Monterey County · Renting & eviction
Renting in Monterey County: the rules that apply
In unincorporated Monterey County, state law sets most renting rules: the county has no rent control or just-cause rule of its own. The county's Housing Code has a section on relocation.
Key points
- Rent increases: Unincorporated Monterey County has no rent rule of its own; state law caps increases on covered units at 8.6%.
- Increase limits: On covered units, state law limits increases to 5% plus cost-of-living change, or 10%, whichever is lower, over any 12 months.
- Just cause: Unincorporated Monterey County has no just-cause rule of its own; state law requires just cause after 12 months on covered units.
- Relocation pay: State law requires 1 month's rent for no-fault evictions on covered units; the county's Housing Code also has a relocation section.
- Ending a tenancy: State law requires 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than 1 year.
- Security deposits: State law limits deposits to 1 month's rent on top of the first month's rent, or 2 months for some small landlords.
Each rule below is marked Monterey County code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (extracted October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Monterey County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Monterey County have their own codes and their own pages.
Rent increases
CA state law Monterey County has no rule of its own on this, so California law 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 Monterey 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
Monterey County has a related local rule: Housing Code (§ 18.15.050). This page does not summarize it yet; read the text in the library. Where it does not apply, the state rule below does.
| 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. |
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Notices
We found no Monterey County rule on this in the Monterey County Municipal Code (extracted 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. |
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| 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 Monterey 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 Monterey 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 Monterey 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 Monterey 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 Monterey 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 →
Short-term rentals
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| Permit or registration |
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Hotel and short-term rental tax
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Other Monterey County rules on this
Monterey County's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Housing Code (§ 18.15.050)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much can rent go up in Monterey County?
Unincorporated Monterey County has no rent rule of its own; state law caps increases on covered units at 8.6%. On covered units, state law limits increases to 5% plus cost-of-living change, or 10%, whichever is lower, over any 12 months.
Does a landlord in Monterey County need a reason to evict?
Unincorporated Monterey County has no just-cause rule of its own; state law requires just cause after 12 months on covered units.
Does a Monterey County landlord have to pay relocation?
State law requires 1 month's rent for no-fault evictions on covered units; the county's Housing Code also has a relocation section. Monterey County also has a related rule: Housing Code (§ 18.15.050).
How much notice does a Monterey 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 1 year.
How much can a Monterey County landlord charge for a security deposit?
State law limits deposits to 1 month's rent on top of the first month's rent, or 2 months for some small landlords.
Can I rent out my home short-term in Monterey County?
Monterey County's code: Limited to certain rental types and zones. (Unincorporated inland areas: homestays and limited vacation rentals in designated zones; commercial vacation rentals with a use permit in designated zones.) (§ 21.64.290); Limited to certain rental types and zones. (Unincorporated coastal zone: homestays and limited vacation rentals in designated zones; commercial vacation rentals with a Coastal Development Permit in designated zones.) (§ 20.64.290).
What is the hotel tax on short-term rentals in Monterey County?
Monterey County's code: 10.5% of the rent charged by the operator. (Hotels in the unincorporated county.) (§ 5.40.030); The guest pays the tax to the hotel operator when the rent is paid. (§ 5.40.030).
General information, not legal advice.
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