rent	When no prior tenant remains, the owner may set the initial rent; the cap applies to later increases Civ. Code § 1947.12(b)
Rent cap sunset	§ 1947.12 is repealed on January 1, 2030 unless extended Civ. Code § 1947.12(o)

Eviction and just cause

Buena Park code What Buena Park's code adds
When protection starts	12 months. Applies: The tenant has lived there continuously and lawfully. § 8.60.030 · code text after a tenant has continuously and lawfully occupied a residential real property for twelve months, the owner of the residential real property shall not terminate the tenancy without just cause 12 months or more for every tenant. Applies: When adult tenants are added to the lease before an existing tenant reaches 24 months of continuous, lawful occupancy. § 8.60.030 · code text All of the tenants have continuously and lawfully occupied the residential real property for twelve months or more. 24 months or more for at least 1 tenant. Applies: When adult tenants are added to the lease before an existing tenant reaches 24 months of continuous, lawful occupancy. § 8.60.030 · code text One or more tenants have continuously and lawfully occupied the residential real property for twenty-four months or more.
Allowed at-fault reasons	Default in the payment of rent; breach of a material lease term; nuisance; waste; refusal to execute a qualifying lease extension or renewal; criminal activity or criminal threat directed at the owner or agent; unlawful assignment or subletting; refusal to allow authorized entry; unlawful use of the premises; failure of an employee, agent, or licensee to vacate after termination; failure to deliver possession after notice or accepted surrender § 8.60.030 · code text "At-fault just cause" includes any of the following:
Allowed no-fault reasons	The owner, or their spouse, partner, child, grandchild, parent or grandparent, plans to move in. § 8.60.030 · code text Intent to occupy the residential real property by the owner or their spouse, domestic partner, children, grandchildren, parents, or grandparents. Taking the property off the rental market. § 8.60.030 · code text Withdrawal of the residential real property from the rental market. A government or court order on habitability that requires moving out. § 8.60.030 · code text An order issued by a government agency or court relating to habitability that necessitates vacating the residential real property. A government or court order to vacate. § 8.60.030 · code text An order issued by a government agency or court to vacate the residential real property. A local ordinance that requires the property to be vacated. § 8.60.030 · code text A local ordinance that necessitates vacating the residential real property. The owner plans to demolish or substantially remodel the property. Applies: All demolition or remodel permits must be in hand before the notice; a substantial remodel means permitted work needing 30+ days vacant, not cosmetic. § 8.60.030 · code text Intent to demolish or to substantially remodel the residential real property.

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

Buena Park code What Buena Park's code adds
Amount	1 month of the rent in effect when the owner gave the termination notice. Applies: No-fault evictions of just-cause tenancies; paid directly or as a written waiver of the last month's rent; demolition or substantial remodel pays more. § 8.60.050 · code text The amount of relocation assistance or rent wavier shall be equal to one month of the tenant's rent that was in effect when the owner issued the notice to terminate the tenancy $4,500 or 2 months of the rent in effect at notice, whichever is greater. Applies: The tenancy ends because the owner plans to demolish or substantially remodel. § 8.60.050 · code text the amount of relocation assistance or rent waiver shall instead be equal to the greater of four thousand five hundred dollars or two months of the tenant's rent that was in effect when the owner issued the notice to terminate the tenancy.
Exemptions	No relocation assistance. Applies: A government agency or court finds the tenant caused the conditions behind the order to vacate. § 8.60.050 · code text the tenant shall not be entitled to relocation assistance.
When it is paid	Within 15 calendar days after the notice is served. Applies: Any required relocation assistance. § 8.60.050 · code text Any relocation assistance required by this section shall be provided within fifteen calendar days of service of the notice.
When relocation is owed	A termination notice for a no-fault just cause reason, whatever the tenant's income. Applies: Tenancies that need just cause to end. § 8.60.050 · code text if an owner of residential real property issues a termination notice based on a no-fault just cause described in subsection (B)(2) of Section 8.60.030 (no-fault just cause), the owner shall, regardless of the tenant's income

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

Buena Park code In Buena Park, a no-fault termination notice must tell the tenant of the right to relocation help or a rent waiver. State law requires 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than one year. Buena Park requires notices or lease clauses about California's rent-increase limits to be in at least 12-point type.

All 7 Buena Park rules on notices, with the code text and the state law underneath →

Security deposits

CA state law Buena Park 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 Buena Park 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

CA state law Buena Park 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 Buena Park 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 Buena Park 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

Buena Park code What Buena Park's code adds
Allowed	Limited. Only with a short-term rental permit, in a home the host lives in as a primary residence. Applies: Single-family homes or parts of them. ADUs, JADUs, garages, pool houses and RVs are not eligible. § 19.348.080 · code text Transient occupancy uses are not permitted or conditionally permitted in residential or nonresidential zoning districts, unless either: (a) the City has approved a hotel use in a nonresidential zoning district pursuant to Title 19; or (b) the City has approved a short-term rental permit pursuant to this section.
Permit or registration	Yes. A short-term rental permit is required. § 19.348.080 · code text No short-term rental may operate without a permit as required by this Section 19.348 of the Buena Park Municipal Code.
Primary residence	Yes. The host must live at the short-term rental unit as a primary residence. § 19.348.080 · code text Provide adequate documentation such as driver's license, voter registration, vehicle registration, utility bills, or property tax records showing name of the host(s) and the short-term rental property address that establishes the host resides at the short-term rental unit as their primary residence.

Hotel and short-term rental tax

Buena Park code What Buena Park's code adds
Tax rate	12% of the rent charged by the operator. § 3.16.030 · code text For the privilege of occupancy in any hotel, each transient is subject to and shall pay a tax in the amount of twelve percent of the rent charged by the operator.
Who collects it	Each operator collects the tax from every guest at the same time as the rent. § 3.16.050 · code text Each operator shall collect the tax imposed by this chapter to the same extent and at the same time as the rent is collected from every transient.

Other Buena Park rules on this

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

Just Cause Tenant Protections (§ 8.60.060) — notice to tenants of state rent limits only

Who this affects

TenantsLandlordsProperty managers

Frequently asked questions

How much can rent go up in Buena Park?

State law caps increases on covered units at 8.7% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027. Buena Park also has a related rule: Just Cause Tenant Protections (§ 8.60.060) — notice to tenants of state rent limits only.

Does a landlord in Buena Park need a reason to evict?

Buena Park requires a just cause to end a tenancy after the tenant has lived there continuously and lawfully for 12 months.

Does a Buena Park landlord have to pay relocation?

Buena Park requires 1 month's rent for a no-fault eviction, or $4,500 or 2 months' rent, whichever is greater, for demolition or substantial remodel.

How much can a Buena Park landlord charge for a security deposit?

Buena Park 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)).

Can I rent out my home short-term in Buena Park?

Buena Park's code: Limited. Only with a short-term rental permit, in a home the host lives in as a primary residence. (Single-family homes or parts of them. ADUs, JADUs, garages, pool houses and RVs are not eligible.) (§ 19.348.080); Yes. A short-term rental permit is required. (§ 19.348.080).

What is the hotel tax on short-term rentals in Buena Park?

Buena Park's code: 12% of the rent charged by the operator. (§ 3.16.030); Each operator collects the tax from every guest at the same time as the rent. (§ 3.16.050).

General information, not legal advice.

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More on Buena Park

Buena Park Municipal Code — full text

Buying & selling in Buena Park

Building on your lot in Buena Park

Buena Park overview