Burlingame · Renting & eviction
Renting in Burlingame: the rules that apply
Burlingame has no rent control of its own, and state law sets most renting rules. Its Designated Units, Purchase and Sale Restrictions and Tenant Protections chapter covers condominium conversions only; state just cause applies to covered units.
Key points
- Rent increases: Burlingame has no rent rule of its own; state law caps increases on covered units at 8.8% from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
- Increase limits: State law limits increases to 5% plus the change in cost of living, or 10%, whichever is lower, over any 12 months.
- Just cause: State law requires just cause after 12 months on covered units; Burlingame's tenant protections chapter (Ch. 26.33) covers condominium conversions only.
- Relocation pay: Burlingame has no relocation rule of its own; state law requires 1 month's rent for no-fault evictions on covered units.
- 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.
- Security deposits: State law limits deposits to 1 month's rent on top of the first month's rent, or 2 months for some small landlords.
Each rule below is marked Burlingame 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 Burlingame has no rule of its own on this, so California law 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
Burlingame has a related local rule: Designated Units, Purchase and Sale Restrictions and Tenant Protections (Ch. 26.33) — condominium conversions only. This page does not summarize it yet; read the text in the library. Where it does not apply, the state rule below does.
| Just cause required | After 12 months of lawful occupancy, the owner may terminate only for a just cause stated in the notice Applies: Covered units only (§ 1946.2(e) exempts, among others, housing built in the last 15 years and single-family homes or condos not owned by a corporation or REIT when the tenant got the required notice). If new adult tenants joined before anyone reached 24 months, all tenants need 12 months or one needs 24. |
|---|---|
| Chance to cure first | For a curable lease violation, the owner must first serve a notice to cure before a 3-day notice to quit |
| Just cause — new construction exemption | Housing with a certificate of occupancy issued within the previous 15 years is exempt (rolling) Applies: Mobilehomes excepted. |
| Just cause law sunset | § 1946.2 is repealed on January 1, 2030 unless extended |
Relocation payments
CA state law Burlingame 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 Burlingame rule on this in the Burlingame 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 Burlingame 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 Burlingame 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 Burlingame 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 Burlingame 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 Burlingame 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
| Short-term rentals |
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| Tax rate |
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| Who collects it |
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Condo conversions
| Relocation help |
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| Tenant approval |
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| Notice to tenants |
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Other Burlingame rules on this
Burlingame's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Designated Units, Purchase and Sale Restrictions and Tenant Protections (Ch. 26.33) — condominium conversions only
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much can rent go up in Burlingame?
Burlingame has no rent rule of its own; state law caps increases on covered units at 8.8% from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027. State law limits increases to 5% plus the change in cost of living, or 10%, whichever is lower, over any 12 months.
Does a landlord in Burlingame need a reason to evict?
State law requires just cause after 12 months on covered units; Burlingame's tenant protections chapter (Ch. 26.33) covers condominium conversions only. Burlingame also has a related rule: Designated Units, Purchase and Sale Restrictions and Tenant Protections (Ch. 26.33) — condominium conversions only.
Does a Burlingame landlord have to pay relocation?
Burlingame has no relocation rule of its own; state law requires 1 month's rent for no-fault evictions on covered units.
How much notice does a Burlingame 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 a Burlingame landlord charge for a security deposit?
State law limits deposits to 1 month's rent on top of the first month's rent, or 2 months for some small landlords.
What is the hotel tax on short-term rentals in Burlingame?
Burlingame's code: Yes, the tax applies to short-term rentals. (§ 4.09.025); 12% of the rent charged by the operator. (§ 4.09.025).
What happens to tenants when a Burlingame building converts to condos?
Burlingame's code: The applicant must submit a Tenant Relocation Assistance Plan with required relocation payments. (For anyone temporarily or permanently displaced.) (§ 26.32.030); Signed consent from the tenants of at least a majority of the units. (§ 26.32.030).
General information, not legal advice.
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