Huntington Beach · Renting & eviction
Renting in Huntington Beach: the rules that apply
Huntington Beach has no rent control or just-cause rule of its own, so state law governs rent increases and ending a tenancy. Its Mobilehome Park Conversions chapter covers mobilehome park conversions only; the state relocation payment applies to covered no-fault evictions.
Key points
- Rent increases: Huntington Beach has no rent control of its own; state law caps covered units at 8.7% for increases from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
- Just cause: Huntington Beach has no just-cause rule; state law allows ending a covered tenancy after 12 months only for a stated just cause.
- Ending a tenancy: Huntington Beach has no notice rule; state law requires 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 if under 1 year.
- Relocation pay: Huntington Beach's Mobilehome Park Conversions chapter covers those conversions only; state law requires 1 month's rent for other covered no-fault evictions.
- Increase notice: State law requires at least 30 days' notice for a rent increase of 10% or less, and at least 90 days above 10%.
- Deposits: Huntington Beach has no deposit rule; state law limits deposits to 1 month's rent, or 2 months for some small landlords.
Each rule below is marked Huntington Beach 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 Huntington Beach has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Rent cap right now: 8.7% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027 (5% plus 3.7% inflation) (Civ. Code § 1947.12(a)(1), (g)). California's statewide rent cap — the full state rule →
Eviction and just cause
CA state law Huntington Beach 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
Huntington Beach has a related local rule: Mobilehome Park Conversions (Ch. 234) — mobilehome park conversions only. This page does not summarize it yet; read the text in the library. Where it does not apply, the state rule below does.
| No-fault eviction relocation assistance | One month's rent (as relocation payment or rent waiver), paid within 15 calendar days of the notice Applies: For no-fault just causes (owner move-in, withdrawal from market, substantial remodel, government order) on covered units; regardless of the tenant's income. |
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Notices
We found no Huntington Beach rule on this in the Huntington Beach Municipal Code (extracted 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 Huntington Beach 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 Huntington Beach 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 Huntington Beach 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 Huntington Beach 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 Huntington Beach 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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| Permit or registration |
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Hotel and short-term rental tax
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Condo conversions
| Relocation help |
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| Notice to tenants |
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| Tenants' right to buy |
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Other Huntington Beach rules on this
Huntington Beach's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Mobilehome Park Conversions (Ch. 234) — mobilehome park conversions only
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much can rent go up in Huntington Beach?
Huntington Beach has no rent control of its own; state law caps covered units at 8.7% for increases from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
Does a landlord in Huntington Beach need a reason to evict?
Huntington Beach has no just-cause rule; state law allows ending a covered tenancy after 12 months only for a stated just cause.
Does a Huntington Beach landlord have to pay relocation?
Huntington Beach's Mobilehome Park Conversions chapter covers those conversions only; state law requires 1 month's rent for other covered no-fault evictions. Huntington Beach also has a related rule: Mobilehome Park Conversions (Ch. 234) — mobilehome park conversions only.
How much notice does a Huntington Beach landlord have to give?
Huntington Beach has no notice rule; state law requires 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 if under 1 year. State law requires at least 30 days' notice for a rent increase of 10% or less, and at least 90 days above 10%.
How much can a Huntington Beach landlord charge for a security deposit?
Huntington Beach has no deposit rule; state law limits deposits to 1 month's rent, or 2 months for some small landlords.
Can I rent out my home short-term in Huntington Beach?
Huntington Beach's code: Limited. A city short-term rental permit is required. (Unhosted short-term rentals are not allowed, except in Zone 2.) (§ 5.120.040); No more than 1 short-term rental per operator or host. (Anywhere in the city, including Sunset Beach.) (§ 5.120.030).
What is the hotel tax on short-term rentals in Huntington Beach?
Huntington Beach's code: A rate equal to the current combined state and local use tax rate. (The City Council sets the rate by resolution from time to time.) (§ 3.28.030); Each operator collects the tax from every guest at the same time as the rent. (§ 3.28.050).
What happens to tenants when a Huntington Beach building converts to condos?
Huntington Beach's code: Moving expenses equal to 3 times the monthly rent. (Applies to tenants who comply with all lease or financing terms and move out after the city approves the conversion use permit.) (§ 235.10); Relocation help, including quarterly lists of comparable rentals, for at least 4 months after tentative map approval. (Non-buying tenants; low- or moderate-income tenants and tenants with school children get at least 12 months to relocate.) (§ 235.10).
General information, not legal advice.
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