Carmel-by-the-Sea · Renting & eviction
Renting in Carmel-by-the-Sea: the rules that apply
Carmel-by-the-Sea has no rent control or eviction rules of its own and adds no other renting rules to state law. State law governs rent increases, eviction, notices, deposits and repairs; its rent cap and just-cause rule apply to covered units only.
Key points
- Rent cap: State law caps covered units at 8.6% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027, measured over any 12 months.
- Cap limits: The state cap over any 12 months is 5% plus statewide inflation or 10%, whichever is lower, with no more than two increases.
- Just cause: After 12 months' lawful occupancy, state law lets a covered unit's owner end the tenancy only for a just cause stated in the notice.
- 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.
- Relocation pay: On covered units, no-fault just causes require one month's rent as payment or rent waiver, paid within 15 calendar days of the notice.
- Security deposit: State law caps deposits at one month's rent, or up to two for qualifying small landlords, returned within 21 calendar days after move-out.
Each rule below is marked Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Rent cap right now: 8.6% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027 (5% plus 3.6% inflation) (Civ. Code § 1947.12(a)(1), (g)). California's statewide rent cap — the full state rule →
Eviction and just cause
CA state law Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea rule on this in the Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea 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
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Other Carmel-by-the-Sea rules on this
Carmel-by-the-Sea's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Advertising of unpermitted transient rentals (§ 17.28.040) — advertising rule only
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much can rent go up in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
State law caps covered units at 8.6% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027, measured over any 12 months. The state cap over any 12 months is 5% plus statewide inflation or 10%, whichever is lower, with no more than two increases.
Does a landlord in Carmel-by-the-Sea need a reason to evict?
After 12 months' lawful occupancy, state law lets a covered unit's owner end the tenancy only for a just cause stated in the notice.
Does a Carmel-by-the-Sea landlord have to pay relocation?
On covered units, no-fault just causes require one month's rent as payment or rent waiver, paid within 15 calendar days of the notice.
How much notice does a Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 one year.
How much can a Carmel-by-the-Sea landlord charge for a security deposit?
State law caps deposits at one month's rent, or up to two for qualifying small landlords, returned within 21 calendar days after move-out.
What is the hotel tax on short-term rentals in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Carmel-by-the-Sea's code: The hotel tax is 10% of the rent. (§ 3.32.020); The operator collects the tax from each guest at the same time as the rent. (§ 3.32.040).
General information, not legal advice.
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