Fairfield · Renting & eviction
Renting in Fairfield: the rules that apply
Fairfield has no rent control, just-cause or notice rules of its own, so state law applies to those. The city's own rules cover tenants displaced by unsafe conditions and bar rent increases during city-ordered repairs.
Key points
- Repairs freeze: City rule: no rent increase is allowed while city-ordered repairs are made and the tenant stays in the home.
- State rent cap: State law: the cap for covered units is 8.6% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
- Just cause: Fairfield has no just-cause rule of its own; state law requires a just cause after 12 months of lawful occupancy in covered units.
- Unsafe housing: City rule: relocation rules apply to an eviction notice or vacate order due to unsafe or hazardous conditions, or illegal use as a home.
- State relocation: For no-fault evictions of covered units, state law requires one month's rent as relocation pay or a rent waiver.
- Ending a tenancy: State law requires 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than one year.
Each rule below is marked Fairfield code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Rent increases
| Annual increase limit |
|
|---|
CA state law Underneath, California law still 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 Fairfield 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
| When relocation is owed |
|
|---|
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 Fairfield rule on this in the Fairfield Municipal Code (checked 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 Fairfield 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 Fairfield 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 Fairfield 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 Fairfield 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 Fairfield 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 |
|
|---|---|
| Who collects it |
|
Condo conversions
| Relocation help |
|
|---|---|
| Tenants' right to buy |
|
| Vacancy-rate test |
|
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much can rent go up in Fairfield?
City rule: no rent increase is allowed while city-ordered repairs are made and the tenant stays in the home. State law: the cap for covered units is 8.6% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
Does a landlord in Fairfield need a reason to evict?
Fairfield has no just-cause rule of its own; state law requires a just cause after 12 months of lawful occupancy in covered units.
Does a Fairfield landlord have to pay relocation?
City rule: relocation rules apply to an eviction notice or vacate order due to unsafe or hazardous conditions, or illegal use as a home. For no-fault evictions of covered units, state law requires one month's rent as relocation pay or a rent waiver.
How much notice does a Fairfield 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 Fairfield landlord charge for a security deposit?
Fairfield 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 Fairfield?
Fairfield's code: 12% of the rent. (Applies to rent charged by the operator; in effect since January 1, 2025.) (§ 18.13); The operator collects the tax from each guest at the same time as the rent. (§ 18.15).
What happens to tenants when a Fairfield building converts to condos?
Fairfield's code: Actual moving costs repaid, up to 2 times the unit's monthly rent. (Applies to each tenant moving out due to the conversion; may be reduced for excessive or malicious damage or unpaid rent.) (§ 25.173); 60-day right to buy at a set price after notice of the final public report; no move-out before it ends. (Applies to tenants of apartments proposed for conversion.) (§ 25.173).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a specific Fairfield property
Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question