Skip to content

Point Arena · Renting & eviction

Renting in Point Arena: the rules that apply

Point Arena has no rent control or eviction rules of its own and adds no other renting rules to state law. State law governs rent increases, eviction, notices, deposits and repairs; its rent cap and just-cause rule apply to covered units only.

Key points

  • Rent cap: State law caps covered units at 8.6% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027, measured over any 12 months.
  • Cap limits: The state cap over any 12 months is 5% plus statewide inflation or 10%, whichever is lower, with no more than two increases.
  • Just cause: After 12 months' lawful occupancy, state law lets a covered unit's owner end the tenancy only for a just cause stated in the notice.
  • Ending notice: State law requires 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than one year.
  • Relocation pay: On covered units, no-fault just causes require one month's rent as payment or rent waiver, paid within 15 calendar days of the notice.
  • Security deposit: State law caps deposits at one month's rent, or up to two for qualifying small landlords, returned within 21 calendar days after move-out.

Each rule below is marked Point Arena code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (extracted October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Rent increases

CA state law Point Arena 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 Point Arena 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

CA state law Point Arena has no rule of its own on this, so California law 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 Point Arena rule on this in the Point Arena Municipal Code (extracted October 2026). The state rule below applies.

CA state law California law
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 Point Arena 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 Point Arena 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 Point Arena 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 Point Arena 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 Point Arena 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

Point Arena code What Point Arena's code adds
Allowed
  • Limited.
    Applies: Vacation home rentals in a legal home, with a permit and city business license. The council may cap the number of licenses.
    § 5.30.030 · code text
    A vacation home rental may only be offered in a legal dwelling unit.
  • Limited.
    Applies: Home-shares, only in space meant for people to live in.
    § 5.30.040 · code text
    A home-share may only be offered in a space intended for human habitation.
  • No.
    Applies: Vacation home rentals on properties with an ADU or junior ADU.
    § 5.30.030 · code text
    Vacation home rentals are prohibited on properties containing accessory dwelling units and/or junior accessory dwelling units.
  • No.
    Applies: ADUs and junior ADUs created by a ministerial permit.
    § 5.30.040 · code text
    Accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units created by a ministerial permit under Government Code Section 65852.2e are prohibited from use as short term rentals.
Cap on rentals
  • No more than 1 home-share property per person or entity in the city.
    Applies: Home-shares.
    § 5.30.040 · code text
    No person or entity may operate more than one home-share property within the city of Point Arena.
  • The city council sets the number and location of licensed vacation home rentals by resolution.
    Applies: When a license limit is in effect. The commercial core zone is exempt.
    § 5.30.030 · code text
    To preserve the town character, the city council shall adjust by resolution the number and distribution of licensed vacation home rentals allowed at any one time.
Permit or registration
  • Yes. A business license is required.
    Applies: Vacation home rentals and home-shares.
    § 5.30.050 · code text
    Business License is required to operate a vacation home rental or Home Share in the city of Point Arena.
  • Yes. A permit to operate is required.
    Applies: Vacation home rentals.
    § 5.30.030 · code text
    The operator/host/owner of a vacation home rental shall include the following information in application for the permit to operate:
  • Yes. A license to operate is required.
    Applies: Home-shares.
    § 5.30.040 · code text
    The operator/host/owner of a home-share shall include the following information in application for the license to operate:
Primary residence
  • Yes.
    Applies: Home-shares. The primary resident must live on site during the whole stay.
    § 5.30.040 · code text
    No person shall provide or offer for rent any licensed home-share dwelling unit, in whole or in part, unless the primary resident is living onsite at the residence throughout the stay.

Hotel and short-term rental tax

Point Arena code What Point Arena's code adds
Stays not taxed
  • Stays of more than 30 days are not taxed.
    § 3.30.030 · code text
    there is levied an occupancy tax on the privilege of occupying a room or rooms in any hotel as defined in PAMC 3.30.020(1) unless such occupancy is for a period of more than 30 days.
Tax rate
  • 12% of the room rent.
    Applies: Effective April 1, 2017.
    § 3.30.030 · code text
    Effective April 1, 2017, the amount of the tax shall be 12 percent of the room rent charged by the hotel operator.
Who collects it
  • The hotel operator collects the full tax from the guest when renting the room.
    § 3.30.030 · code text
    It is the responsibility of the hotel operator to collect the occupancy tax in full at the time of renting a room or rooms to a transient.

Who this affects

TenantsLandlordsProperty managers

Frequently asked questions

How much can rent go up in Point Arena?

State law caps covered units at 8.6% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027, measured over any 12 months. The state cap over any 12 months is 5% plus statewide inflation or 10%, whichever is lower, with no more than two increases.

Does a landlord in Point Arena need a reason to evict?

After 12 months' lawful occupancy, state law lets a covered unit's owner end the tenancy only for a just cause stated in the notice.

Does a Point Arena landlord have to pay relocation?

On covered units, no-fault just causes require one month's rent as payment or rent waiver, paid within 15 calendar days of the notice.

How much notice does a Point Arena 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 Point Arena landlord charge for a security deposit?

State law caps deposits at one month's rent, or up to two for qualifying small landlords, returned within 21 calendar days after move-out.

Can I rent out my home short-term in Point Arena?

Point Arena's code: Limited. (Vacation home rentals in a legal home, with a permit and city business license. The council may cap the number of licenses.) (§ 5.30.030); Limited. (Home-shares, only in space meant for people to live in.) (§ 5.30.040).

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

Point Arena's code: Stays of more than 30 days are not taxed. (§ 3.30.030); 12% of the room rent. (Effective April 1, 2017.) (§ 3.30.030).

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Point Arena property

Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.

Ask your question

More on Point Arena