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Greenfield · Renting & eviction

Renting in Greenfield: the rules that apply

Greenfield 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 Greenfield 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 Greenfield 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 Greenfield 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 Greenfield 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 Greenfield rule on this in the Greenfield Municipal Code (extracted 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.
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 Greenfield 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 Greenfield 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 Greenfield 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 Greenfield 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 Greenfield 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

Greenfield code What Greenfield's code adds
Tax rate
  • 8% of the rent charged by the manager.
    § 3.28.030 · code text
    For the privilege of occupancy in any hotel, each transient is subject to, and shall pay, a tax in the amount of eight percent (8%) of the rent charged by the manager.
Who collects it
  • The guest pays the tax to the hotel manager when the rent is paid.
    § 3.28.030 · code text
    The transient shall pay the tax to the manager of the hotel at the time the rent is paid.

Condo conversions

Greenfield code What Greenfield's code adds
Limits on conversions
  • Approval requires apartment rentals (in complexes of 3 or more) to exceed 10% of all city housing units.
    § 17.76.140 · code text
    That the average rental vacancy rate in multiplefamily units of similar size in the city affected by the proposed conversion during the four (4) quarters preceding the filing of the application is greater than five percent (5%) and that the current percentage of multi-family rental units (within complexes of 3 or more units) is above ten percent (10%) of the total number of housing units within the city.
Relocation help
  • 2 months' rent plus the security deposit the tenant paid.
    Applies: Each tenant who chooses not to stay; not for tenants evicted for just cause.
    § 17.76.080 · code text
    At a minimum, such payment shall be equal in amount to two (2) months' rent and the security deposit amount paid by the tenant for the existing apartment unit.
  • First month's rent at the new complex; key, utility and pet deposits refunded; cleaning and security deposits refunded minus damages.
    Applies: Eligible elderly, handicapped or low-income tenants, or single heads of household with minor children.
    § 17.76.080 · code text
    Payment of the first month's rent in the new complex, and refund of all key, utility, and pet deposits to which the tenant is entitled upon vacating the unit.
  • The applicant pays the difference when new move-in deposits and fees exceed the refunded amounts.
    Applies: Eligible elderly, handicapped or low-income tenants, or single parents with minor children, when new deposits exceed refunds plus damages.
    § 17.76.080 · code text
    If the amount of deposits and other fees required upon moving into the new complex exceeds the amounts refunded to the tenant plus damages, the applicant shall pay the difference.
  • The rent difference for 1 year from the relocation date.
    Applies: Eligible special-category tenants whose comparable new unit costs more than their current unit.
    § 17.76.080 · code text
    Where the rent for the comparable unit is higher than the rent for the current unit, the applicant shall pay the difference for a period of one year from the date of relocation.
Notice to tenants
  • At least 60 days before the application is first filed.
    Applies: Notice of intent to seek a conversion use permit or tentative subdivision map.
    § 17.76.020 · code text
    In addition, evidence shall be submitted that tenants have been notified and have acknowledged the applicant's intent to file a request for conversion for a period of at least sixty (60) days prior to the initial filing of an application for a conversion use permit or tentative subdivision map.
Vacancy-rate test
  • The average rental vacancy rate must be over 5% for the 4 quarters before filing.
    Applies: Similar-size multi-family units in the city; a finding needed to approve a conversion.
    § 17.76.140 · code text
    That the average rental vacancy rate in multiplefamily units of similar size in the city affected by the proposed conversion during the four (4) quarters preceding the filing of the application is greater than five percent (5%) and that the current percentage of multi-family rental units (within complexes of 3 or more units) is above ten percent (10%) of the total number of housing units within the city.

Who this affects

TenantsLandlordsProperty managers

Frequently asked questions

How much can rent go up in Greenfield?

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 Greenfield 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 Greenfield 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 Greenfield 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 Greenfield 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 Greenfield?

Greenfield's code: 8% of the rent charged by the manager. (§ 3.28.030); The guest pays the tax to the hotel manager when the rent is paid. (§ 3.28.030).

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

Greenfield's code: Approval requires apartment rentals (in complexes of 3 or more) to exceed 10% of all city housing units. (§ 17.76.140); 2 months' rent plus the security deposit the tenant paid. (Each tenant who chooses not to stay; not for tenants evicted for just cause.) (§ 17.76.080).

General information, not legal advice.

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