Mendocino County · Renting & eviction
Renting in Mendocino County: the rules that apply
In unincorporated Mendocino County, county rules cover relocation and substitute housing for tenants who must leave because of unsafe or hazardous conditions. The county has no just-cause rule of its own, and other rent increases follow state law.
Key points
- Relocation pay: In unincorporated areas, the county requires 3 months of fair market rent plus utilities, or substitute housing, for unsafe-condition moves.
- Payment timing: Under county rules, relocation help is due when the order to vacate issues, or within 1 week of the eviction notice.
- Substitute units: Under county rules, a substitute unit's rent may not exceed the vacated unit's rent until 180 days after repairs or move-back, whichever is later.
- State cap: State law caps increases on covered units at 8.6% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
- Just cause: After 12 months of lawful occupancy, state law allows ending a tenancy on a covered unit only for a just cause.
- Ending a tenancy: State law requires 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than one year.
Each rule below is marked Mendocino County code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Mendocino County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Mendocino County have their own codes and their own pages.
Rent increases
| Floor or ceiling on the increase |
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|---|---|
| Units covered |
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CA state law Underneath, California law still applies. Rent cap right now: 8.6% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027 (5% plus 3.6% inflation) (Civ. Code § 1947.12(a)(1), (g)). California's statewide rent cap — the full state rule →
Eviction and just cause
CA state law Mendocino County 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
| Amount |
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|---|---|
| When it is paid |
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| When relocation is owed |
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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
We found no Mendocino County rule on this in the Mendocino County Municipal Code (checked 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. |
|---|---|
| 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 Mendocino County 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 Mendocino County 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 Mendocino County 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 Mendocino County 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 Mendocino County 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 →
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much can rent go up in Mendocino County?
Under county rules, a substitute unit's rent may not exceed the vacated unit's rent until 180 days after repairs or move-back, whichever is later. State law caps increases on covered units at 8.6% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
Does a landlord in Mendocino County need a reason to evict?
After 12 months of lawful occupancy, state law allows ending a tenancy on a covered unit only for a just cause.
Does a Mendocino County landlord have to pay relocation?
In unincorporated areas, the county requires 3 months of fair market rent plus utilities, or substitute housing, for unsafe-condition moves. Under county rules, relocation help is due when the order to vacate issues, or within 1 week of the eviction notice.
How much notice does a Mendocino County landlord have to give?
State law requires 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than one year.
How much can a Mendocino County landlord charge for a security deposit?
Mendocino County 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)).
General information, not legal advice.
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