Redwood City · Renting & eviction

Renting in Redwood City: the rules that apply

Redwood City has its own just-cause and relocation rules, but no rent control of its own, so state law sets the rent cap. Redwood City also has no notice, deposit, retaliation, harassment, repair or entry rule of its own.

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Key points

Rent increases: Redwood City has no rent control; state law caps increases on covered units at 8.8% from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
Just cause: Redwood City requires a just cause to end a tenancy after 12 months of continuous, lawful occupancy.
Relocation pay: For any no-fault eviction, Redwood City requires 1 month's rent as a payment or rent waiver, within 15 calendar days of the notice.
Extra assistance: Redwood City requires 3 months of Fair Market Rent for eligible no-fault households, up to 4 for special-circumstances households, minus the 1-month payment.
Owner move-in: Redwood City's owner move-in cause requires the owner or family member to live there at least 12 continuous months, moving in within 90 days.
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.

Each rule below is marked Redwood City 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 Redwood City 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

Redwood City code What Redwood City's code adds
When protection starts	12 months of continuous, lawful occupancy. § 42.5 · code text after a tenant has continuously and lawfully occupied a rental unit for twelve (12) months, the landlord shall not terminate the tenancy without just cause Only once every tenant has 12 months of continuous, lawful occupancy, or at least 1 tenant has 24 months. Applies: When adult tenants are added to the lease before an existing tenant reaches 24 months of continuous, lawful occupancy. § 42.5 · code text All of the tenants have continuously and lawfully occupied the rental unit for twelve (12) months or more.
Allowed at-fault reasons	Default in the payment of rent; breach of a material lease term; nuisance; waste; refusal to renew or extend a qualifying written lease; criminal activity by the tenant on the property, or criminal activity or a criminal threat directed at the landlord on or off the property; unlawful assignment or subletting; refusal to allow authorized entry; unlawful use of the rental unit or property; failure of an employee, agent, or licensee to vacate after termination; failure to deliver possession after notice or accepted surrender offer § 42.5 · code text At-fault just cause, which means any of the following:
Allowed no-fault reasons	Owner or qualifying family member intends to occupy the rental unit as a primary residence for a minimum of twelve (12) continuous months Applies: for leases entered into on or after July 1, 2020 (July 1, 2022 for mobilehomes), only if the tenant agrees in writing or the lease allows owner/family move-in; not allowed if the intended occupant already lives on the property or a similar unit is vacant; the occupant must move in within 90 days § 42.5 · code text Intent to occupy the rental unit by the owner or their spouse, domestic partner, children, grandchildren, parents, or grandparents for a minimum of twelve (12) continuous months as that person's primary residence.

CA state law Underneath, California law still 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

Redwood City code What Redwood City's code adds
Extra for protected tenants	1 more month of Fair Market Rent, up to 4 months total, minus the 1-month payment or waiver already given. Applies: Special-circumstances households displaced by a no-fault eviction. § 42.6 · code text Special-circumstances households, as defined in Section 42.3(J), will be paid one (1) additional month of Fair Market Rent for a maximum of four (4) months' Fair Market Rent minus the amount paid pursuant to Subsection (A) above.
Amount	1 month of the rent in effect when the landlord gave the termination notice. Applies: A direct payment or a waiver of the final month's rent, for a no-fault eviction. § 42.6 · code text The amount of relocation assistance or rent waiver shall be equal to one (1) month of the tenant's rent that was in effect when the landlord issued the notice to terminate the tenancy. 3 months of Fair Market Rent in cash, minus the 1-month payment or waiver already given. Applies: Eligible households displaced by a no-fault eviction; Fair Market Rent is HUD's San Mateo County figure for the same bedroom count. § 42.6 · code text The cash equivalent of three (3) months of Fair Market Rent shall be paid to the eligible residential household minus the amount paid pursuant to Subsection (A) above. A full refund of the tenant's security deposit. Applies: Eligible and special-circumstances households; repair money for tenant damage may be kept if the unit is reoccupied before renovation or demolition. § 42.6 · code text A full refund of a tenant's security deposit, except for funds that may be necessary to repair tenant's damage to property in rental units that will be reoccupied prior to undergoing renovation or demolition. A 60-day subscription to a rental agency service. Applies: Eligible and special-circumstances households. § 42.6 · code text A sixty-day subscription to a rental agency service.
Exemptions	The extra assistance does not apply if the City approved an alternative mitigation plan. Applies: Eligible and special-circumstances households. § 42.6 · code text unless an alternative mitigation strategy as defined in Subsection (E) below, has been approved by the City
When it is paid	Within 15 calendar days after the notice is served. Applies: The basic 1-month payment owed on any no-fault eviction. § 42.6 · code text Any relocation assistance under Section 42.6(A) shall be provided within fifteen (15) calendar days of service of the notice. On or before the move-out date stated in the termination notice. Applies: Payments to eligible or special-circumstances households under the extra assistance rules. § 42.6 · code text The landlord shall directly pay the relocation assistance payments to eligible residential households on or before the tenant's move-out date as stated in the notice of termination, and provide proof of payment to the City Manager's Office.
When relocation is owed	The landlord gives a termination notice for a no-fault just cause reason, whatever the tenant's income. § 42.6 · code text If a landlord issues a termination notice based on a no-fault just cause described in Section 42.5(B)(2) to a tenant of a rental unit covered by this Chapter, the landlord shall, regardless of the tenant's income, at the landlord's option, do one (1) of the following:

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 Redwood City rule on this in the Redwood City Municipal Code (checked 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. 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 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. Civ. Code § 1946.1(b), (c)
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) Civ. Code § 1946.1(b)
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. Civ. Code § 1946.1(d)
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. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161(2)
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 Code Civ. Proc. § 1161(3)
No fee for serving notices	A landlord may not charge the tenant a fee for serving or posting a notice Civ. Code § 1946.1(i)

Security deposits

CA state law Redwood City 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 Redwood City 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 Redwood City 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 Redwood City 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 Redwood City 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

Redwood City code What Redwood City's code adds
Allowed	Limited. Allowed in a host's principal residence. Applies: Not in Single Room Occupancy Facilities or Group Homes. § 31.3 · code text Short-term rental uses shall be permitted in any principal residence except Single Room Occupancy Facilities and Group Homes subject to the requirements of this Section, including compliance with the operating standards, registration, Transient Occupancy Tax payments, and recordkeeping obligations. Only existing short-term rentals registered with the City before January 1, 2020. Applies: Accessory dwelling units; all other short-term rentals in accessory dwelling units are not allowed. § 31.3 · code text Except as provided for in this Section, all other short-term rental uses shall be prohibited, except for existing short-term rentals in accessory dwelling units that were registered with the City prior to January 1, 2020.
Nights per year	No more than 120 days per calendar year. Applies: Unhosted rentals of a principal residence, with no host present. § 31.3 · code text A principal residence may be occupied as a short-term rental for no more than one hundred twenty (120) days per calendar year where no host is present. No limit on days. Applies: Hosted rentals, where the host is on the property at all times between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. § 31.3 · code text There shall be no limit on the number of days a principal residence may be occupied as a short-term rental where the host is present.
Permit or registration	City short-term rental registration and a permit or license number are required. Applies: Before advertising or offering the principal residence for rent. § 31.3 · code text Prior to advertising or making available the principal residence for renting, hosts shall register their principal residence as a short-term rental with the City.
Primary residence	Yes. Short-term rentals are allowed only in the host's principal residence. § 31.3 · code text Short-term rental uses shall be permitted in any principal residence except Single Room Occupancy Facilities and Group Homes subject to the requirements of this Section

Hotel and short-term rental tax

Redwood City code What Redwood City's code adds
Short-term rentals	Yes; a hosting platform that collects the tax has the same duties as an operator. § 32.80 · code text Specifically, all hosting platforms collecting the transient occupancy tax shall have the same obligations as any operator under Section 32.78 when collecting on behalf of any operator.
Tax rate	12% of the rent charged by the operator. § 32.75 · code text For the privilege of occupancy in any hotel, each transient is subject to and shall pay a tax in the amount of twelve percent (12%) of the rent charged by the operator.
Who collects it	The operator collects the tax from each guest with the rent and lists it separately on the receipt. § 32.77 · code text Each operator shall collect the tax imposed by this Article to the same extent and at the time as the rent is collected from every transient. A hosting platform that collects the tax for an operator has the same duties as the operator. Applies: Applies when collecting on behalf of an operator. § 32.80 · code text Specifically, all hosting platforms collecting the transient occupancy tax shall have the same obligations as any operator under Section 32.78 when collecting on behalf of any operator.

Who this affects

TenantsLandlordsProperty managers

Frequently asked questions

How much can rent go up in Redwood City?

Redwood City has no rent control; state law caps increases on covered units at 8.8% from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.

Does a landlord in Redwood City need a reason to evict?

Redwood City requires a just cause to end a tenancy after 12 months of continuous, lawful occupancy. Redwood City's owner move-in cause requires the owner or family member to live there at least 12 continuous months, moving in within 90 days.

Does a Redwood City landlord have to pay relocation?

For any no-fault eviction, Redwood City requires 1 month's rent as a payment or rent waiver, within 15 calendar days of the notice. Redwood City requires 3 months of Fair Market Rent for eligible no-fault households, up to 4 for special-circumstances households, minus the 1-month payment.

How much notice does a Redwood City 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 Redwood City landlord charge for a security deposit?

Redwood City 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)).

Can I rent out my home short-term in Redwood City?

Redwood City's code: Limited. Allowed in a host's principal residence. (Not in Single Room Occupancy Facilities or Group Homes.) (§ 31.3); Only existing short-term rentals registered with the City before January 1, 2020. (Accessory dwelling units; all other short-term rentals in accessory dwelling units are not allowed.) (§ 31.3).

What is the hotel tax on short-term rentals in Redwood City?

Redwood City's code: Yes; a hosting platform that collects the tax has the same duties as an operator. (§ 32.80); 12% of the rent charged by the operator. (§ 32.75).

General information, not legal advice.

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