Pittsburg · Renting & eviction
Renting in Pittsburg: the rules that apply
Pittsburg has no rent control, just cause or notice rules of its own, so state law covers rent increases and evictions. The city's own rule makes the owner responsible for relocation costs when a rental property is found unsafe to occupy.
Key points
- Rent increases: Pittsburg has no rent cap of its own; state law limits increases on covered units to 8.8% for August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
- Just cause: Pittsburg has no just cause rule of its own; state law requires a just cause after 12 months of lawful occupancy in covered units.
- Unsafe property: Pittsburg makes the owner responsible for relocation costs, as provided by law, when a rental property is found unsafe to occupy.
- No-fault relocation: State law requires 1 month's rent within 15 calendar days of notice for no-fault evictions of covered units.
- Ending a tenancy: Under state law, ending a tenancy takes 60 days' notice, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there under 1 year.
- Deposits: Pittsburg has no deposit rule of its own; state law limits deposits to 1 month's rent, or 2 months for some small landlords.
Each rule below is marked Pittsburg 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 Pittsburg 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 Pittsburg 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
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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 Pittsburg rule on this in the Pittsburg 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 Pittsburg 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 Pittsburg 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 Pittsburg 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 Pittsburg 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 Pittsburg 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
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| Who collects it |
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Condo conversions
| Limits on conversions |
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| Relocation help |
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| Notice to tenants |
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| Tenants' right to buy |
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Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much can rent go up in Pittsburg?
Pittsburg has no rent cap of its own; state law limits increases on covered units to 8.8% for August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
Does a landlord in Pittsburg need a reason to evict?
Pittsburg has no just cause rule of its own; state law requires a just cause after 12 months of lawful occupancy in covered units.
Does a Pittsburg landlord have to pay relocation?
Pittsburg makes the owner responsible for relocation costs, as provided by law, when a rental property is found unsafe to occupy. State law requires 1 month's rent within 15 calendar days of notice for no-fault evictions of covered units.
How much notice does a Pittsburg landlord have to give?
Under state law, ending a tenancy takes 60 days' notice, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there under 1 year.
How much can a Pittsburg landlord charge for a security deposit?
Pittsburg has no deposit rule of its own; state law limits deposits to 1 month's rent, or 2 months for some small landlords.
What is the hotel tax on short-term rentals in Pittsburg?
Pittsburg's code: at most 12% of the rent (the City Council sets the exact rate by resolution) (§ 3.12.030); Each operator collects the tax from every guest at the same time as the rent. (§ 3.12.050).
What happens to tenants when a Pittsburg building converts to condos?
Pittsburg's code: A yearly unit limit set by city council resolution; applications are taken first come, first served. (Maximum apartment units approved for condo conversion in any one calendar year.) (§ 17.44.070); Moving expenses of 2 times the monthly rent. (Tenant households living there when a complete tentative map application is accepted; paid within 14 days after moving.) (§ 17.44.050).
General information, not legal advice.
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