Davis · Renting & eviction

Renting in Davis: the rules that apply

Davis adds anti-harassment rules with damages, plus retaliation protection and relocation pay when the city finds a unit must be vacated through the owner's deficiency. Davis has no rent control or just-cause rule of its own, so state law applies to those and to notices, deposits, repairs and entry.

Ask about renting & eviction in Davis See coverage

Key points

Rent increases: Davis has no rent control of its own; state law limits covered units to 8.6% for increases from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
Just cause: Davis has no just-cause rule of its own; state law allows ending a covered tenancy after 12 months only for just cause.
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.
Harassment: Davis lets tenants recover actual damages or $1,000 to $5,000 in statutory damages, whichever is greater, for bad-faith harassment.
Relocation pay: Davis requires the owner to pay state-law relocation assistance when the city finds a unit must be vacated through the owner's deficiency.
Retaliation: Davis bars an owner from evicting, raising rent or cutting services because a tenant filed a city complaint about code violations.

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

Rent increases

CA state law Davis 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 Davis 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

Davis code What Davis's code adds
Amount	Relocation assistance as required by state law, paid by the owner. Applies: The city finds the unit must be vacated because it is uninhabitable or imminently dangerous, due to the owner's deficiency. § 18.11.100 · code text the owner shall be responsible for providing tenant relocation assistance in accordance with Health and Safety Code Section 17975 et seq., as may be amended.
Exemptions	A tenant over 30 days behind on rent at move-out, except one lawfully withholding rent over unsafe or hazardous conditions. Applies: A hearing officer makes this finding in writing after a hearing. § 18.11.100 · code text The tenant is more than thirty days in default of rent at the time the dwelling is to be vacated (except a tenant lawfully withholding rent for correction of unsafe or hazardous conditions); The tenant refuses to move out after the relocation benefit is paid on time. Applies: A hearing officer makes this finding in writing after a hearing. § 18.11.100 · code text The tenant refuses to vacate after timely payment of the relocation benefit; The tenant caused or substantially contributed to the conditions requiring abatement. Applies: A hearing officer makes this finding in writing after a hearing. § 18.11.100 · code text The tenant has caused or substantially contributed to the conditions giving rise to the need for abatement; Unforeseen events or natural disasters beyond the owner's control made the building unsafe or hazardous, with no owner contribution. Applies: A hearing officer makes this finding in writing after a hearing. § 18.11.100 · code text The building becomes unsafe or hazardous due to unforeseen events or natural disasters that are beyond the control of the owner and the owner's action or inaction did not contribute to the impact on the building.
When relocation is owed	Unit must be vacated as uninhabitable or imminently dangerous to life, limb, health, property or safety, through owner deficiency. § 18.11.100 · code text When the city determines that a dwelling unit must be vacated and is not habitable, or is in such a condition as to declare it imminently dangerous to life, limb, health, property or safety of its tenants, the general public or adjacent properties, through the deficiency of the owner, the owner shall be responsible for providing tenant relocation assistance in accordance with Health and Safety Code Section 17975 et seq., as may be amended.

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

We found no Davis rule on this in the Davis Municipal Code (checked October 2026). The state rule below applies.

CA state law California law
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 Davis 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

Davis code What Davis's code adds
Protected activities	Filing a complaint with the city reporting possible code violations on the property. § 18.11.080 · code text It shall be unlawful for an owner to recover possession of a residential rental dwelling unit, cause the tenant(s) of such units to involuntarily quit, increase the rent, or decrease services in retaliation against a tenant for exercising his or her right to file a complaint with the city advising that violations of this code may exist on the property.
Remedies	The owner may not evict, force the tenant out, raise the rent, or cut services. Applies: In retaliation for the tenant filing a complaint with the city about possible code violations on the property. § 18.11.080 · code text It shall be unlawful for an owner to recover possession of a residential rental dwelling unit, cause the tenant(s) of such units to involuntarily quit, increase the rent, or decrease services in retaliation against a tenant for exercising his or her right to file a complaint with the city advising that violations of this code may exist on the property.

CA state law Underneath, California law still 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

Davis code What Davis's code adds
Penalties	Actual damages or $1,000 to $5,000 statutory damages, whichever is greater, plus attorneys' fees and costs. § 18.11.070 · code text Any person who violates or aids or incites another person to violate the provisions of Section 18.11.060 is liable for each and every such offense for the actual damages suffered by any aggrieved party or for statutory damages in the sum of between one thousand dollars and five thousand dollars, whichever is greater, and shall be liable for such attorneys' fees and costs as may be determined by the court in addition thereto. An extra civil penalty of up to $5,000 per offense. Applies: The offense is against a person who is disabled or 62 or older. § 18.11.070 · code text Any violator shall be liable for an additional civil penalty of up to five thousand dollars for each offense committed against a person who is disabled or aged sixty-two or over. Punitive damages. Applies: In a proper case under state law, shown by clear and convincing evidence. § 18.11.070 · code text The court may also award punitive damages to any plaintiff, including the city, in a proper case as defined by Civil Code Section 3294.
Tenant lawsuits	Yes. § 18.11.070 · code text Any person who violates or aids or incites another person to violate the provisions of Section 18.11.060 is liable for each and every such offense for the actual damages suffered by any aggrieved party or for statutory damages in the sum of between one thousand dollars and five thousand dollars, whichever is greater
Prohibited acts	In bad faith: interrupting, terminating, or failing to provide required housing services, or threatening to; failing to perform required repairs or maintenance, or threatening to; failing to use due diligence in repairs or follow repair, containment or remediation protocols; abusing the owner's right of access; removing tenant property without prior written consent (except under Civil Code Section 1980 et seq.); using fraud, intimidation or coercion to get a tenant to vacate, including threatening to report the tenant to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; offering payments to vacate more than once in six months after the tenant has said in writing they want no further offers; offers to vacate accompanied by threats or intimidation; threatening physical harm; substantially and directly interfering with quiet enjoyment; refusing to accept lawful rent, or refusing to cash a rent check for over thirty days without giving a written receipt (except as state law allows after a notice to quit has expired); requesting private information such as immigration status or social security number except as allowed by law; violating anti-discrimination laws; and other repeated acts or omissions meant or likely to make an occupant vacate or give up rights Applies: Owner, or the owner's agent, contractor, subcontractor or employee, acting in bad faith § 18.11.060 · code text No owner, and no agent, contractor, subcontractor, or employee of the owner shall do any of the following in bad faith:

CA state law Underneath, California law still 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 Davis 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 Davis 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

Davis code What Davis's code adds
Tax rate	Hotel guests pay a tax of 12% of the rent. Applies: In effect since August 1, 2016. § 15.05.020 · code text Effective on and after August 1, 2016, for the privilege of occupancy in any hotel, each transient is subject to and shall pay a tax in the amount of 12% of the rent paid by the transient.
Who collects it	The operator collects the tax from each guest at the same time as the rent. § 15.05.040 · code text Each operator shall collect the tax imposed by this article to the same extent and at the same time as the rent is collected from every transient.

Condo conversions

Davis code What Davis's code adds
Relocation help	The subdivider pays moving expenses of 3 times the monthly rent. Applies: For a tenant who moves after tentative map approval and follows the lease; lost if the tenant gave notice to move before approval. § 36.14.070 · code text The subdivider shall provide moving expenses equal to three times the monthly rent to any tenant, in compliance with the terms of the subject lease, who relocates from the building to be converted after city approval of the tentative map. Relocation help for at least 4 months after tentative map approval. Applies: For tenants who do not buy; the subdivider must regularly give rental listings nearby with comparable costs. § 36.14.070 · code text Relocation assistance shall be provided by the subdivider to nonpurchasing tenants for a minimum period of four months following the tentative map approval.
Tenant approval	Tenants of 75% of the units agree in writing, 1 vote per unit. Applies: One of 3 alternative grounds to accept an application; the others are a vacancy-rate test or affordable units. § 36.14.040 · code text Tenants lawfully in possession of seventy-five percent of the units indicate their desire (one vote per unit) to convert such units to condominium ownership in writing to the city.
Notice to tenants	At least 90 days before the tentative map is filed. Applies: Applies to the notice of intent to convert given to each tenant. § 36.14.070 · code text A notice of intent to convert shall be delivered to each tenant at least ninety days prior to filing the tentative map. At least 10 days before the hearing date. Applies: Applies to the planning commission or public hearing notice mailed to tenants. § 36.14.070 · code text The department shall use one envelope to notify the residents by mailing a copy of the planning commission or public hearing notice to tenants not less than ten days prior to the proposed hearing date on the application. No more than 7 days after the planning commission acts. Applies: Applies to the notice of the planning commission decision mailed to tenants. § 36.14.070 · code text The second envelope shall be used by the department to notify the residents of the results of the public hearing by mailing notification of the decision of the planning commission not more than seven days following the planning commission action. Starting 90 days before the application is submitted. Applies: Applies to written notice to prospective tenants before they lease or rent a unit. § 36.14.070 · code text Commencing ninety days prior to the submittal of the application, any prospective tenants shall be notified in writing by the sub-divider of the intent to convert prior to leasing or renting any unit pursuant to Section 66452.8 of the Subdivision Map Act.
Tenants' right to buy	A nontransferable right of first refusal to buy their unit at a discount from the public price. Applies: Applies to current tenants when the conversion application is made; the discount is based on how long they have lived there. § 36.14.070 · code text Any present tenant of any unit at the time of an application for conversion shall be given a nontransferable right of first refusal to purchase the unit occupied at a discount of the price offered to the general public.
Vacancy-rate test	five percent Applies: one of three alternative grounds for accepting a conversion application; vacancy rate of multiple-family rental developments in the city, and the conversion must not lower it below four and nine-tenths percent § 36.14.040 · code text Conversions may be approved when the vacancy rate of multiple-family rental developments within the city, as determined by the community development director, is equal to or more than five percent, unless the conversion will result in a decrease of the vacancy rate to less than four and nine-tenths percent.

Who this affects

TenantsLandlordsProperty managers

Frequently asked questions

How much can rent go up in Davis?

Davis has no rent control of its own; state law limits covered units to 8.6% for increases from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.

Does a landlord in Davis need a reason to evict?

Davis has no just-cause rule of its own; state law allows ending a covered tenancy after 12 months only for just cause.

Does a Davis landlord have to pay relocation?

Davis requires the owner to pay state-law relocation assistance when the city finds a unit must be vacated through the owner's deficiency.

How much notice does a Davis 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 Davis landlord charge for a security deposit?

Davis 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 Davis?

Davis's code: Hotel guests pay a tax of 12% of the rent. (In effect since August 1, 2016.) (§ 15.05.020); The operator collects the tax from each guest at the same time as the rent. (§ 15.05.040).

What happens to tenants when a Davis building converts to condos?

Davis's code: The subdivider pays moving expenses of 3 times the monthly rent. (For a tenant who moves after tentative map approval and follows the lease; lost if the tenant gave notice to move before approval.) (§ 36.14.070); Relocation help for at least 4 months after tentative map approval. (For tenants who do not buy; the subdivider must regularly give rental listings nearby with comparable costs.) (§ 36.14.070).

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Davis property

Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.

Ask your question

More on Davis

Davis Municipal Code — full text

Buying & selling in Davis

Building on your lot in Davis

Davis overview