East Palo Alto · Renting & eviction
Renting in East Palo Alto: the rules that apply
East Palo Alto has its own rent stabilization and just-cause eviction rules for regulated units, plus rules on Ellis Act withdrawals, relocation and harassment. It has no rules of its own on security deposits, repairs or landlord entry, so state law applies.
Key points
- Rent increases: City rule: yearly increases in regulated units are 80% of the CPI increase, at most 10%, and only 1 increase every 12 months.
- Just cause: City rule: eviction needs a listed cause, such as unpaid rent or owner move-in, in single-family homes and multi-unit buildings, except fully exempt units.
- Owner move-in: City rule: an owner of at least 50% may move in for at least 12 continuous months; only 1 unit per building, ever.
- Ellis Act notice: City rule: an owner withdrawing units under the Ellis Act must notify the city and the tenants at least 120 days ahead.
- Relocation pay: State law: a no-fault eviction from a covered unit requires 1 month's rent as payment or waiver, within 15 calendar days of notice.
- Harassment: City rule: bad-faith acts such as cutting services, threats or refusing lawful rent are harassment, and tenants can sue for damages.
Each rule below is marked East Palo Alto code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Rent increases
East Palo Alto code City rule: yearly increases in regulated units are 80% of the CPI increase, at most 10%, and only 1 increase every 12 months.
All 7 East Palo Alto rules on rent increases, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Eviction and just cause
East Palo Alto code City rule: eviction needs a listed cause, such as unpaid rent or owner move-in, in single-family homes and multi-unit buildings, except fully exempt units. City rule: an owner of at least 50% may move in for at least 12 continuous months; only 1 unit per building, ever.
Relocation payments
| Exemptions |
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|---|---|
| When relocation is owed |
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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
East Palo Alto code City rule: an owner withdrawing units under the Ellis Act must notify the city and the tenants at least 120 days ahead.
All 9 East Palo Alto rules on notices, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Security deposits
CA state law East Palo Alto 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
| Protected activities |
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|---|---|
| Remedies |
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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
East Palo Alto code City rule: bad-faith acts such as cutting services, threats or refusing lawful rent are harassment, and tenants can sue for damages.
Repairs and habitability
CA state law East Palo Alto 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 East Palo Alto 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
| Tax rate |
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|---|---|
| Who collects it |
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Condo conversions
| Relocation help |
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|---|---|
| Tenants' right to buy |
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Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Does an East Palo Alto landlord have to pay relocation?
State law: a no-fault eviction from a covered unit requires 1 month's rent as payment or waiver, within 15 calendar days of notice.
How much can an East Palo Alto landlord charge for a security deposit?
East Palo Alto 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 East Palo Alto?
East Palo Alto's code: 12% of the rent. (§ 3.68.030); Each operator collects the tax from every guest at the same time as the rent. (§ 3.68.050).
What happens to tenants when an East Palo Alto building converts to condos?
East Palo Alto's code: $7,500.00 base amount, adjusted annually by CPI since April 1, 2012. (Applies to a tenant living there less than 2 years who is not in default and does not buy the unit.) (§ 14.24.130); $10,000.00 base amount, adjusted annually by CPI since April 1, 2012. (Applies to a tenant living there 2 years or longer who is not in default and does not buy the unit.) (§ 14.24.130).
General information, not legal advice.
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