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Palo Alto · Renting & eviction

Notices in Palo Alto

City rule: every lease or written change of terms must include a renter-rights summary and the mediation and retaliation notice.

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Key points

  • Notices: City rule: every lease or written change of terms must include a renter-rights summary and the mediation and retaliation notice.

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

What Palo Alto's code says

Palo Alto code What Palo Alto's code adds
What a notice must say
  • A summary of renter rights, including protection against retaliation, plus the facilitation administrator's name, address, and phone.
    Applies: With every rental agreement, lease, or written change to tenancy terms.
    § 9.72.070 · code text
    Every rental agreement, lease, or other written document evidencing or changing the terms of tenancy for a residential rental property to which this chapter applies shall include or be accompanied by the following: A notice summarizing the rights afforded by this chapter, including but not limited to the protection against retaliation; and the name, address and telephone number of the facilitation administrator.
  • In capital letters at least 14-point: the right to mediation of landlord-tenant disputes, that mediation must be requested within 21 days of learning the facts, the city facilitation administrator's contact, and protection from retaliation
    Applies: in every rental agreement, lease or written change of tenancy terms
    § 9.72.070 · code text
    The notification shall be capitalized text at least fourteen points in size and shall state:
  • In English, Spanish, Chinese, and Russian, using the city's translated form.
    Applies: For the mediation and retaliation notice in rental agreements and leases.
    § 9.72.070 · code text
    The notification shall be provided in English, Spanish, Chinese and Russian in the translated form prepared and published by the facilitation administrator.

The California rule underneath

CA state law Underneath, California law still 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% (Civ. Code § 827(b)(2), (b)(3)(A)). Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy (landlord): 60 days' notice; 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than one year (Civ. Code § 1946.1(b), (c)).

Who this affects

TenantsLandlordsProperty managers

Frequently asked questions

How much notice does a Palo Alto landlord have to give?

City rule: every lease or written change of terms must include a renter-rights summary and the mediation and retaliation notice.

General information, not legal advice.

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Palo Alto Municipal Code — full text