Goleta · Renting & eviction
Renting in Goleta: the rules that apply
Goleta adds its own just-cause eviction rules for qualified tenants, while its rent control and relocation rules cover only mobilehome parks. Notices, security deposits, repairs and landlord entry follow state law.
Key points
- Rent increases: Goleta's rent control covers only mobilehome park spaces; state law caps covered units at 8.6% for increases from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
- Just cause: City rule: a qualified tenant's tenancy may end only for a listed cause, such as unpaid rent, a material lease breach or nuisance.
- Owner move-in: City rule: for owner move-in, the occupant must move in within 90 days after the tenant vacates and stay at least 12 consecutive months.
- Relocation pay: Goleta's relocation rules cover only mobilehome park closures; state law requires one month's rent for no-fault just causes on covered units.
- 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.
- 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 Goleta code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Rent increases
Goleta code Goleta's rent control covers only mobilehome park spaces; state law caps covered units at 8.6% for increases from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
All 12 Goleta rules on rent increases, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Eviction and just cause
Goleta code City rule: a qualified tenant's tenancy may end only for a listed cause, such as unpaid rent, a material lease breach or nuisance. City rule: for owner move-in, the occupant must move in within 90 days after the tenant vacates and stay at least 12 consecutive months.
All 8 Goleta rules on eviction and just cause, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Relocation payments
Goleta code Goleta's relocation rules cover only mobilehome park closures; state law requires one month's rent for no-fault just causes on covered units.
All 9 Goleta rules on relocation payments, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Notices
We found no Goleta rule on this in the Goleta 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. |
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| 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 Goleta 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
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Also in Goleta's code: Mobilehome Rent Control (§ 8.14.110) — mobilehome park spaces only. This page does not summarize it yet.
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
CA state law Goleta 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 Goleta 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 Goleta 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 →
Short-term rentals
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Hotel and short-term rental tax
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Other Goleta rules on this
Goleta's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Mobilehome Rent Control (Ch. 8.14) — mobilehome park spaces only
- Mobilehome Park Closure (§§ 8.17.140, 8.17.250) — mobilehome park closures only
- Mobilehome Rent Control (§ 8.14.110) — mobilehome park spaces only
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much notice does a Goleta 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 Goleta 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.
Can I rent out my home short-term in Goleta?
Goleta's code: Yes, with a City Short-Term Vacation Rental License. (The rental must follow the city's short-term vacation rental rules. No zoning permit is needed.) (§ 17.41.240); A City Short-Term Vacation Rental License from the City Finance Director. No Zoning Permit is required. (§ 17.41.240).
What is the hotel tax on short-term rentals in Goleta?
Goleta's code: 12% of the rent charged by the operator. (§ 3.06.020); Each operator collects the tax from every guest at the same time as the rent. (§ 3.06.030).
General information, not legal advice.
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