Martinez · Renting & eviction

Renting in Martinez: the rules that apply

Martinez has no rent control or just-cause eviction rule of its own, so state law applies. The city adds its own rules on retaliation, harassment, tenant-rights notices and relocation pay for condo conversions.

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Key points

Rent increases: State law: covered units are capped at 8.8% for increases from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027; Martinez has no rule of its own.
Just cause: State law: after 12 months of lawful occupancy, the owner of a covered unit may end the tenancy only for a just cause.
Ending a tenancy: State law: a landlord gives 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there under 1 year.
Condo conversions: City rule: in condo conversions, a non-buying tenant gets 3 months of fair market rent, or 4 months after living there 2 years.
Retaliation: City rule: a landlord act within 180 days after a tenant uses protected rights is presumed retaliatory, though the landlord can rebut it.
Harassment: City rule: bad-faith acts aimed at a tenant, such as failing to make needed repairs or abusing the right of entry, are harassment.

Each rule below is marked Martinez 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 Martinez has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Rent cap right now: 8.8% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027 (5% plus 3.8% inflation) (Civ. Code § 1947.12(a)(1), (g)). California's statewide rent cap — the full state rule →

Eviction and just cause

CA state law Martinez 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

Martinez code What Martinez's code adds
Extra for protected tenants	$2,500 extra for each category that applies. Applies: Condo conversions only: tenant who is disabled, 60 or older, terminally ill, or a single parent of minor children when the conversion notice is filed. § 21.56.060 · code text A tenant who, at the time of the notice of intent to convert is filed with the City, is disabled, 60 years or older, terminally ill, or who is a single head of household with minor children, shall be entitled to receive an additional payment of $2,500.
Amount	3 months of fair market rent. Applies: Condo conversions only: a tenant not buying who has lived there less than 2 years. § 21.56.060 · code text Residing on property for less than two years: equivalent to three months' worth of fair market rent. 4 months of fair market rent. Applies: Condo conversions only: a tenant not buying who has lived there 2 years or longer. § 21.56.060 · code text Residing on property for two years or longer: equivalent to four months' worth of fair market rent.
Exemptions	No fee if the tenant is in default on the tenancy or buys the unit. Applies: Condo conversions, for tenants served a notice of intent to convert. § 21.56.060 · code text Such relocation fee shall be due and payable to each tenant who is not in default under their tenancy and does not exercise their right to purchase their unit No fee if the owner withdraws the conversion notice before the tenant gives a move-out date or moves out. Applies: When the owner notifies each tenant in writing that the conversion notice is withdrawn. § 21.56.060 · code text unless the existing property owner notifies each tenant in writing of the withdrawal of the notice of intent to convert prior to such time as the tenant has: given the property owner notice of their last date of occupancy, or vacated their unit if such notice of the last date of occupancy is not given by the tenant.
When it is paid	When the tenant moves out. Applies: Condo conversion relocation fee. § 21.56.060 · code text The relocation fee shall be paid to any tenant who vacates the rental unit at the time they vacate.
When relocation is owed	When the owner serves notice of intent to convert rentals to condos. Applies: Tenant is not in default on the tenancy and does not buy the unit. § 21.56.060 · code text Any property owner who serves a notice of intent to convert to tenants pursuant to this Chapter shall pay a relocation fee to each tenant in accordance with the provisions of this Section.

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

Martinez code State law: a landlord gives 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there under 1 year.

All 7 Martinez rules on notices, with the code text and the state law underneath →

Security deposits

CA state law Martinez 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

Martinez code What Martinez's code adds
Presumption period	180 days. Applies: If the tenant used their rights within this period before the landlord's act, the act is presumed retaliatory, though this can be rebutted. § 22.85.030 · code text However, proof of exercise or assertion by the Tenant of rights within 180 days prior to Landlord's alleged act of retaliation shall create a rebuttable presumption that the Landlord's act was retaliatory.
Protected activities	Using or asserting any rights or remedies provided by the chapter; requesting repairs or maintenance; complaining about rental-unit conditions to a government agency; filing housing-code complaints; exercising legal rights such as withholding rent or repairing and deducting repair costs; forming or associating with tenant organizations; organizing or engaging in concerted tenant activities; providing access to tenant organizers or advocates; convening tenant meetings; distributing or posting tenant-rights literature; requesting reasonable accommodations or modifications; posting or displaying specified political signs; asserting rights under the California Translation Act; summoning law-enforcement or emergency assistance as or on behalf of a victim of abuse, crime, or an individual in an emergency § 22.85.030 · code text No Landlord shall retaliate against a Tenant, including threatening to bring, or bringing, an action to recover possession, serving any notice of termination of tenancy, taking any action to increase the Rent or reduce one or more Housing Services, causing the Tenant to involuntarily quit the Rental Unit, or discriminating against the Tenant, because of the Tenant's use of assertion of any rights or use of any remedy provided by this Chapter, or because of the Tenant's engagement in one or more of the following activities:
Remedies	A tenant may raise retaliation in their own lawsuit or as a defense to the landlord's case. Applies: No matter how much time passed between using the rights and the retaliation. § 22.85.030 · code text A Tenant may assert retaliation affirmatively or as a defense to the Landlord's action regardless of the elapsed time between the Tenant's assertion of or exercise of rights under this Chapter or under Federal or State law and the alleged act of retaliation. A landlord is liable for bringing an eviction case only if the tenant won that case, the case rested on facts the landlord had no reasonable cause to believe or an untenable legal theory, and the landlord acted with malice Applies: Actions to recover possession of a rental unit § 22.85.030 · code text A Landlord shall only be liable pursuant to this Section for bringing an action to recover possession of a Rental Unit where the three requirements for malicious prosecution are satisfied: (1) the Tenant has obtained a favorable termination of or final judgment in that action; (2) the action is based upon facts which the Landlord has no reasonable cause to believe to be true or upon a legal theory which is untenable under the facts known to the Landlord; and (3) malice

CA state law Underneath, California law still 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

Martinez code What Martinez's code adds
Prohibited acts	Fail to perform and timely complete necessary repairs and maintenance; fail to follow applicable industry standards to minimize exposure to harmful building materials; fail to exercise due diligence in completing repairs; fail to timely comply with a City notice and order to correct a violation; or violate statutory habitability standards Applies: Landlord acting in bad faith, directed at a specific tenant § 22.85.020 · code text B. Habitability. 1. Fail to perform and timely complete necessary repairs and maintenance required by Federal, State, County, or local housing, health, or safety laws; Abuse the right of access into residential real property, including unauthorized or unrelated inspections, entry outside normal business hours, entry contrary to a tenant's reasonable request, certain untimely purchaser-showing notices, misrepresenting access reasons, failing to provide a reasonable time window, failing to timely cancel scheduled entry, or making excessive entries Applies: Landlord acting in bad faith, directed at a specific tenant § 22.85.020 · code text C. Access. Abuse the right of access into residential real property as established by California Civil Code Section 1954, which abuse includes, without limitation: Violate or interfere with a tenant's privacy, including unlawful inquiries or disclosures concerning residence, citizenship, Social Security Number, relationship or marital status, or non-public criminal history; unreasonable guest restrictions or inquiries; unauthorized photography or recording; or entry, photography, or recording beyond a lawful entry or inspection Applies: Landlord acting in bad faith, directed at a specific tenant § 22.85.020 · code text D. Privacy. Violate or interfere with a Tenant's right to privacy, such as:

CA state law Underneath, California law still 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 Martinez 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 Martinez 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

Martinez code What Martinez's code adds
Tax rate	10% of the rent. § 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 ten percent of the rent charged by the operator.
Who collects it	The operator collects the tax from each guest at the same time as the rent. § 3.28.050 · code text Each operator shall collect the tax imposed by this Chapter to the same extent and at the same time as the rent is collected from every transient.

Condo conversions

Martinez code What Martinez's code adds
Limits on conversions	One replacement rental unit for each converted unit, starting with the 11th unit. Applies: Applies to conversions of 11 or more rental units; an in-lieu fee may be requested instead. § 21.56.100 · code text The Applicant shall provide replacement rental dwelling units on a one-to-one basis for each rental dwelling unit proposed to be converted starting with the 11th unit. No replacement units are needed if current tenants buy at least 90% of the condo units. Applies: An exception to the replacement rule. § 21.56.100 · code text At least 90 percent of condominium units are purchased by current tenants.
Relocation help	3 months of fair market rent. Applies: Applies to tenants who do not buy, have lived there less than 2 years, and are not in default. § 21.56.060 · code text Residing on property for less than two years: equivalent to three months' worth of fair market rent. 4 months of fair market rent. Applies: Applies to tenants who do not buy, have lived there 2 years or more, and are not in default. § 21.56.060 · code text Residing on property for two years or longer: equivalent to four months' worth of fair market rent. $2,500 for each category that applies. Applies: Applies to tenants who are disabled, 60 or older, terminally ill, or single heads of household with minor children. § 21.56.060 · code text If more than one additional payment category applies, then the property owner shall provide payment of $2,500 for each category. Offer an available unit at the same rent. Applies: Applies to temporary moves for renovation, if the owner has other properties in Central Contra Costa County. § 21.56.060 · code text Offering an available unit at the same rent (if the property owner owns other properties within Central Contra Costa County as provided by the Contra Costa Transportation Authority). Pay moving costs to the temporary housing and back to the unit. Applies: Applies when a temporary move is needed for renovation or rehabilitation. § 21.56.060 · code text Paying for moving expenses to both the temporary housing and back to the subject dwelling unit. Pay temporary housing costs above the current monthly rent for the whole relocation. Applies: Applies when a temporary move is needed for renovation or rehabilitation. § 21.56.060 · code text Providing to pay for the cost of temporary housing in excess of their current monthly rent for the full duration of the relocation.
Notice to tenants	At least 60 calendar days before filing the conversion application. Applies: Applies to the notice of intent to convert sent to current tenants. § 21.56.050 · code text at least 60 calendar days prior to the time of the filing of an application for the conversion of rental units, the property owner shall send to each tenant of the rental units to be converted a notice Before taking any rent or deposit from rental applicants, starting 60 calendar days before the application is filed. Applies: Applies to the notice of intent to convert given to prospective tenants. § 21.56.050 · code text Commencing at a date not less than 60 calendar days prior to the submittal of an application for the conversion of rental units, the property owner shall give notice of such application to each person applying Within 10 calendar days after the application is filed. Applies: Notice that the formal conversion application has been filed. § 21.56.050 · code text Within 10 calendar days after the submittal of a formal application for the conversion of rental units to a condominium development, the property owner shall send to each tenant At least 10 calendar days' written notice in advance. Applies: Notice of the date, time and place of a public hearing. § 21.56.050 · code text That each tenant will be given at least 10 calendar days' prior written notice by the property owner of the date, time, and place of any public hearing held on the application. Within 10 calendar days of approval. Applies: Notice that the conversion was approved. § 21.56.050 · code text If a conversion application is approved, then the property owner must provide a notice of conversion approval to each tenant within 10 calendar days of the approval. At least 10 days before applying for the Public Report. Applies: Applies to the notice of the right to buy. § 21.56.050 · code text The notice of right to purchase shall be provided to each tenant at least 10 days prior to the submission of an application to the Department of Real Estate for a Public Report
Tenants' right to buy	At least 90 calendar days. Applies: The exclusive right to contract to buy, starting when the subdivision Public Report is issued. § 21.56.050 · code text This right shall run for a period of not less than 90 calendar days from the date of issuance of the subdivision Public Report issued by the California Department of Real Estate

Who this affects

TenantsLandlordsProperty managers

Frequently asked questions

How much can rent go up in Martinez?

State law: covered units are capped at 8.8% for increases from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027; Martinez has no rule of its own.

Does a landlord in Martinez need a reason to evict?

State law: after 12 months of lawful occupancy, the owner of a covered unit may end the tenancy only for a just cause.

Does a Martinez landlord have to pay relocation?

City rule: in condo conversions, a non-buying tenant gets 3 months of fair market rent, or 4 months after living there 2 years.

How much can a Martinez landlord charge for a security deposit?

Martinez has no local rule on this that we found (checked October 2026); state law applies: One month's rent, on top of the first month's rent (Civ. Code § 1950.5(c)(1), (c)(6)).

What is the hotel tax on short-term rentals in Martinez?

Martinez's code: 10% of the rent. (§ 3.28.030); The operator collects the tax from each guest at the same time as the rent. (§ 3.28.050).

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

Martinez's code: One replacement rental unit for each converted unit, starting with the 11th unit. (Applies to conversions of 11 or more rental units; an in-lieu fee may be requested instead.) (§ 21.56.100); No replacement units are needed if current tenants buy at least 90% of the condo units. (An exception to the replacement rule.) (§ 21.56.100).

General information, not legal advice.

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