Laguna Beach · Renting & eviction

Renting in Laguna Beach: the rules that apply

Laguna Beach has no rent control of its own; the state cap applies to covered units. The city adds filing rules for notices that end a tenancy to demolish or substantially remodel, and relocation pay for condominium and mobilehome park conversions.

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Key points

Rent increases: Laguna Beach has no rent rule of its own; state law limits covered units to 8.7% for increases from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
Just cause: State law: after 12 months of lawful occupancy, tenancies in covered units end only for a just cause stated in the notice.
Remodel notices: City rule: a just-cause notice to demolish or substantially remodel must be filed with the city within 3 calendar days of serving it.
Ending a tenancy: State law: 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than 1 year.
Condo conversions: City rule: condominium conversions owe actual relocation costs up to $500 per unit, unless tenants got written notice of the plan at lease signing.
Security deposits: State law: at most 1 month's rent, or 2 for qualifying small landlords; returned within 21 calendar days after move-out with itemized deductions.

Each rule below is marked Laguna Beach code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Rent increases

CA state law Laguna 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

Laguna Beach code What Laguna Beach's code adds
Units covered	Tenancies that require just cause to end under the state law AB 1482. Covers only the city's extra notice and filing rules for ending a tenancy to demolish or substantially remodel. § 7.90.030 · code text For a tenancy for which just cause is required to terminate the tenancy under tenant Protection Act of 2019 ("AB 1482"), codified in part in California Civil Code Section 1946.2 ("Section 1946.2"), the following additional requirements apply

CA state law Underneath, California law still 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

Laguna Beach code What Laguna Beach's code adds
Amount	May include all reasonable costs of moving to a new location, up to 50 miles away. Applies: Mobilehome park conversion, closure or cessation of use only; tenants; the city sets it case by case when approving the relocation impact report. § 1.11.045 · code text For tenants the costs may include all reasonable expenses incurred in moving to a new location, up to a maximum distance of fifty miles. Fair market value of the mobilehome, based on the approved relocation impact report. Applies: Mobilehome park conversion, closure or cessation of use only; homeowners who cannot reasonably move their mobilehome; set case by case by the city. § 1.11.045 · code text For homeowners who are unable to reasonably relocate their mobilehome, payment of fair market value for their mobilehome based on information contained in the approved relocation impact report. Actual relocation costs, up to $500 per residential unit. Applies: Condominium conversions only; not owed if tenants got written notice of the planned conversion when they signed the lease. § 25.47.100 · code text Actual costs of relocation not to exceed five hundred dollars per residential unit, to be paid at the time of the notice of termination (eviction) is presented;
Exemptions	Not owed if the owner gave tenants written notice of the planned condo conversion when they signed their lease. Applies: Condominium conversions only. § 25.47.100 · code text Unless tenants of the building proposed to be converted were given written notice of the intention to convert to condominiums by the owner or owner's agent at the time the tenant signed rental or lease agreements, the applicant shall compensate the tenants for their relocation expenses as follows:
When it is paid	When the notice of termination (eviction) is presented. Applies: Condominium conversions only; payment of actual relocation costs up to $500 per unit. § 25.47.100 · code text Actual costs of relocation not to exceed five hundred dollars per residential unit, to be paid at the time of the notice of termination (eviction) is presented;
When relocation is owed	Conversion, closure or cessation of use of a mobilehome park. Applies: Mobilehome park residents only; the city sets the payments case by case when it approves the relocation impact report. § 1.11.045 · code text Payment of relocation assistance to each resident who resided in the mobilehome park as of and after the date of the application is filed or the date a closure, conversion or cessation of use is deemed by the city council to have commenced. Ending a tenancy for a condo conversion, unless tenants got written notice of the plan when they signed their lease. § 25.47.100 · code text Unless tenants of the building proposed to be converted were given written notice of the intention to convert to condominiums by the owner or owner's agent at the time the tenant signed rental or lease agreements, the applicant shall compensate the tenants for their relocation expenses as follows:

Also in Laguna Beach's code: Mobilehome Park Relocation Impact Report (§ 1.11.045) — mobilehome parks only; Condominium Conversions (§ 25.47.100) — condominium conversions only. This page does not summarize it yet.

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

Laguna Beach code What Laguna Beach's code adds
Filing a copy with the city	Yes. File the notice and any permits or signed contract with the city within 3 calendar days of serving it. Applies: For a just-cause notice ending a tenancy to demolish or substantially remodel the property. § 7.90.030 · code text Owners shall file the documents with the city within three calendar days of the owner serving the notice and/or documents to the tenant. Yes. Give the city a copy of the tenant's acceptance of the re-rent offer within 5 days of receiving it. Applies: After a demolish or substantial-remodel termination, when the tenant accepts the offer to re-rent the unit. § 7.90.030 · code text the owner shall provide a copy of the Tenant's notice to accept the offer to re-rent to the city of Laguna Beach within five days of receiving the notice.
What a notice must say	Tell the tenant a copy goes to the city and becomes a public, searchable record on its website. Applies: For a just-cause notice ending a tenancy to demolish or substantially remodel the property. § 7.90.030 · code text The owner of residential real property shall, in the notice to the tenant, inform the tenant that a copy of the tenancy termination notice will be provided to the city of Laguna Beach and shall become a publicly searchable record on the city of Laguna Beach's website.

CA state law The statewide rule underneath
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. Civ. Code § 827(b)(2), (b)(3)(A)
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. Civ. Code § 1946.1(b), (c)
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) Civ. Code § 1946.1(b)
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. Civ. Code § 1946.1(d)
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. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161(2)
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 Code Civ. Proc. § 1161(3)
No fee for serving notices	A landlord may not charge the tenant a fee for serving or posting a notice Civ. Code § 1946.1(i)

Security deposits

CA state law Laguna 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 Laguna 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 Laguna 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 Laguna 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 Laguna 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

Laguna Beach code What Laguna Beach's code adds
Allowed	No new short-term rentals. Applies: R-1, R-2, R-3 and VC zones; legal units permitted before October 2020 may continue with a business license, but lapse after 12 consecutive months unused. § 25.23.060 · code text No new short-term lodging may be established within the R-1, R-2, R-3 or VC zoning districts.
Permit or registration	A short-term lodging unit license, a business license, and an administrative or conditional use permit are required. Applies: The use permit type depends on the zoning rules. § 5.84.140 · code text A short-term lodging unit in Laguna Beach is only legal if the owner has a valid short-term lodging unit license issued by the city pursuant to Chapter 5.84, business license issued by the city, and administrative use permit or conditional use permit as required by Chapter 25.23 of the Laguna Beach Municipal Code.

Condo conversions

Laguna Beach code What Laguna Beach's code adds
Relocation help	Actual moving costs, up to $500 per unit. Applies: Unless tenants got written notice of the conversion plan when they signed their lease. § 25.47.100 · code text Actual costs of relocation not to exceed five hundred dollars per residential unit, to be paid at the time of the notice of termination (eviction) is presented; Where possible, tenants may end the lease without penalty after the conversion notice by giving 30 days' written notice. Applies: Unless the tenant got written notice of the conversion plan when signing the lease. § 25.47.100 · code text The applicant shall, where possible, permit a tenant to terminate any lease or rental agreement without any penalty whatsoever after notice has been given of the intention to convert to condominiums, if such tenant notifies the applicant in writing thirty days in advance of such termination; More time so a tenant or dependent can finish a school semester or quarter. Applies: Unless the tenant got written notice of the conversion plan when signing the lease. § 25.47.100 · code text The applicant shall allow an extension of time to permit a tenant or tenant's dependent to complete a school's semester or quarter as the case may be.
Notice to tenants	Written notice 180 days before the tenancy ends. Applies: Applies when a tenancy ends because of the conversion or proposed conversion. § 25.47.100 · code text The applicant shall notify in writing all tenants of his or her intention to convert to condominium one hundred eighty days prior to termination of tenancy due to the conversion or proposed conversion.
Tenants' right to buy	An exclusive right to buy the unit, irrevocable for 60 days after sales begin. Applies: Applies to present tenants. § 25.47.100 · code text Such right shall be irrevocable for a period of sixty days after the commencement of sales.

Other Laguna Beach rules on this

Laguna Beach's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.

Mobilehome Park Relocation Impact Report (§ 1.11.045) — mobilehome parks only
Condominium Conversions (§ 25.47.100) — condominium conversions only

Who this affects

TenantsLandlordsProperty managers

Frequently asked questions

How much can rent go up in Laguna Beach?

Laguna Beach has no rent rule of its own; state law limits covered units to 8.7% for increases from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.

Does a landlord in Laguna Beach need a reason to evict?

State law: after 12 months of lawful occupancy, tenancies in covered units end only for a just cause stated in the notice.

Does a Laguna Beach landlord have to pay relocation?

City rule: condominium conversions owe actual relocation costs up to $500 per unit, unless tenants got written notice of the plan at lease signing.

How much notice does a Laguna Beach landlord have to give?

City rule: a just-cause notice to demolish or substantially remodel must be filed with the city within 3 calendar days of serving it. State law: 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than 1 year.

How much can a Laguna Beach landlord charge for a security deposit?

State law: at most 1 month's rent, or 2 for qualifying small landlords; returned within 21 calendar days after move-out with itemized deductions.

Can I rent out my home short-term in Laguna Beach?

Laguna Beach's code: No new short-term rentals. (R-1, R-2, R-3 and VC zones; legal units permitted before October 2020 may continue with a business license, but lapse after 12 consecutive months unused.) (§ 25.23.060); A short-term lodging unit license, a business license, and an administrative or conditional use permit are required. (The use permit type depends on the zoning rules.) (§ 5.84.140).

What happens to tenants when a Laguna Beach building converts to condos?

Laguna Beach's code: Actual moving costs, up to $500 per unit. (Unless tenants got written notice of the conversion plan when they signed their lease.) (§ 25.47.100); Where possible, tenants may end the lease without penalty after the conversion notice by giving 30 days' written notice. (Unless the tenant got written notice of the conversion plan when signing the lease.) (§ 25.47.100).

General information, not legal advice.

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