Relocation payments in Long Beach: the local rules

Each rule below links to the section of the Long Beach Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Long Beach's code says

Long Beach code What Long Beach's code adds
Amount	The greater of $4,500 or 2 months' rent Applies: When the tenancy ends so the owner can demolish or substantially remodel; covered tenancies only. § 8.99.020 · code text in the case of a termination notice under subparagraph (2)(D) of subdivision (b), the greater of $4,500 or two months of the tenant's rent that was in effect when the owner issued the notice to terminate the tenancy 1 month's rent Applies: All other no-fault terminations, such as an owner or relative moving in; covered tenancies only. § 8.99.020 · code text in the case of all other no-fault just cause terminations, one month of the tenant's rent that was in effect when the owner issued the notice to terminate the tenancy Eligible tenant households receive $3,366.00 in monetary relocation assistance. Applies: Only for tenants displaced by City code-enforcement activities; the $3,366.00 base is increased by CPI change between January 1, 2005, and application filing year. § 18.25.110 · code text Each eligible tenant household shall receive monetary relocation assistance in the amount of three thousand three hundred sixty-six dollars ($3,366.00).
When it is paid	Paid within 15 calendar days after the notice is served § 8.99.020 · code text Any relocation assistance shall be provided within 15 calendar days of service of the notice. Relocation benefits must be paid within 10 days after the order to vacate is issued and served. Applies: Only for tenants displaced by a City code-enforcement order to vacate; payment must be by certified check, cashier's check, or money order. § 18.25.080 · code text The relocation benefits required by this chapter shall be paid by the owner or designated agent to the tenant household in the form of a certified check, cashier's check, or money order, within ten (10) days after the order to vacate is issued and served in accordance with Section 18.20.160. Required relocation payments are due within 2 business days after the order to vacate is issued and served. Applies: Only when an official determines a dangerous unit or room must be vacated in less than 10 days. § 18.25.080 · code text If the building, fire or health official determines that the unit or room is dangerous and must be vacated in less than ten (10) days, then the owner shall make required relocation payments to the tenant household in the form of a certified check, cashier's check, or money order, within two (2) business days after the order to vacate is issued and served in accordance with Section 18.20.160.
When relocation is owed	Instead of paying, the owner may waive the final month(s) of rent in writing, before it is due Applies: The owner's choice; owed regardless of the tenant's income. § 8.99.020 · code text Waive in writing the payment of rent for the final month(s) of the tenancy, prior to the rent becoming due. A City code-enforcement order to vacate displaces the tenant household. Applies: Only for tenants displaced by City code-enforcement activities, not under the general no-fault relocation rule. § 18.25.080 · code text The relocation benefits required by this chapter shall be paid by the owner or designated agent to the tenant household in the form of a certified check, cashier's check, or money order, within ten (10) days after the order to vacate is issued and served in accordance with Section 18.20.160. Tenants are presumed eligible for relocation assistance. Applies: Only for City code-enforcement displacement; owner or agent's termination or quit notice within 90 days of a substandard-building notice; rebuttable if tenant caused/substantially contributed. § 18.25.120 · code text Tenants receiving notices to terminate or quit from the property owner or owner's agent within ninety (90) days of a notice of substandard building shall be presumed eligible and entitled to collect relocation assistance pursuant to this chapter.
Extra for protected tenants	Reimbursement up to an additional $2,500.00 for structural modifications the tenant household paid for at the vacated premises. Applies: For each eligible household with a disabled person displaced by a City code-enforcement order to vacate. The $2,500.00 rises with the CPI change between January 1, 2005, and January 1 of the year the application is filed. § 18.25.110 · code text Each eligible household with a disabled person displaced under this chapter shall also be entitled to reimbursement for structural modifications to the household paid for by the tenant household at the vacated premises up to a maximum value of an additional two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00).
Exemptions	Owners are not liable for relocation benefits. Applies: Only for code-enforcement-displaced tenants if Building Official determines fire, flood, earthquake, or other act of God beyond owner control caused it without owner contribution. § 18.25.080 · code text An owner shall not be liable for relocation benefits if the Building Official determines that the building or structure became substandard or dangerous as the result of a fire, flood, earthquake, or other act of God beyond the control of the owner and the owner did not cause or contribute to the condition. No relocation benefits are payable. Applies: Only for tenants who caused or substantially contributed to conditions giving rise to an order to vacate, as determined by the Department of Community Development. § 18.25.080 · code text No relocation benefits pursuant to this chapter shall be payable to any tenant who has caused or substantially contributed to the condition or conditions giving rise to the order to vacate, as determined by the Department of Community Development No relocation benefits are payable. Applies: Only if the Department of Community Development determines a tenant's guest or invitee caused or substantially contributed to the condition leading to the vacate order. § 18.25.080 · code text nor shall relocation benefits be payable to a tenant if any guest or invitee of the tenant has caused or substantially contributed to the condition giving rise to the order to vacate, as determined by the Department of Community Development.

The California rule underneath

Where Long Beach's rule above does not cover a situation, state law still applies. For the statewide rule on its own, see Relocation under California's just-cause law.

CA state law The statewide rule underneath
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. Civ. Code § 1946.2(d)(3)(A)

Who this affects

TenantsLandlordsProperty managers

Frequently asked questions

Does a Long Beach landlord have to pay relocation?

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.

Relocation payments in Long Beach

Key points

What Long Beach's code says

The California rule underneath

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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