Long Beach · Renting & eviction
Renting in Long Beach: the rules that apply
Long Beach adds its own just-cause, no-fault relocation and anti-harassment rules but no rent control, so state law caps covered units at 8.7% for increases from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027. Deposits, repairs, landlord entry and retaliation follow state law.
Key points
- Rent cap: State law caps covered units at 8.7%, set with Los Angeles-area inflation, for increases from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027; at most 2 per 12 months.
- Cap exemptions: Exempt from the state cap: housing with a certificate of occupancy from the last 15 years, non-corporate single-family homes or condos with written notice, and owner-occupied duplexes.
- Just cause: After 12 months of lawful occupancy, Long Beach and state law allow ending a covered tenancy only for a just cause, such as nonpayment or owner move-in.
- Notices: State law: 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 if the tenant lived there under 1 year; 30 days for a rent increase, 90 above 10%.
- Relocation pay: For no-fault terminations of covered tenancies, Long Beach requires the greater of $4,500 or 2 months' rent for demolition or substantial remodel, otherwise 1 month's rent.
- Harassment: Long Beach prohibits bad-faith repair delays, entry abuse, and fraud, misrepresentation, intimidation, or coercion to make a tenant leave.
- Deposits: For security collected on or after July 1, 2024, state law limits deposits to 1 month's rent, subject to the small-landlord exception.
Each rule below is marked Long 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 Long 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
Long Beach code After 12 months of lawful occupancy, Long Beach and state law allow ending a covered tenancy only for a just cause, such as nonpayment or owner move-in.
All 6 Long Beach rules on eviction and just cause, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Relocation payments
Long Beach code For no-fault terminations of covered tenancies, Long Beach requires the greater of $4,500 or 2 months' rent for demolition or substantial remodel, otherwise 1 month's rent.
All 13 Long Beach rules on relocation payments, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Notices
Long Beach code State law: 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 if the tenant lived there under 1 year; 30 days for a rent increase, 90 above 10%.
All 8 Long Beach rules on notices, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Security deposits
CA state law Long 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 Long 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
Long Beach code Long Beach prohibits bad-faith repair delays, entry abuse, and fraud, misrepresentation, intimidation, or coercion to make a tenant leave.
Repairs and habitability
CA state law Long 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 Long 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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Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much can rent go up in Long Beach?
State law caps covered units at 8.7%, set with Los Angeles-area inflation, for increases from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027; at most 2 per 12 months. Exempt from the state cap: housing with a certificate of occupancy from the last 15 years, non-corporate single-family homes or condos with written notice, and owner-occupied duplexes.
How much can a Long Beach landlord charge for a security deposit?
For security collected on or after July 1, 2024, state law limits deposits to 1 month's rent, subject to the small-landlord exception.
Can I rent out my home short-term in Long Beach?
Long Beach's code: Un-hosted short-term rental stays are not allowed. (Only in census tract block groups where the city prohibits un-hosted stays.) (§ 5.77.050); Accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units may not be used as short-term rentals. (§ 5.77.050).
What is the hotel tax on short-term rentals in Long Beach?
Long Beach's code: 6% of the rent. (A separate advertising and promotion fund tax on the rent for a guestroom.) (§ 3.64.030); The operator collects the tax from the guest at the time and in the way the chapter sets. (§ 3.64.030).
General information, not legal advice.
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